What is the problem with noise at work?
Noise is part of everyday life, but too much noise can cause permanent and disabling hearing damage. This can be hearing loss that gets worse over time, damage caused by sudden, extremely loud noises, or tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears).
With hearing damage, conversation becomes difficult or impossible, your family complains about the television being too loud, you have trouble using the telephone, and you may be unable to sleep. By the time you notice, it is probably too late. Noise exposure may also cause stress, high blood pressure and sleep loss.
However, there is no need for your hearing to be damaged by your work – your employer has a duty to protect you and should be working on measures to reduce the risk. You can play a part in helping your employer to protect you.
Is there a noise problem where I work?
If any of the following apply, your line manager would be expected to be doing something about noise:
- the noise is intrusive – like a busy street, a vacuum cleaner or a crowded restaurant – or worse, for most of the working day;
- you have to raise your voice to have a normal conversation when about 2 m apart, for at least part of the day;
- you use noisy powered tools or machinery for over half an hour a day;
- the type of work is known to have noisy tasks, eg construction, demolition or road repair; woodworking; plastics processing; engineering; textile manufacture; general fabrication; forging or stamping; paper or board making; canning or bottling; foundries; waste and recycling;
- there are noises because of impacts (such as hammering, drop forging, pneumatic impact tools etc), explosive sources such as cartridge-operated tools or detonators, or guns.
Another sign that something should be done about the noise is having muffled hearing at the end of the day, even if it is better by the next morning. If you have any ear or hearing trouble, let your Supervisor/Line Manager know.
What is a hearing protection zone?
Where possible managers should have a hearing protection zone, where the use of hearing protection should be considered compulsory e.g. an area of stores but this, will vary greatly according to the circumstances of work. For the sake of simplicity and ensuring the protection of the hearing of staff, it is recommended that that all staff working in a team where noisy power tools are in operation should be required to wear hearing protection during the use of those tools. This should also apply to Response Repairs staff working as individuals on site.
What do Line Managers/Supervisors have to do?
Formal, documented risk assessment should be carried out if any individual works in an area exceeding 80 dB on a regular basis (e.g. 4 hours or more, most days) or if noise levels exceed 85dB, even if exposure is infrequent or irregular.
To give you some idea of the noise levels, a tractor, a power mower and a hand drill are each likely to generate at least 90dB(A); a chain saw may be well over 100dB(A) Working in an environment of 80 dB for eight hours will result in exposure at the lower exposure action value.
Manager’s should be looking at:
- using quieter equipment or a different, quieter process;
- engineering/technical changes to reduce the noise at source;
- using screens, barriers, enclosures or absorbent materials;
- laying out of the workplace to create quiet workstations/work areas;
- improved ways of working to reduce noise levels
- limiting the time you spend in noisy areas.
What do I have to do as an employee?
- Co-operate Help your employer to do what is needed to protect your hearing. Make sure you use properly any noise-control devices and PPE and follow any working methods that are put in place.
- Wear any hearing protection you are given Wear it properly (you should be trained how to do this), and make sure you wear it all the time when you are doing noisy work, and when you are in hearing protection zones. Taking it off even for a short while really reduces the overall protection you get, meaning your hearing could still be damaged
- Look after your hearing protection Your manager should tell you how to look after it and where you can get it from. Make sure you understand what you need to do.
- Have regular hearing checks It is in your interest that any signs of damage to your hearing are detected as soon as possible, and certainly before the damage becomes disabling.
- Report any problems Report any problems with PPE or equipment or your hearing straight away. Let your line manager and any workplace representative know.
- If you are working in a tenants home where there are noisy tasks please close doors to the area to reduce the amount of noise and ideally the tenant should be in another room away from the tasks.
- Check you have the instructions for correct use of your hearing protection and know how to fit it correctly. If you have not been given this information please speak to your line manager
- Think about practical things YOU can do to reduce noise to you, colleagues and tenants who may be affected. A good way is to close doors in tenant’s home when you are carrying out noisy tasks which will help reduce the amount of noise reverberation.
Personal hearing protection
Hearing protection such as earmuffs and earplugs is your last line of defence against damage. Your employer should provide it, and train you how to use it and how to get replacements. There are many different types and designs available, and your employer should consult you and offer a choice.
Earmuffs They should totally cover your ears, fit tightly and have no gaps around the seals. Don’t let hair, jewellery, glasses, hats etc interfere with the seal. Keep the seals and the insides clean. Don’t stretch the headband – the tension is crucial to protection. Helmet-mounted earmuffs can need particular care to get a good seal around your ears.
Earplugs They go right in the ear canal, not just across it. Practise fitting them and get help if you are having trouble. Clean your hands before you fit earplugs, and don’t share them. Some types you use only once, others can be re-used and even washed – make sure you know which type you have. Hygiene is an important factor Pre-molded earplugs should be washed, disposable plugs should be discarded after each shift or if they become dirty, earmuff cushions should be wiped off regularly, hearing protection should not be used when you have an ear infection
Semi-inserts/canal caps These are held in or across the ear canal by a band, usually plastic. Check for a good seal, every time you put them on. Follow the same general advice as for earplugs and make sure any band keeps its tension
Don’t forget to check your PPE is clean, free from damage and works correctly. A simple check on ear muffs are still working is to tightly close them together and then pull apart. If they ‘pop’ you know they are still working
Recommended Brands are BBFED (SNR32) and Ear Plugs rated to SNR32 or above
Please bear in mind that even though you may not be using noisy equipment you may be working close to others who are so please remember to use the correct hearing protection when in the vicinity.
Remember that earmuffs should not be used over the top of headwear!!
Please refer to manufacturers instructions for more comprehensive information on care and correct fitting and also the Safety Briefing – Hearing Protection – Use, Maintenance and care of earplugs and earmuffs