24-04-2009
Employers urged to consider noise levels at work
As the 29th International Noise Awareness Day approaches, a leading personal injury specialist in Gloucestershire is urging bosses to consider noise levels at work.
According to the latest figures released by the Health and Safety Executive, thousands of people experience loud noise at work, with 170,000 people in the UK suffering deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions, as a result of excessive noise at work.
And on the eve of the 29th International Noise Awareness Day, scheduled for April 29, Ann-Marie Whelan, Personal Injury Solicitor at BPE Solicitors, says that as well as industries typically associated with noise at work, such as construction, engineering and printing, workers from other sectors, such as those working in food, music and entertainment, can also be affected.
“Many bosses operating in heavy industry are already aware of the practical, cost-effective steps that they can take to protect workers from suffering hearing loss,” said Ann-Marie.
“However it is often the less traditional sectors, such as pubs and clubs, staff working at amplified live music events and in other premises where live music is played, that managers may not be aware of their obligations,” she added.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations require employers to assess the risks to employees from noise at work and to take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks. There is also an obligation to provide staff with hearing protection if it is not possible to reduce noise levels.
BPE’s Personal Injury team has helped hundreds of people with work-related hearing conditions claim compensation. They have recently settled claims for a number of workers employed in the South West aero industry.
“Noise-induced personal injury claims can run into several thousand pounds depending upon the length and level of exposure to excessive noise. This type of industrial claim is entirely preventable,” said Ann-Marie.
Peter Lodge, Industrial Disease Claims Specialist at BPE Solicitors, was a key note speaker at a national conference on the topic of noise-induced hearing loss.
The medicolegal course, which took place at University Hospital Coventry last month, provided other consultants and senior registrars with an update on the medical and legal issues relating to noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.
BPE’s personal injury team is ranked by two independent legal directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers UK, who say that it is one of the leading practices in the South West.
According to the latest figures released by the Health and Safety Executive, thousands of people experience loud noise at work, with 170,000 people in the UK suffering deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions, as a result of excessive noise at work.
And on the eve of the 29th International Noise Awareness Day, scheduled for April 29, Ann-Marie Whelan, Personal Injury Solicitor at BPE Solicitors, says that as well as industries typically associated with noise at work, such as construction, engineering and printing, workers from other sectors, such as those working in food, music and entertainment, can also be affected.
“Many bosses operating in heavy industry are already aware of the practical, cost-effective steps that they can take to protect workers from suffering hearing loss,” said Ann-Marie.
“However it is often the less traditional sectors, such as pubs and clubs, staff working at amplified live music events and in other premises where live music is played, that managers may not be aware of their obligations,” she added.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations require employers to assess the risks to employees from noise at work and to take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks. There is also an obligation to provide staff with hearing protection if it is not possible to reduce noise levels.
BPE’s Personal Injury team has helped hundreds of people with work-related hearing conditions claim compensation. They have recently settled claims for a number of workers employed in the South West aero industry.
“Noise-induced personal injury claims can run into several thousand pounds depending upon the length and level of exposure to excessive noise. This type of industrial claim is entirely preventable,” said Ann-Marie.
Peter Lodge, Industrial Disease Claims Specialist at BPE Solicitors, was a key note speaker at a national conference on the topic of noise-induced hearing loss.
The medicolegal course, which took place at University Hospital Coventry last month, provided other consultants and senior registrars with an update on the medical and legal issues relating to noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus.
BPE’s personal injury team is ranked by two independent legal directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers UK, who say that it is one of the leading practices in the South West.
