Introduction

Excessive noise exposure in the workplace can have severe consequences on employee health, productivity, and overall well-being. Protecting your employees’ hearing is not only a legal obligation, but it is a moral duty and a crucial investment in the future success of your business. In this blog, we look at noise exposure, its effects on employees, and provide actionable tips for employers to manage and mitigate risk effectively.

Identifying a noise problem in the workplace

First, it’s important to understand what constitutes excessive noise exposure. Simply put, it’s regular exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels (dB). This can stem from various sources in the workplace and prolonged exposure to these noises can lead to hearing damage, impacting not just hearing sensitivity but also overall health. If any of the following apply, it may be time to act:

• Employees are subject to intrusive noise, such as a busy street, vacuum cleaner, a crowded restaurant or a noisy office floor.
• Staff need to raise their voice to have a normal conversation when two metres apart.
• There is regular usage of power tools or machinery.
• Work involves noisy tasks, like in construction, manufacturing, foundry work, recycling, woodworking, demolition, road repair and plastics processing.
• Employees are in the vicinity of loud impacts or explosions.

What are the effects of excessive noise exposure?

The impact of excessive noise exposure on employees can be vast and debilitating. From hearing loss and tinnitus to fatigue and stress, the negative impacts can be wide-reaching and long-lasting. Symptoms can include ringing in the ears, muffled or distorted hearing and difficulty hearing speech. Employees may have trouble understanding conversations, leading to communication breakdown and reduced work efficiency. Long-term exposure to excessive noise can result in chronic stress, fatigue, and decreased cognitive performance. Moreover, the effects of noise-induced hearing damage are often irreversible, emphasising the need for early intervention and prevention.

What can employers do?

Prevention:

• Conduct regular noise assessments to identify areas with excessive noise levels.
• Implement engineering controls, such as soundproofing, to reduce noise emissions from machinery and equipment.
• Encourage the use of noise-cancelling headphones for employees working in noisy environments.
• Schedule breaks or rotations to ensure employees are not exposed to high levels of noise for extended periods.
• Switch to quieter equipment or improve work processes to reduce noise levels.
• Adjust the layout of workspaces to create quiet workstations.

Hearing protection:

• Provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) like earplugs or earmuffs.
• Train employees on the correct use and maintenance of hearing protection devices.
• Create designated quiet areas where employees can take short breaks from noisy environments.

Education and awareness:

• Educate employees about the risks of excessive noise exposure and how to identify early symptoms of hearing damage.
• Encourage employees to report any noise-related concerns promptly.

Conclusion

By identifying potential noise problems, implementing preventive measures, and providing appropriate hearing protection, employers can create a safer and healthier work environment. Prioritising the well-being of employees not only safeguards their health but also enhances productivity, job satisfaction, and overall company performance. Let’s work together to ensure that our workplaces are environments where employees can thrive without compromising their health. To find out about how we can help you create a safer work environment, e-mail our team at info@mohs.co.uk