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Posted By Robert_N
An employee has said that a specific location is giving him head ache and was issued in ear, ear defender by his supervisor. Sound level readings have been taken and area recorded at around 60 db peaking no more than 65 db.
Are the ear defenders required under these circumstance or can we not issue them?
Many thanks
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Posted By Safe System
Just to be nice to your employee, if it wants then yes you could issue them..
However - straight from the HSE mouth..
* The lower exposure action value is a daily or weekly average noise exposure level of 80 dB, at which the employer has to provide information and training and make hearing protection available.
* The upper exposure action value is set at a daily or weekly average noise exposure of 85 dB, above which the employer is required to take reasonably practicable measures to reduce noise exposure, such as engineering controls or other technical measures. The use of hearing protection is also mandatory if the noise cannot be controlled by these measures, or while these measures are being planned or carried out.
* Finally there is an exposure limit value of 87 dB, above which no worker can be exposed (taking hearing protection into account).
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Posted By b12
Is it possible to provide more information on why noise is believed to be the cause of the headaches?
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Posted By Emyr Evans
Since the noise levels are so low - it should not cause any long term / chronic hearing disorder.
I was told by our Occupational Health Physician tha the use of any type of hearing protection in these circumstances should be actively discouraged - due to the increased risk of ear infections.
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Posted By Robert_N
The only reason I can give is because this one employee says it does. No one else has expressed any ill health from working anywhere within the building at all.
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Posted By Safe System
Is it a constant drone?..
Slightly off topic . . .Watched a great episode of myth busters the other night and they were testing noise levels vs results on the human body... very interesting to see how much noise it actually takes to have an effect...
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Posted By Safe System
Also
could it be poor lighting as opposed to the noise (which is only about the level of a conversation) that is causing the head aches or is there a monitor involved?
has the guy had his eye sight checked?
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Posted By ScotsAM
Not a sound expert but if it's an irritating or constant noise, could this lead the employee to have a phychophysiological reaction?
Possibly they are overly sensitive to sound because of a condition such as hyperacusis or misophonia?
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Posted By Ian D.
Hi Robert
Be aware that at 60dBA depending what the C weighting figure is, if you issue ear defenders with say more than 1 15 SNR you could put the employee in the isolation area i.e. noise levels at the ear of say 50dbA, which the HSE do not recommend due to the feeling of isolation it creates.
Regards
Ian
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Posted By Simon Chidwick
Hi Robert,
Please give attention to the fact that by providing unecessary PPE such as hearing protection you could be increasing the risks in other areas such as lack of communication, inability to hear emergency alarms etc.
There could, as previously stated, be many causes of headaches (poor lighting etc.)and in my opinion, investigate further and remember PPE is a last resort.
Simon
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Posted By Robert_N
In a bid to save face is this forum which I have come to rely on I would like it known that the ear protection was issued before I was informed. The way I got to know about it is while walking passed the area and asking the employee what was wrong.
All points raised are still taken on board....Thanks
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