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Public
Employee Press Safety Spotlight Noise
Is
it too noisy at work to hear co-workers at arms length?
At the end
of a workday, is it difficult to hear normal conversations, TV or music?
After
you work in noisy areas, do you get ringing in your ears or does sound seem flat?
If
you answered yes to any of these questions, your work environment may be dangerously
loud.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports
that approximately 30 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise on the
job. Since hearing loss occurs gradually and painlessly, many workers may not
realize that they have permanent hearing loss until it is too late. No medical
procedure can restore hearing loss caused by excessive noise exposure.
The
Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau of the New York State Dept. of Labor
requires employers to institute a Hearing Conservation Program if employees are
exposed to certain maximum noise levels or to an 8-hour average of 85 decibels
or more.
A Hearing Conservation Program must include noise monitoring,
hearing tests, education, record keeping, protective devices such as ear plugs
or ear muffs, engineering controls such as mufflers that dampen sound, and administrative
controls such as limiting the time a worker is exposed.
Noise increases
stress levels and blood pressure and is linked to fatigue, insomnia and loss of
appetite. Noise can also interfere with communication on the job, leading to accidents
in the workplace.
How can you protect your hearing? If your employer provides
ear plugs or muffs, wear them. If your employer provides testing, make sure you
get tested. And if you believe your employer is not doing enough to protect your
hearing, contact your union representative.
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