Rank: Forum user 
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I have recently completed a noise survey of a motor vehicle repair workshop and found that one of the tasks is likely to exceed the upper exposure action value. The task is diagnosing engine faults, whilst the engine is running.
The mechanic states that he cannot wear hearing protection as he has to hear the engine. The majority of his work involves this task so reduction of exposure is not reasonable.
Have any member got any ideas to resolve this problem?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi,
I think you might have to do a bit of experimenting with the mechanic here/hear...!
I spent years working in very noisy machinery spaces on submarines and for a long time I was convinced that hearing protection would reduce my ability to hear the turbines etc as any defects evolved. Then I discovered that actually the right hearing protection eliminated the background "roar and whine" to a point where I could hear more problems. The same riding a motorbike - put some ear plugs in and suddenly you can hear the engine and not the exhaust.
So..... work with this guy, try different types of hearing protection when he is doing the task (and you may need to be with him listening too) and see if you can identify a type of hearing protection that will take out the exhaust and other noise and leave him able to hear the other bits.....But, be prepared for this to be a long road as he will need to be convinced that the outcome benefits the job as well as his well being
Jim.
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Rank: New forum user
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Also, point out to him that if the noise causes him to lose some of his hearing or causes tinnitus, which is very likely, he will find it harder to hear the engine anyway.
It could put his ability to do his job at risk.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hello mintcake
ExDeeps is spot on with this, I have worked with racing engines for years and have always been able to wear hearing protection and carry out fault finding. You only have to look at F1 or Moto GP to see that all the crews wear hearing protection. If the correct hearing protection is worn it will only cut out the dangerous noises and your mechanic will be surprised how much easier it is to identify issues. Ear muffs might be better as if the mechanic has dirty hands/inspection gloves using ear plugs can give rise to ear infections if they are taking them out / putting them in regularly.
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Rank: Forum user
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You may want to look at the exposure time to the noise, remembering the peak levels and the average 8 hour day. Just because it is noisy doesn't necessarily mean that it exposes the guys above the theshold.
By the way I agree with Ellwood the mechanic should be able to fault find even with hearing protection.
Grant
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