The RNID and the TUC say noise is one of the most underestimated workplace risks.

Brian Lamb, director of communications at RNID, said: “Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss and employers have a legal duty to cut down noise and protect their employees from the harmful effects of noise at work. However, employees also have to play their part and use the hearing protection available to them.

“Noise induced hearing loss is often cumulative and not immediately obvious, so its threat is seldom recognised or taken seriously.”

Hugh Robertson, senior health and safety executive at the TUC, said the regulations could save the hearing of hundreds of thousands of people. But he added: “If they are ignored or implemented half-heartedly employers could face a wave of compensation claims from staff. Better to rigorously enforce safe noise levels to prevent hearing damage, in industry but also entertainment and construction, than leave employees to go through the courts for compensation after their hearing has already been harmed.”

Under the new regulations the noise levels at which workers will be required to have hearing protection available, and the level at which they will be required to wear hearing protection, have been reduced by 5dB(A) to 80dB(A) and 85dB(A) respectively.

Hearing protection must ensure that average noise levels reaching a worker’s ears are never above 87dB(A).

RNID and the TUC recommend:

Replace old machinery with newer, quieter models.

If you are thinking about buying new machinery, find out about noise levels before you buy.

Discuss with the supplier ways of ensuring equipment makes as little noise as possible.

Reduce noise from equipment by changing how it is mounted or installing silencers or enclosures.

Have equipment regularly maintained.

Keep noisy machinery in a separate work area.

Ensure employees do not spend longer than necessary in a noisy working environment, or create a noise-reduced enclosure for them.

Reduce reverberations by changing the acoustics of the room or work area with material that absorbs sound.

Anyone concerned about their hearing can take RNID’s five-minute hearing check on 0845 600 55 55.

Source: http://www.shropshirestar.com/show_article.php?aID=44552