The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new campaign to help employers understand how to prevent harm from noise and vibration.
Britain’s health and safety watchdog says that effective workplace action can help prevent workers from experiencing permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).
Don’t leave it too late to address noise and vibration risks
Statistics show that around 15,000 workers develop hearing problems caused or made worse by their work every single year, with an estimated 1 in 5 exposed to harmful noise levels.
The HSE says that these effects can be permanent, and that workers are often unaware that they are being harmed until symptoms begin to appear, by which time some damage may be irreversible. They are warning employers not to wait until it’s too late to start managing the risks.
Last year, a targeted inspection by HSE Inspectors found that 3 in 4 noisy workplaces demonstrated significant failings in workplace hearing protection, with inspectors uncovering issues with employee training and equipment management.
The watchdog launched its new campaign during Bone and Joint Health Week, which also raises awareness of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). It is designed to build on the HSE’s wider work to reduce HAVS, including the Prevention Programme’s HAVS Risk Reduction Pledge, which encourages organisations to commit to reducing vibration-related ill-health through effective risk management, worker involvement and long-term prevention.
Three-step approach to managing noise and vibration risks
The campaign promotes a simple three-step approach to managing the risks of noise and vibration. These are:
- Assess workplace noise and vibration risks. Identify who may be exposed to noise and vibration, understand the risks and carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments
- Control and reduce exposure. Reduce at source by choosing quieter or lower-vibration equipment, maintaining tools and machinery, introducing engineering controls and adopting safer ways of working
- Protect workers from preventable ill-health. Where risks remain, provide suitable hearing protection, arrange health surveillance where required, and give workers the information, instruction and training they need to protect themselves
Following these three steps can help employers prevent permanent, life-changing ill-health for their workers.
Exposure to noise and vibration can impact workers for life
Major industries including construction, manufacturing, agriculture, utilities, waste management, engineering, maintenance and entertainment and events list noise and vibration as common workplace hazards.
Workplace exposure to these hazards often comes from tools, machinery and equipment that workers use daily.
Prolonged or excessive exposure to noise can cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. Meanwhile, hand-arm vibration can lead to HAVS and carpal tunnel syndrome, causing workers to experience numbness, tingling, pain and reduced grip strength.
These preventable conditions can affect workers’ ability to do their jobs and carry out everyday activities, sometimes impacting them for the rest of their lives, long after exposure has ceased.
Describing some of the real-world impacts of these hazards, the HSE explain that hearing loss can make it difficult for people to follow conversations with family and friends, while tinnitus causes persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears, affecting concentration and sleep.
People living with HAVS can experience difficulty with simple, everyday tasks such as fastening buttons, holding a cup or using tools.
Noise and vibration related ill-health is ‘preventable’
The Principal Specialist Inspector for Noise and Vibration at the HSE, Chris Steel, said ill-health related to these hazards is “preventable,” but that “the consequences can last a lifetime.”
He added:
“Workers may not realise they’re being harmed until their hearing is affected, or they begin to experience pain, numbness and make sure the right controls are in place.
“We’ve already seen organisations demonstrate their commitment to tackling vibration risks through the HAVS Risk Reduction Pledge. This campaign helps employers turn that commitment into practical action.
“Taking action early can protect workers’ health and prevent conditions that can affect their lives for years to come.”
The HSE highlights that employers have legal duties to assess and control workplace noise and vibration risks under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
Their new campaign provides practical tools, guidance and resource to support employers to assess workplace risks, put effective controls in place and prevent life-changing occupational ill-health.
Health and safety training and support
First Response Training (FRT) is one of the UK’s largest and leading national training providers.
They deliver a wide and diverse range of training for businesses and organisations across all industry sectors and throughout the UK. Their course range includes training in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, mental health, food safety, health and social care and more.
Their health and safety training is mapped to current UK standards and legislation and follows HSE guidelines. It includes training awards in Health and Safety, Managing and Supervising Risk, Accident and Incident Investigation, and more.
Based on a common sense, proportionate approach to workplace safety, training helps learners to understand the true benefits of creating a healthy and safe environment at work.
A trainer from FRT explains:
“Exposure to high noise levels and/or hand-arm vibration on a regular basis during our working lives can have a devastating impact on our health. It is essential that employers fully understand their role and responsibilities when it comes to managing noise and vibration risks, and that they are properly implementing all suitable control measures.
“This includes providing all staff members with suitable and sufficient information and training, and updating this regularly.”
For more information on any of the training courses that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or e-mail info@firstresponsetraining.com.