October is National Protect Your Hearing Month!
Each year, about 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to dangerous noise levels at work. Repeated noise can damage your hearing. Even a loud, one-time noise can cause lasting damage. So what can we do to protect our staff from the lifelong effects of overexposure to loud noises in the workplace?
The best thing we can do is to eliminate the loud noises in the workplace. Tools could be replaced with new equipment that is quieter, air leaks could be repaired and air compressors and other noisy equipment could be stored in another location reducing exposure. However this is not always an option as operational demands may require the use of certain tools or equipment to be located closer to the production area. In this case we can explore engineering controls such as noise baffling and encasement of equipment. As a last line of defense we have the option to utilize hearing protection such as ear muffs and ear plugs.
The number one problem I find with hearing protection is improper fit / use of the devices. Just like our t-shirts hearing protectors come in different sizes to fit our personal size and shape. So we need to ensure we are offering the correct fit to guarantee our employees are both protected and comfortable. Let’s be honest, if something is uncomfortable we will not wear it or at the least wear it improperly exposing us to the hazard. We need to also ensure we insert ear plug’s properly to maximize their effectiveness. This is done in three simple steps:
1) Roll – Roll the earplug up into a small, thin “snake” with your fingers. You can use one or both hands.
2) Pull – Pull the top of your ear up and back with your opposite hand to straighten out your ear canal. The rolled-up earplug should slide right in.
3) Hold – Hold the earplug in with your finger until it expands to fill the ear canal. Your voice will sound muffled when the plug has made a good seal.
Often, we take for granted what we have until it’s gone. This month let’s work on protecting our workers hearing so they can enjoy all of life’s sounds and noises. If you need help with a program, give me a call.