Employers are legally obliged to ensure their employees health and safety whilst in the workplace. Hearing loss and tinnitus can be debilitating and may affect quality of life and employment prospects. At risk workers include those who use power tools in the construction industry or those who work with metal, stone or wood. Industrial workers are at particular risk including those who use textile manufacturing machinery or work in the printing industry, transport or farming. Any noise above 90dB is liable to cause hearing damage and measurement apparatus is available to reveal the level of noise in the workplace. Hearing loss may be caused by exposure to substantial noise over a significant period of time however exposure need not be long-term and just a short burst of very high level noise may cause industrial deafness.
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Tinnitus
Hearing loss is not the only outcome of a noisy occupational environment. Tinnitus is also a hazard of a noisy workplace. Tinnitus is a condition in which the sufferer hears noise that is not produced by outside influences. Tinnitus usually takes the form of whistling or buzzing and is liable to be distressing and annoying for the sufferer. Some sufferers of tinnitus are aware of their condition and simply tolerate it, however it causes most people severe distress. Tinnitus is a real condition that affects hearing and can potentially affect the quality of life in a similar way to hearing loss.
SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0844 764 1354
Protective Equipment
So what should employers be doing to prevent tinnitus and industrial deafness compensation claims? They should undertake assessments of noise levels and act on the findings. They are required to ensure that the use of tools and machines which create excessive noise is limited to as few employees as possible and when employees must be exposed to it, they should ensure appropriate protective equipment is used including ear plugs and industrial ear protectors.
SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0844 764 1354
Free Legal Advice
If you would like to speak to a specialist solicitor who only deals with personal injury claims you can either use the helpline or complete the contact form or just email us. Compensation is paid in full with no deductions. You do not have to fund or finance your claim. Our claims are completely risk free. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further then you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our advice.
