Serious gaps’ found in protecting workers from excessive noise

HSE’s most recent inspection campaign, including construction sites, identified significant failings in workplace hearing protection.

Key findings showed:

• 75% of employees lacked essential knowledge about storing, checking for damage or reporting faults with hearing protection
• 63% had not received guidance on continuous wearing during noise exposure
• 80% received no instruction on proper wearing techniques
• 95% of employers failed to verify workers could still hear vital warning signals when wearing hearing protection

HSE are promoting the CUFF checking system to help employers assess hearing protection effectiveness:

• Condition (equipment integrity)
• Use (proper deployment when needed)
• Fit the ear (correct wearing)
• Fit for purpose (appropriate specification)

For more information visit the HSE website and read:

• news article: “Serious gaps” found in protecting workers from excessive noise
• feature piece: Getting personal hearing protection right: what really matters