<\/span><\/h3>From office environments to busy construction sites, workplace hearing loss is a reality for many industries. However, there are workers in certain roles who are at increased risk for hearing damage, and the needs of these employees should be more closely monitored and accommodated.<\/p>
Hearing Loss in the Manufacturing Industry<\/strong><\/p>For workers in the manufacturing industry, hearing loss is the most commonly recorded occupational injury. Between compressed air, which is an estimated 92 dB, and loud machinery like grinders, drills and milling machines, which typically hit dB levels 95 and above, it\u2019s important for employers to take extra care to protect workers\u2019 hearing.<\/p>
Hearing Loss in the Construction, Carpentry and Mining Industries<\/strong><\/p>Loud power tools also make workers in construction, carpentry and mining industries particularly susceptible to hearing loss. In fact, some tools, like a jackhammer, can reach up to 130 dB\u2014more than 45 dB above the recommended limit. When exposed to these sounds for extended periods of time during a shift, the risk of hearing damage increases. <\/p>
Likewise, miners are regularly exposed to sounds related to drilling into rock in a confined work environment, and as a result most miners have some form of hearing loss by the time they retire, according to the CDC.
Other industries most commonly affected by hearing loss include entertainment and nightlife, military, agriculture and farming. <\/p>
<\/span>WORKPLACE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HEARING LOSS<\/span><\/h3>Hearing is the body\u2019s built-in alarm system and plays a vital role in protecting a person from physical harm. Hearing picks up on possible dangers that may not be visible yet, like the sound of an approaching truck or the clanging of a broken machine. However, when hearing is compromised, the built-in alarm system isn\u2019t as effective and may not pick up on incoming dangers as quickly, putting workers at risk.<\/p>
Workplace accidents are common among workers with hearing damage due to reduced situational awareness or the inability to hear a warning siren or signal. <\/p>
The risks associated with hearing loss don\u2019t stop there. Not only does hearing loss contribute to workplace-related issues, it can also take a toll on an employee\u2019s quality of life. Hearing loss is permanent, and as it worsens, it can make interpersonal communication difficult and frustrating, putting a strain on relationships. In addition, ringing in the ears associated with hearing loss can be disruptive to normal sleep patterns and concentration, which sometimes can increase the risk of depression, anxiety and stress. All of these factors may contribute to underperformance or dissatisfaction at work<\/p>
<\/span>OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT<\/span><\/h3>When it comes to hearing loss, prevention is key. Almost all work-related hearing loss is cumulative and permanent, so it\u2019s important for employers to take steps to prevent damage before it happens<\/p>
A great step in preventing work-related hearing damage is to implement a hearing conservation program. Not only do these programs protect workers from occupational hearing loss, but they can also play a role in increasing employees\u2019 sense of well-being and reduce the incidence of stress-related disease. Stress decreases blood flow that helps hair cells within the ear work properly. Therefore, reducing workers\u2019 stress can help maintain the overall health of the ear. <\/p>
Hearing conservation is an OSHA mandate that requires companies to take action and institute occupational noise and hearing conservation programs for employees who work in areas where the probable exposure to noise equals or exceeds an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dB.<\/p>
An effective hearing conservation program includes regular, ongoing sound monitoring, audiograms, employee training and protective equipment. <\/p>
Regular, Ongoing Sound Monitoring<\/strong><\/p>Sound level meters and dosimeters are two important elements of an effective hearing conservation program. Sound level meters measure sound intensity at a specific moment, while dosimeters measure a person\u2019s average exposure to noise over a period of a time. Employers can monitor and record sound levels throughout the workplace to help employees understand areas where the risk of hearing loss may be higher.<\/p>
Audiograms<\/strong><\/p>An effective hearing conservation program includes taking a baseline audiogram, which takes place 14 hours or more after the employee was last exposed to occupational noise. Following the baseline audiogram, annual audiograms should be performed to record any changes. These results should be analyzed and compared to previous tests to provide insights into how an employee\u2019s hearing has changed. These changes are recorded as a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) if the loss is greater than a certain level<\/p>
An STS is a detectable change in hearing when compared to the baseline audiogram. If a shift is identified, an employer is required to inform the employee within 21 days and refer them to an audiologist for follow-up testing and possible treatment. This also is a good opportunity for both employers and employees to assess hearing protection methods and make any needed changes.<\/p>
Employee Training<\/strong><\/p>Training workers is another essential step to educating a workforce about the risks associated with hearing loss and the importance of prevention. At a minimum, employers should conduct an annual noise training with all employees, but regular reminders throughout the year are also recommended. For example, hanging educational posters and noise maps, which highlight decibel levels throughout the workplace, is a great way to remind employees throughout the year to take steps to mitigate hearing damage. <\/p>
It can also be helpful to offer one-on-one educational sessions with individual employees who may be exposed to louder noises on a regular basis.<\/p>
Protective Equipment<\/strong><\/p>In addition to monitoring and training, employers must also provide workers with suitable equipment to protect hearing while at work. In fact, this is an OSHA requirement for workplaces where the noise levels meet or exceed 85 dB. <\/p>
There are a wide variety of options when it comes to hearing protective devices and employers can often find several appropriate options that fit the needs of employees and the workplace. Examples include earplugs and earmuffs that come in a wide variety of different styles, like disposable and reusable, to fit employers\u2019 and employees\u2019 preferences.<\/p>
Source: EHS TODAY<\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n\n
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\u0110\u00e1nh gi\u00e1 ngay<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Take steps to prevent hearing damage in the workplace before it happens. Some of the most prevalent workplace hazards aren\u2019t seen\u2014they\u2019re heard. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to damaging noise levels at work, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[191,329],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-safety-information"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/achisonsafety.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7716"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/achisonsafety.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/achisonsafety.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/achisonsafety.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/achisonsafety.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7716"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/achisonsafety.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7716\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/achisonsafety.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/achisonsafety.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/achisonsafety.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/achisonsafety.com.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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