Each year, more than 22 million workers in the US are exposed to loud noise levels in their workplace that pose a serious occupational hazard, which is one of the reasons hearing loss caused by high noise exposure is the most common work-related illness among workers, according to a new report.
The study — which was issued last month by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as part of its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — looked at 1.4 million audiograms performed on noise-exposed workers in the US between 2003 and 2012. It found that 13 percent of the workers suffered hearing loss.
The severity of the loss ranged from mild to complete, according to the study.
Worst Industries for Excessive Noise
Of the nine major industries studied by NIOSH, the mining, construction and manufacturing industries had the highest prevalence of workers with hearing damage caused by their jobs.
Federal law requires that companies that expose workers to excessively loud noise implement Hearing Conservation Programs, including the monitoring of noise levels, free annual hearing exams, and free hearing protection.
Excessive loud noise in the workplace is defined as an average of more than 85 decibels during a standard eight-hour shift. Noise levels higher than this average can result in occupational hearing loss.
How to Reduce Harmful Noise Levels in the Workplace
Programs also must include training and the evaluation of workplace condition to identify opportunities to reduce noise, such as changing tools, equipment and schedules so that workers are exposed to fewer loud noises.
Engineering controls include such things as maintaining and lubricating machinery and equipment, placing barriers like sound walls or curtains between workers and the noise source, and enclosing or isolating the noise source.
Administrative controls include actions like operating noisy machines during a shift when the fewest workers are exposed, limiting the amount of time a worker spends near a noise source, and providing quiet areas where workers can get relief from excessively loud noises.
Increase Distance from Loudest Noises
One of the most effective, yet simple and inexpensive, ways to control noise exposure is to increase the distance between workers and the noise source. In an open space, each time the space between workers and the noise source is doubled, the volume of the noise is decreased by 6 decibels.
Hearing protection device — including earmuffs and ear plugs — are also effective at controlling workers’ exposure to loud noises. They should especially be used by workers whose hearing tests have already shown work-related damaged due to excessive loud noises.