Gardening professionals could be unwittingly endangering their health and that of their clients due to the excessive noise pollution generated by their equipment, according to new research.
Conducted as part of EGO Power Plus’s Challenge 2025 initiative, the research has revealed that noise pollution emanating from petrol-powered outdoor equipment, commonly used in gardening, significantly exceeds the daily exposure limit of 87dB(A) set by the UK Government’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
In an independent investigation led by EGO and Earlsmere, a reputable vibration and noise testing company, noise levels produced by both petrol and battery-powered rotary mowers, hedge trimmers, grass trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws were compared. The results were striking – petrol tools were up to three times louder than their electric counterparts. Of all the tools tested, four petrol-powered devices exceeded the daily noise exposure limit of 87dB(A, with two producing noise levels in excess of 100dB(A). In contrast, two battery-powered tools operated well within or below the recognized limits.
Decibels are measured logarithmically, with each increase of 10dB indicating a tenfold increase in intensity. A mere 3dB increase doubles the loudness.
Emma Gayler, Ambassador for Challenge 2025, expressed her concern: “Our latest research is clear evidence of the potential damage petrol-powered outdoor tools could be having on people’s health and wellbeing.
“Many gardening professionals are still working with petrol-powered tools for hours upon hours every day, and without the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) to help reduce the impact of the noise levels these tools generate or switching to a quieter battery alternative, many could be doing more damage than they realise – not only to themselves but their colleagues and customers too”
Reports have linked noise pollution to various health issues, including cardiovascular troubles, cognitive impairment, stress, anxiety, and depression. Recent findings by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee have highlighted the increased risk of stroke and heart disease due to noise pollution. Britain loses the equivalent of 130,000 healthy life years annually due to noise pollution. While the government acknowledges the need to regulate noise pollution, no specific targets have been set.
Emma continued, “Far more awareness needs to be made across the industry to help protect gardening professionals from the dangers of being exposed to high levels of noise pollution. A viable alternative exists with battery powered tools providing the same level of performance and up to 3 times quieter.”
Furthermore, the Health and Safety Executive advises employers to consider how new or replacement machinery can reduce workplace noise levels. EGO’s recent testing underscores the stark contrast between petrol and battery-powered outdoor equipment, with the latter offering a much quieter and safer alternative to protect gardening professionals today and for generations to come.
EGO’s Challenge 2025 campaign, launched in 2020, educates and empowers domestic and professional outdoor power equipment users, urging them to switch from petrol-powered tools. The initiative highlights the concerning statistics it has uncovered along the way.
For more information about EGO’s Challenge 2025 initiative, please visit www.challenge2025.eu.
Photo by Mary Taylor: https://www.pexels.com/photo/unrecognizable-man-with-hands-on-head-6009259/