Seven tips for hearing protection

For those affected, work-related noise induced hearing loss can be disabling, interfering with communications and concentration, causing stress and anxiety which in turn can contribute to other health issues such as high blood pressure. While the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says data on this area is limited, it remains one of the commonest occupational health complaints, accounting for 75% of all health-related civil claims in industry.

Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce noise and noise exposure in the workplace and, most often, a combination of methods works best.

1. Noise assessment

How to recognise a noise problem in the workplace? This is an interesting dilemma. According to the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Noise Regulations), the levels at which employers must assess the risk to workers’ health and provide them with information and training is 80 decibels (dB). This is considered the lower noise exposure action level. The upper action level is set at 85 dB, meaning practical measures must be attempted to reduce noise levels via engineering controls or other technical methods and hearing protection becomes mandatory if the noise cannot be controlled by these means. 87 dB is the exposure limit value which no worker can be exposed to (factoring in hearing protection). Active noise monitoring can provide an early indication of a noise problem and is preferable to just waiting for the trigger levels to be reached.

Noise assessments should be undertaken by somebody who understands the regulations and is competent in identifying where the risks are and who they are likely to affect. Findings should be compared against the Noise Regulations noise exposure action levels. It is important to record results and put together an action plan, outlining what measures can be taken to comply with the law. Regular review of risk assessments is also necessary and the HSE recommends they are looked at whenever workplaces changes are made and preferably no less than every two years.

2. Eliminating the noise at source

Eliminating noise at source should always be the first measure for reducing the effects of damaging noise exposure with the simplest example being to remove the offending noisy work process or machinery altogether. However, this won’t be appropriate for every situation or workplace. Outsourcing the noisy operations, ergo making it someone else’s problem, could be a possibility for some businesses while specific procurement decisions and workplace design can all lead to noise elimination.

Noise risk management becomes far simpler if the amount of employees that are exposed to dangerous noise levels are limited. Planning where the noisy operations take place and segregating them from other work activities is an obvious solution. Walls, screens, barriers and distance can reduce noise exposure considerably and duration of exposure can be reduced by rotating shift patterns or by the provision of a noise refuge.

Substituting noisy machinery for quieter options is another option when elimination is not possible.

3. Machinery

Whenever new equipment or work processes are introduced, the impact of noise should be a consideration. Implementing a positive noise reducing purchasing policy avoids the need to apply retrofit noise control solutions.

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 stipulate suppliers are under obligation to make their products generate as little noise as possible. Therefore ahead of acquiring new machinery it is prudent to liaise with the manufacturer to review installation instructions, maintenance arrangements and understand the likely noise levels under the specific conditions in which the machinery will be operated. Where it is necessary to buy noisy machines then keep a record of the reasons why that decision was taken as it will help influence what improvements need to be made in the future. The HSE Buy Quiet guide for buying quieter equipment provides further advice.

All is not lost if it becomes necessary to retrofit existing equipment. Damping pads, sound barrier matting and other absorbent acoustic materials are in widespread use, especially to line resonant areas and reduce noise generating gaps and impact.

4. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Hearing protection is useful but as with all PPE it should be the last line of defence. The aim is to eliminate or reduce the risk to hearing by all other means so far as is possible first. The reason being that hearing protection can offer its own set of risks – ‘over protection’ reduces the ability for employees to communicate effectively with each other, be alert to impending hazards or hear warning signals.

The law says that employers are required to provide hearing protection to employees if they ask for it and if the noise exposure exceeds the upper noise action levels. With that comes the necessary requirements to ensure all PPE is well-maintained, staff are trained on how and when to use it and the right protection has been selected for the right situation. A targeted approach rather than a blanket approach is useful here as it means hearing protection is only worn when necessary. The alternative can lead to isolation in workers or a reluctance to use protection altogether. Be sure to factor in how well hearing protection works alongside other PPE.

5. Workplace signage

In loud environments, noise hazard signs are important for helping workers identify where the hearing protection zones are and where wearing noise protection is compulsory. Innovative noise-activated warning signs go a step further – linking to the noise itself and triggered to illuminate once noise reaches above a set level of 80 dB, for example. This can be especially useful in workplaces with multiple zones and varying levels of noise and to help manage the use or overuse of PPE.

6. Health surveillance

Damage to hearing is hard to recognise due to the fact it builds up gradually but early intervention is key to ensuring the best outcome. It’s important to teach employees how to recognise early warning signs of hearing damage in themselves such as ringing or buzzing, difficulty in understanding or keeping up with conversation, feeling tired or stressed at having to concentrate on listening and being unable to distinguish or hear various sounds.

Hearing checks form part of an ongoing health surveillance programme and they must be provided if employees are going to be regularly exposed to the upper noise exposure action values or if they are already at risk from hearing damage. Ideally they will be done for new starters to establish a baseline, then annually and then at three yearly intervals after the first two years of employment.

7. Training

Where employees are exposed to noise likely to be at or above the lower action value, the employer has a duty to provide them with the correct information, instruction, and training. This will include explanation of the types of risks they could face, the prevention and control measures that have been taken, what the noise action values are, the provision of PPE and how to use it, the company health surveillance policy and how their hearing health will be monitored throughout their employment.

For further information on controlling the risks of noise at work, review the published HSE guidance INDG362 Noise at Work

David Ford is compliance lead at CHAS

https://www.chas.co.uk/