Noise is one of the most underestimated workplace risks. The 'Sound Off' conference comes at a key time, with new tighter Noise at Work Regulations coming into force in April 2006. The conference will highlight what these regulations mean for organizations and offer practical advice on controlling noise in the work place.
Brian Lamb, RNID's director of communications, and Angela King, RNID's senior audiology specialist will be speaking about the human impact of noise induced hearing loss and how excessive noise in the workplace has caused 170,000 people to suffer deafness or other ear conditions.
Lamb says: "Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss and employers have a legal duty to protect their employees from the harmful effects of noise at work.
"Since noise induced hearing loss is often cumulative and not immediately obvious, its threat is seldom recognized or taken seriously. However, whilst its effects are irreversible, noise induced hearing loss is totally preventable through the implementation of noise reduction strategies and provision of ear protection for employees."
Under the new regulations the noise levels at which workers will be required to have hearing protection available, and the level at which they will be required to wear hearing protection have been reduced by 5dB(A) to 80dB(A) and 85dB(A) respectively. The issue is particularly prevalent in the manufacturing, construction and music industries and these industries will be targeted in particular at the conference.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
