Archive for August, 2010
Recognising The Risk Of Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Fighting to get employers to face up to their responsibilities of safeguarding their workforce, driving home legislation, winning compensation for noise induced hearing loss – this can all be undone if the employees themselves choose to ignore the warning signs and run the risk of hearing damage.
Increased awareness of Health & Safety legislation, and greater individual responsibility within the workplace, are two key factors helping to protect employees avoid the risk of illness, injury and fatality on a daily basis, whatever the circumstances.
The susceptibility to, and extent of hearing damage caused, by a one-time exposure to loud sound, as well as by repeated exposure to sounds at various loudness levels over an extended period of time, is not always properly appreciated.
Motorbike Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Exposure to hazardous, excessive levels of noise at work has increased substantially over the past 50 years and it is thought that 1.3 million workers in the UK are exposed to noise levels over 90 dB which lead to industrial deafness, as a direct consequence. Concerned organisations like The Trades Union Congress (TUC) have suggested that there are new work environment and occupational categories to seriously consider, which may create further risks to hearing, such as call centres and motorcycle couriers.
Estimates for the number of people in the UK suffering from work-related noise-induced hearing loss can vary from around 75,000 to over 500,000. As a result of health & safety compliance legislation, awareness education, and injury compensation claims, improvements have been slowly made over the years, although widespread workplace noise levels still exist.