The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. Whether you work at a sports venue, on a tarmac, or operate a jackhammer—hearing loss is preventable. Prolonged exposure to noise levels at or above 85 dBA may cause permanent noise-induced hearing loss. Noise may also interfere with speech communication, cause annoyance, and reduce the productivity of employees.
Exposure to loud noise kills the nerve endings in our inner ear. More exposure will result in more dead nerve endings. The result is permanent hearing loss that cannot be corrected through surgery or with medicine. Noise-induced hearing loss limits your ability to hear high-frequency sounds and understand speech, which seriously impairs your ability to communicate. Hearing aids may help, but they do not restore your hearing to normal.
The health risk that may be presented to employees with regard to noise in the workplace is governed by the Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Regulations, OHS Act (85 of 1993) and the Occupational Hygiene Regulations, MHSAct (29 of 1996).
In accordance with the legislation, employees may not be allowed to enter a workplace where the noise level is at or above the 85 dBA noise rating limit. Where the above is not reasonably practicable, noise exposure should be controlled through the implementation of noise control measures, including engineering control measures, administrative control measures and/or the use of hearing protective equipment.
In terms of the legal requirements, employers must:
- Conduct an assessment of potential noise exposure every two years.
- Carry out a noise survey by an Approved Noise Inspection Authority every two years.
- Clearly demarcate noise zones where the noise level is at or above the 85 dBA noise rating limit.
- Implement hearing conservation measures where employees may be exposed to noise.
- Provide medical surveillance for employees exposed to noise.
Strat Environment offers the following services:
- Assessment of potential noise exposure.
- Rating of noise in the working environment for hearing conservation purposes.
- Personal noise dosimetry for hearing conservation purposes.
- Environmental noise surveys for health, land use, annoyance, and speech communication purposes.
Learn more about noise issues and how they can be resolved, by signing up for an official assessment from Strat Environment.
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