Noise Monitoring Helps to Prevent From Different Kinds of Risk

Summary: Over one million employees currently working in the UK are exposed to potentially dangerous levels of noise at work that puts their hearing in serious danger. If you suffer from deafness, ringing in the ears or any other ear conditions you could be exposed to excessive noise levels. The damage that this may cause is irreversible.

Most places of work expose their employees to noise. Although some places may be louder than at others, it is important for employers to be aware that excessively loud noise can cause long-term, irreversible damage to their employees hearing and senses. Hearing loss in the workplace was relatively unheard of prior to the latest reports in the press surrounding the complaints made by various insurance groups of the sudden rise in claims by employees seeking compensation for hearing problems.

Highlighted the real risks of noise

Noise monitoring Washington DC has however highlighted the real risks of noise induced hearing loss and the importance of protecting employees because although the Law does cover them, the severity of noise induced hearing loss is more than often overlooked. Once noise induced hearing loss has occurred, the effects are permanent. Therefore, as the famous saying goes, prevention is better than cure, especially in the UK were 1 in 7 of the population are either deaf or hard of hearing.

Noise measurement equipment

Due to the harmful effects that excessively loud or long lasting noise levels can have on our hearing, it has become something that the Health and Safety Regulations now take very seriously. With over a million Britons at work exposed to potentially dangerous levels of noise every day, it's no surprise that companies are being urged to comply with the necessary 'legal limits' to protect their employees from suffering permanent hearing damage. By appointing, training and equipping health and safety staff with the right type of dispersion modelling equipment, employers will be able to monitor and manage the noise levels on the premises and determine whether or not there is a problem, and if so, who is at risk.

High noise levels might be now

Once a noise control system is in place, it should be reviewed regularly for maximum effect. Particularly if, for example, new equipment has being introduced for employees to manage or if there has been changes to the layout of the company as this could mean that some members of staff who were not previously at risk to high noise levels might be now. If the general atmosphere at work involves people having to shout at each other in order to be heard, or that people often find it difficult hearing one another, then the noise levels are probably too high and need to be addressed.

For companies whose employees move around a lot during the day, personal noise measurement devices are available. These are usually worn on the shoulder to get an accurate reading of the noise levels they are exposed to on a daily basis.You could be at risk if the noise is intrusive for the majority of the working day. If you have to raise your voice to communicate with work colleagues there's a good chance that the noise you're being exposed to is potentially harmful. Working with powered machines or tools for more than half an hour everyday could expose you to dangerous levels of air exposure assessment.

Prevent hearing loss

There are a number of symptoms to look out for. Conversations may become difficult to follow or understand, you struggle to use the telephone and cannot pick up sounds and misinterpret words as a result. People comment that your television volume is too loud and you continually hear a ringing, whistling, buzzing or humming in the ears. If any of these sound familiar you could be putting your hearing at risk. General hearing loss is gradual and happens slowly over time; by the time you've noticed it could be too late. It's vital you do all you can to prevent hearing loss and that begins with cooperation between employer and employee. Both parties need to be made aware of the dangers of noise at work.

Monitor the levels of noise at work

Make sure you use noise control devices and follow legislation, procedure and noise prevention methods to the letter. You'll need to take responsibility of your own hearing by having it checked regularly. Wearing any hearing protection correctly is essential and not only should it be worn, but it should be worn correctly, at all times. Even removing your protection for a short period of time could be enough to cause damage.

Your hearing protection need to be looked after correctly and maintained. Your employer or health and safety office will show you have to do this. You should report any damage to your hearing protection as soon as you notice it to prevent further damage. You employer has a legal responsibility to monitor the levels of noise at work and act accordingly. They should monitor the levels of noise you're being exposed to assess the risks to your hearing. The potential damage that excessive noise at work can cause should not be underestimated. Once you've damaged your hearing it will not recover, its irreversible and something which can easily be avoided if you follow the correct path.