Hearing conservation in roofing

October is National Protect Your Hearing Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year, and the sixth edition of the CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training Construction Chart Book reports that of roofing workers averaging more than 20 years of exposure, 53% had material hearing impairment.

According to recent data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, nearly 14% of construction workers have hearing difficulties, with 7% experiencing ringing in the ears called “tinnitus.” NIOSH further reports nearly one in four noise-exposed construction workers have hearing impairment that affects daily activities. Despite being preventable, NIOSH also notes 51% of construction workers have been exposed to hazardous levels of noise, with more than half of those workers not wearing hearing protection.

The good news is hearing loss is preventable. It is crucial to recognize damaging levels of noise; for example, hearing can be damaged by regular eight-hour exposures to 85 decibels. Some possible sources of hazardous noise are equipment such as forklifts at 88 dBA; impact noises such as hammering or pneumatic nail guns that can range anywhere from 85-140 dBA; and gas-powered equipment such as roof saws and kettle burners that can produce noises exceeding 100 dBA.

Repeated exposure to noises as loud as 100 dBA can damage hearing in as little as one hour. Some indicators to look for in your workplace are temporary changes in hearing (ears feel stuffy) as you exit a noisy area; having to raise your voice to speak to someone 2 to 3 feet (an arm’s length) away; or the experience of mild ringing or whooshing noises that go away after a couple of hours. Using a sound level meter can help determine noise exposures in the workplace. If you do not have a sound level meter, NIOSH has developed a Sound Level Meter App for iOS devices to help with noise exposure measurements in the workplace.

When noise levels are hazardous in the workplace, there are various methods to reduce potential exposures. In some work environments, noise controls can be implemented to reduce worker noise exposure; even a reduction of 3 dB can significantly reduce worker risk of hearing loss. Buy Quiet is a NIOSH initiative that encourages the purchase and use of quieter machinery and tools to reduce the effects of noise. Consider small changes to work methods that can reduce noise exposure; for example, increasing distance from noisy processes or decreasing the time of exposure.

An often-underused resource in the fight against hearing impairment is personal protective equipment such as earplugs and earmuffs. Communication is critical to a safe worksite, so avoid overprotection by selecting hearing protection that reduces noise exposure down to 75-85 dB by using noise-reduction ratings to help with PPE selection. Consider a variety of hearing protection equipment to allow for worker comfort and proper fit, which will promote use. A tip for proper fit: Count out loud while slowly cupping and uncupping your hands over your ears to check earplug fit. If the noise sounds about the same as you cup and uncup your ears, this is a sign of a good fit.

When your hearing is gone, you cannot get it back. Take the time and steps now to protect it for the long haul.

For more information about protecting workers’ hearing, visit NRCA’s safety webpage. Members also are encouraged to access NRCA’s toolbox talks for additional resources to educate workers. In addition, CPWR provides training tools regarding hearing loss prevention, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides information about hearing loss in construction.

If you have questions about hearing loss in construction, please contact Rich Trewyn, NRCA’s director of risk education and training, at rtrewyn@nrca.net or Adrianne Anglin, director of safety and risk management, at aanglin@nrca.net.

Date : Jan. 01, 0001