Noise Induced Hearing Loss : Regulation, Prevention And Claims Continue.

Nov. 24, 2011 - PRLog -- The introduction of the updated Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2006, provides extended rules on protecting employees against noise induced hearing loss, extended to all types of workplaces such as in the music and entertainment industry, as well as traditional manufacturing, engineering and production factories.

In addition, a new level of identifiable excessive noise was established at 85dB and 80dB, reduced from the previous 90dB and 85dB.

Employers’ responsibility to prevent the risk of hearing damage was enforced by the carrying out of noise assessments. If sound levels reached the new Lower Exposure action value of 80dB, suitable hearing protection must be made available, information and training provided and health monitoring where there is a risk to health.

If an Upper Exposure Action Value of 90dB is recorded, an additional programme of technical and/or organisational measures must be implemented to reduce exposure to noise by marking, delimiting and restricting access to excessive noise areas designed as Hearing Protection Zones.

The Regulations were clearly intended to reform working practices across UK industry, which appeared to pay little or no attention to many thousands of employees who spent the majority of their working lives in excessively noisy environments, and eventually being diagnosed with industrial deafness.

Even earlier Health and Safety regulations related to Noise at Work Acts enabled any individual who had been exposed to excessive noise level above 85dB on a daily basis to make a claim against their employer for hearing loss damage

Despite the tightening up of Regulations, increased awareness campaigns and the rising number of cases being brought to court, the long-term effects of decades of disregard of noise levels in the workplace has meant the problems of deteriorating hearing loss continue.

As recently as July 2011, figures released reveal that 1 in 6 of the UK population, i.e. over ten million people, have some form of hearing loss. Nearly four million are aged between 16 to 64, over 40 per cent aged 50 upwards, increasing significantly to over 70 per cent for people above the age of 70.

It is because the recognition of a gradual loss of hearing can occur over many years, it is vital for hearing tests to be carried out at the earliest possible time as a claim for noise induced hearing loss is three years from onset of awareness of a hearing problem.

Establishment of noise induced hearing loss and/or tinnitus must be confirmed by a medical report and further documented proof and witness statements provided to show sufficient evidence that hearing loss was caused by exposure to a specific excessive noise source at a particular employment.

Visit http://www.hearinglossadvice.co.uk   for more information and advice.

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Visit http://www.hearinglossadvice.co.uk for more information and advice.