EAR & EYE PROTECTION CUT THROUGH THE NOISE
If workers are exposed to excessive noise, high-quality hearing protection is vital. British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) CEO Alan Murray explains how PPE buyers can identify the protection they need – and avoid the large number of substandard products.
Construction, manufacturing and engineering workers often face high levels of noise exposure on a daily basis. Excessive noise can impair concentration and focus, potentially increasing the risk of workplace accidents. It can also lead to permanent noise-induced hearing loss and even deafness.
The ear contains sensory ‘hair cells’ that are responsible for converting the mechanical sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as sound. Regular exposure to loud noise can damage these hair cells, which means they can no longer send signals to the brain and noise will not be heard. This type of hearing loss cannot be repaired – once lost, it stays lost.
Tinnitus is another significant risk. It is a distressing condition that may include the perception of ringing, whistling, buzzing, hissing or humming, often leading to difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances and stress.
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Based on Labour Force Survey data, it is estimated that around 11,000 workers in Britain had work-related hearing problems in the period from 2020/21 to 2022/23. The Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit scheme, meanwhile, recorded 85 new cases of deafness in 2022. This is based on a measured loss of more than 50dB of hearing in both ears.
The PPE regulation (EU) 2016/425, which came into effect in 2018, recognises harmful noise as an irreversible health risk. As such, hearing protection moved from category II (intermediate PPE) to category III (complex PPE). So, what action should employers take to keep their workers safe?
CONTROLLING RISK Employers have a legal responsibility not to damage the hearing of their workforce. The 2005 Control of Noise
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