Protecting Your Team from Excessive Noise
The HSE’s latest inspection campaign has highlighted serious gaps in workplace hearing protection, particularly around training and equipment management. This is a timely reminder, as inadequate protection can expose employees to harmful noise levels.
Key issues identified include:
- 75% of employees lacked knowledge on storing, checking, or reporting faults with hearing protection
- 63% had not been advised to wear protection continuously during noise exposure
- 80% received no guidance on proper wearing techniques
- 95% of employers failed to confirm workers could still hear vital warning signals
So, what should you and your teams be doing? The HSE’s advice is clear:
- Ensure all employees know how to use, store, and maintain their hearing protection correctly
- Provide clear instruction on wearing protection at all times in noisy environments
- Verify that protection does not stop workers from hearing warning signals
- Regularly check equipment condition and suitability
For employers and dutyholders, the message is simple – make sure your workforce is trained, supervised, and supported with the right procedures in place. Using systems like CUFF (Condition, Use, Fit the ear, Fit for purpose) can help you assess the effectiveness of hearing protection.
These actions not only help meet your legal duties but also protect the wellbeing of your team and reduce the risk of long-term hearing damage. Take a moment to review your hearing protection arrangements.