Don’t let the advice fall on deaf ears….

3M, the diversified technology company, develops hearing products specifically aimed at the food manufacturing industry, to try and help prevent workers suffering from workplace hearing loss.
Exposure to noise at work continues to be a significant occupational hazard and some 170,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work[1].
During a typical year, almost five per cent of food manufacture workers suffer from ill health caused by or made worse by work, more than twice the number suffering from a reportable injury at work, with hearing loss being one of the main causes[2]. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (Noise Regulations 2005) state that workers must be provided with hearing protection on request when noise levels reach or exceed 80dB(A). It is compulsory when levels reach 85dB(A).
Some typical noise levels associated with common tasks in the food industry include[3]:
• Wrapping, cutting wrap, bagging, etc: 85-95dB(A)
• Milling operations: 85-100dB(A)
• Blast chillers/freezers: 85-107dB(A)
• Packaging machinery: 85-95dB(A)
• Product impact on hoppers: 90-100dB(A)
The regulations very clearly put the responsibility with employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work. Although occupational noise-induced hearing loss is a totally preventable condition, once the damage has been done there is no way of reversing the effects - if all manufacturing companies complied with the regulations a significant reduction in occupational noise-induced hearing loss would result.
The most efficient and effective way of controlling noise is by protecting workers at source, e.g. changing processes, damping vibrations and reducing time spent in noisy areas. If these preventative measures have been carried out but noise is still a problem then selecting the right hearing protection is critical.
Expert hearing advice
Over the past year, through its acquisition of Aearo Technologies, 3M has widened its hearing protection product range to include leading brands E-A-R and Peltor. Importantly, along with the addition of these highly regarded brands, 3M has retained the hearing conservation expertise and experience that was previously offered by Aearo.
Richard Beardsley, Hearing Conservation Specialist, explains: “Hearing conservation is a service that we continue to offer now we have become part of 3M. It is essential that members of staff are well educated and we have a presentation to support health and safety managers as they educate and train their workforce on why protecting their hearing is so important.
“One of the main hazards within the food manufacturing industry is the over protection of an individual leaving them unable to communicate properly and leading them to feel isolated. 3M will advise the customer on various aspects of noise hazards and the damage that can be caused to the ear and then help the customer to find the correct level of protection to reduce noise to an acceptable level of 70-80dB(A). We can also advise on different products including detectable earplugs which are mainly required in the food industry. 3M feels this information is essential to provide it’s customers with the support they need to carry out their jobs safely.”
The Hearing Noise Check is another highly effective service that 3M is continuing to offer. A representative visits the workplace and uses a meter to check noise levels within the environment. This helps the company understand its noise hazards and provides further information to allow them to select appropriate hearing protection.
Both of these services are available to key customers in a variety of different formats which can be tailored to their specific needs. For more information about noise levels in your compnany call the 3M Health and Safety Helpline on 0870 60 800 60 (UK) or 1800 320 500 (Ireland).
For more information, visit #-Link-Snipped-#
The 3M Health and Safety Helpline is available during office hours, Monday to Friday.
3M, E.A.R. and Peltor are trademarks of 3M Company
[1] Statistics from Health and Saftey Executive (HSE), key facts HSE - Noise: Key messages
[2] Statistics from HSE, occupational health #-Link-Snipped-#
[3] Statistics from HSE Noise induced hearing loss