How to protect your hearing at work
We take a look at what you can do at work to ensure you protect your hearing whilst in a working environment. If you are in a noisy job, your employer is required to take important steps to protect your hearing.
How to protect myself from noise exposure at work
If you work in a noisy environment such as in a music venue, manufacturing or construction, your employer should ensure that you are provided with appropriate hearing protection.
Employers now have a legal duty to protect your hearing. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 came into force for all industry sectors in Great Britain on 6 April 2006 (except for music and entertainment sectors where they came into force on 6 April 2008).
The aim of the Noise Regulations is to ensure that workers’ hearing is protected from excessive noise at their work. The level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is 85 dB(A) (daily or weekly average exposure) and the level at which employers must assess the risk to workers’ health and provide them with information and training is 80 dB(A).
Advice for workers worried about their hearing
If you are concerned about your hearing in the work environment, work closely with your employer to do what is necessary in order to protect your hearing.
Make sure you follow any working methods that have been put into place by your employer and attend hearing assessments. This does mean that you, like your employer, does need to take responsibility for your hearing.
For further information on advice for workers, please visit the Health and Safety Executive website
