HSE Noise at Work Update

The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) has recently issued an update on its recent inspection campaign in relation to workplace hearing protection, which has identified significant failings in employee training and equipment management. 

The campaign findings include:

• 75% of noisy workplaces lacked essential knowledge on maintaining hearing protection equipment.
• 25% of workplaces had noise levels requiring mandatory hearing protection, with a number of concerns identified around provision and management of hearing protection.

Within high noise workplaces:

• More than 75% of employees lacked essential knowledge about storing hearing protection, checking for damage, or reporting equipment faults to employers.
• 63% of employees had not received suitable guidance on the critical importance of wearing protection continuously during exposure to harmful noise levels.
• 80% of employees had received no instruction on proper wearing techniques, including avoiding interference from hats and hoods, keeping hair clear of earmuffs, or ensuring compatibility with other personal protective equipment, such as hard hats and eye protection.
• 95% of employers had failed to verify whether workers wearing hearing protection could still detect vital warning signals, such as fire alarms and vehicle reversing alerts.

To address these issues, the HSE is promoting the CUFF checking system to help employers assess hearing protection effectiveness. The acronym covers:

• Condition – regular inspection to ensure equipment remains efficient.
• Use – identify accessibility of equipment and appropriate periods for use.
• Fit the ear – correct fitting of equipment ensures the maximum potential protection.
• Fit for purpose – matching of the protection capabilities for the specific hazard.

For further information and support, please get in touch.