June 24, 2010

Hearing Loss Not Limited to Older Persons!

More than 1 in 6 adult Americans experiences hearing loss.

For some, the aging process is responsible, but that is only one of many causes. Disease, infection, drugs, exposure to noise, tumors and trauma can induce hearing loss at any age.

The trend is disturbing: the number of Americans with hearing loss has doubled in the past 30 years. Louise Vallee, a research and development specialist for an insurance company loss control unit, said at a recent American Society of Safety Engineers conference we can expect the numbers to get worse.

Occupational Noise Only Part of the Problem

For employers, workplace noise levels are only part of the problem. Recreational hearing loss (concerts, autos, airplanes, personal music players) away from the job can reduce employee work effectiveness and even lead to disability.

Anchor Risk Management safety consultants can help educate corporate executives on risks to employees from all types of noise hazards. It's part of our effort to highlight the need for hearing conservation programs in the workplace.

When Is a Workplace Too Noisy?

In many industries high noise levels in everyday operations are considered normal. For nonsubscribing employers, safe noise levels not only make for a better work environment, they can help save money by holding down claims.

Here's a simple check to see if the noise levels in your workplace are too high: If people cannot conduct conversations at a normal speaking volume level, there is probably a noise problem.

Take an Active Role to Prevent Hearing Loss

To help reduce occupational hearing loss and related workers' compensation claims, employers should:

• Conduct baseline audiogram hearing tests for new employees to detect preexisting hearing loss.
• Implement annual hearing tests for employees exposed to noise exceeding OSHA action levels.
• Provide training on noise hazards. Use annual employee Hearing Conservation training to educate employees about potential risks of recreational noise, as well as workplace noise.
• Evaluate noise risks for new equipment purchases, and ask the manufacturer to install noise suppressors, if necessary, to keep noise levels to less than 85 decibels measured on the A scale. Noise controls often can be engineered at the manufacturing phase at much lower cost than retrofitting equipment later.
• Provide a variety of hearing protection devices and train employees on proper fit and use. NOTE: hearing protection is a secondary solution; OSHA regulations require noise levels be engineered to an acceptable level if at all possible.

If You Suspect Workplace Noise Levels Are Too High

• Contact Anchor Risk Management to conduct a noise survey and determine if time-weighted noise exceeds acceptable levels.
• Develop a noise control program with the assistance of an Anchor Risk Management consultant.
• Follow through with the program! The value of the plan comes in executing it.

Any time you have an occupational safety question, please call Bill Propes at 214-295-1563 or email him at bpropes@combinedgroup.com for more information.