Noise induced hearing loss is preventable
In the workplace, excessive noise may reduce productivity, interfere with communication, and contribute to incidents and injuries by distracting people and making moving equipment, other workers and warning signals hard to hear.
Hearing loss from excessive noise is permanent, and can have debilitating effects on the quality of life for workers and their families.
Between 2009 and 2014, the annual costs just for workplace hearing loss claims in Ontario exceeded $50 million per year1.
6 best practices to get you started
The Center for Hearing and Communication suggests these noise control best practices:
- buy quieter tools and equipment
- maintain and lubricate machinery and equipment
- enclose the source or enclose the worker in a room to prevent overexposure to noise
- look for ways to move loud tools and equipment away from workers to minimize exposure to noise
- if you need to increase the volume of your car radio at the end of the work day, your work environment may be too loud
- use a sound level meter to measure noise levels in your workplace and determine if further action is required
How WSPS can help
Inform yourself with WSPS online noise resources, including a hearing conservation guideline, e-courses in English and French, and recently published articles.
Talk to a WSPS Technical Specialist. Warren Clements and his occupational hygiene colleagues have the expertise to conduct noise exposure assessments and help you find ways to reduce worker exposure to noise. Solutions don't have to be complicated or costly: 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).
1As reported by Ontario's Ministry of Labour, "Enforcement Initiatives," Industrial Sector Plan 2017-2018
