Workplace Report June 2012

Health & safety - HSE Monitor

Protection needed on noise

Just how noise and ageing affect hearing is now available online.

The HSE is promoting a simulator which shows both in audio and video how hearing deteriorates. Although it is widely known that both excessive noise and ageing will lead to less effective hearing, most people probably don’t appreciate to what extent those factors influence their hearing.

The simulator, developed by the health and safety agency for British Columbia, Canada, graphically illustrates the impact. Reps working for employers or with colleagues who don’t provide/use ear protection devices may find this simulator to be particularly useful in helping this issue to be taken more seriously. It can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/noise/demonstration.htm