Every year, approximately 25 million people in the United States are occupationally exposed to hazardous noise. Noise-related hearing loss has been listed as one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for more than 25 years. Thousands of workers every year suffer from preventable hearing loss due to high workplace noise levels. In addition, hearing loss disability costs businesses an estimated $242 million annually in workers’ compensation.
Exposure to high levels of noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Short term exposure to loud noise can also cause a temporary change in hearing including a ringing sensation in the ears (tinnitus). These short-term problems may go away within a few minutes or hours after leaving the noisy area. However, repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
While construction sites are by their very nature subject to high levels of noise, there are legal limits to the amount and volume workers can be exposed. Over an eight-hour period, workers can be exposed to 90 decibels (dBA), and with every 5 decibel increase, the amount of time is cut in half.
The first step when considering a noise safety plan is to understand the difference between short-term exposure to loud noise, which can cause a temporary change in hearing, and long-term exposure that can lead to permanent ringing and/or hearing loss–and then putting the proper safety measures in place.
To help raise awareness and create new solutions to occupational hearing damage, the DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Mine Safety and Health Administration, in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, have launched the ‘Hear and Now – Noise Safety Challenge‘ with the dual goals of inspiring creative ideas and raising business awareness of the market for workplace safety innovation.
Idea submissions are due by September 30. Ten finalists will be invited to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges on October 27 in Washington D.C. The event will feature investors, representatives of the NIOSH Research to Practice Program and representatives of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
More information about hearing and noise safety can be found here, and for more hands-on safety consultations, contact our office at Diversified Safety Services.
