An estimated 1 in 5 manufacturing workers have some form of noise-induced hearing loss, underscoring the urgent need for proactive measures. So, what steps can employers take to reduce the effects of noise-induced hearing loss?
Fast-paced factories are an exhilarating and dynamic place to work. Whirring machinery, buzzing equipment and clanging metal combine to create a lively backdrop on the production floor.
Amid the hustle and bustle, it can be easy to forget that exposure to loud noise can cause permanent damage. The danger of noise-induced hearing loss is that by the time you notice it, it might be too late. And jobs in manufacturing and engineering are among those most likely to involve very loud or explosive noises.
Noise-induced hearing loss is less of a problem today than historically but it still impacts many people.
In the UK, there were around 11,000 cases of hearing problems caused or made worse by work between 2010 to 2022. This is dramatically lower than the 21,000 recorded between 2016 to 2019. While the sudden drop could be explained through greater awareness and preventative action, the pandemic-related lockdowns and changes to working practices were likely major contributors.
Robert Lomax, Project Manager at Wakefield Acoustics, recently spoke to Made Members about the importance of addressing workplace noise. His take-home message was that noise-induced hearing loss is entirely avoidable and preventable.
Wakefield Acoustics is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of advanced industrial, commercial and environmental noise control systems.
The West Yorkshire-based business offers a range of offerings from enclosures, screens and louvres to silencers and noise havens. Services include consultancy, project management, structural engineering, electrical solutions and installation, among others.
“Noise control is not only what we do but it’s also something that we take very seriously within our own employees. Exposure to high levels of noise not only creates damage to the ear, it also causes irritability, stress, fatigue and depression.”
Noise at Work Regulations
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 exists to protect the hearing of workers.
There are two action levels within the regulations, explained Robert’ “At 80 decibels, employees must provide workers with safety information and training. At 85 decibels, measures such as hearing protection equipment and hearing protection zones must be provided.”
The Noise at Work Regulations place various responsibilities on employers, one of which is to assess noise levels. “We undertake a noise at work assessment on an annual basis to check what levels are in place in the workplace, and that we've got suitable control measures,” Robert noted.
He pointed Members to the exposure calculators freely available on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website. These help businesses determine their daily and weekly noise exposure and estimate the performance of hearing protection.
Another employer’s responsibility is to eliminate or control noise and provide protection. However, simply providing protection isn’t enough. Workers must be trained on the proper use and maintenance of such equipment. Regular checks to ensure employee hearing isn’t deteriorating are also required.
Noise may sound trivial but penalties levied by the HSE can run into the tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of pounds.
The effectiveness of different safety procedures is ranked according to a ‘Hierarchy of Control.’ Top of the hierarchy is eliminating the noise or, if that’s not possible, eliminating the risk. Measures include replacing old equipment with quieter modern equivalents or placing the machine within a sound-proof enclosure.
When that’s impracticable, the next level is to erect screens and sound absorption walls or install silencers, lagging or damping. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as earplugs or ear defenders should also be provided and used. Other measures include asking suppliers to undertake steps for you, such as punching or cutting parts out of sheet metal.
Many businesses rely solely on issuing PPE. Yet, this tends to be the least effective in minimising risks. Following Robert’s presentation, a Discussion Group, chaired by Jonny Williamson, with input from Made Members representing a broad cross-section of industry, debated why.
PPE compliance
It can be a struggle getting employees to wear vital protective equipment. Some view earmuffs and earplugs as cumbersome and uncomfortable, hindering their workflow and communications. Others may underestimate the long-term consequences of noise exposure, assuming the immediate effects are “no big deal.”
Members in the Discussion Group came up with six strategies to help boost employee compliance:
- Awareness – education about the hazards of noise exposure and the importance of PPE through formal training and informal reminders empowers workers to make informed decisions.
- Comfort – providing a range of comfortable, well-fitting, even tailor-made PPE options, along with proper wearing guidance, can alleviate the discomfort factor.
- Lead by example – when management consistently wears PPE, it sets a positive example for workers to follow suit.
- Convenient – easy access to PPE by placing earplug dispensers in high-traffic areas, for example, and integrating protective equipment into the regular work routine helps encourage compliance.
- Personalisation – allowing staff to choose PPE that suits their preferences and tastes within safety guidelines can enhance their sense of ownership and agreement.
- Engagement – involving workers in the decision-making process regarding PPE choices and implementation helps create a sense of responsibility and accountability.
The discussion closed by highlighting the need to keep accurate PPE training records. Inadequate or missing training records could expose a business to legal and financial consequences in case of accidents or regulatory inspections.
Additionally, workers who haven’t received proper PPE training or require a refresher are at a greater risk of accident, injury and long-term health issues. Well-documented health and safety (H&S) training records also demonstrate a company’s commitment to the wellbeing of its employees.
- Communicate the importance of PPE training records, highlighting how these records contribute to a safer and more secure work environment.
- Integrating noise-related PPE training with your existing HR and H&S systems helps to create a more cohesive and complete approach to worker safety management.
- Create clear communication channels to make it easy for workers to report completed training, ask questions or seek clarification on PPE requirements.
- Assign specific individuals or teams the responsibility of maintaining and updating training records, ensuring accountability and accuracy.
- Use automated training reminder systems that notify employees and supervisors of upcoming or overdue training sessions.
- Conduct routine audits of PPE training records to identify gaps, inaccuracies, or discrepancies and take corrective actions promptly.
- Switch to digital record-keeping platforms that are easily accessible and enable real-time updates, reducing the chances of lost or outdated records.
Join our Monthly Industry Meetup!
The opportunity to openly discuss challenges, opportunities and solutions is why the Made in Group’s Monthly Industry Meetups are so invaluable.
During these captivating virtual events, industry experts, thought leaders, and professionals gather to share knowledge, insights, and best practices.
The goal is to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and drive growth within the manufacturing community.
Each month, we feature three engaging talks from Made Members, focusing on best practice around key themes that shape the future of manufacturing, including Global Trade, People & Skills, Future Factories and Sustainability.
The presentations are followed by our interactive Discussion Groups, virtual roundtables that enable Members to exchange ideas and gain further insights on their chosen topic.
We look forward to seeing you at the next one:
*Header image courtesy of Freepik