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Constant exposure to loud noise negatively impacts worker productivity and performance. It can interfere with concentration, communication, and the ability to focus on tasks. This could lead to errors, reduced efficiency, and decreased overall productivity, which will ultimately affect your company's bottom line.
Prolonged exposure to loud noise causes stress, fatigue, and psychological discomfort for employees. This results in decreased job satisfaction, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover rates. Employers who prioritize employee well-being and create a comfortable work environment are more likely to retain and attract skilled workers.
When noise reaches an unsafe level, workers can take steps to protect their hearing, such as using earplugs or earmuffs.
spacebands’ wearable device alerts users of the need to wear PPE to protect their hearing.
By reducing the risk of hearing loss, employers can avoid compensation claims, medical expenses, productivity loss, and legal fees.
spacebands are helping Health & Safety managers around the world reduce accidents, injuries and legal claims
A lot of our workers move between different areas during their shifts, which makes it hard to track what kind of dB exposure they are having. spacebands wearables allow us to know exactly the exposure for each worker, allowing us to take remedial action if required.
We can set our daily limit values and get alerts when our workers are reaching them, so we know who needs to go where, and when.
The analytics are amazing, offering advice on which wearables have had too much exposure and other useful insights.
One of the potential hurdles for us was our trade union, who quite rightly, want to protect the privacy of our workers. spacebands work anonymously, you could assign a wearable to a specific worker, but we use it holisticallly to measure noise exposure in a more general sense.
We started off with spacebands on one site, and we've just rolled them out on another 3 sites. We don't just use them for NIHL, but also for HAVS, machine collisions and PPE reminders.
We find them really useful to get an overview on different hazards and the team actually use them, which makes my life easier!
Investing in spacebands is a great way to prove to your workforce that you genuinely care about their safety and well-being at work.
Our system keeps employees safe, as well as saving HSE managers significant time spent on admin, freeing up time to focus on keeping your team safe.
spacebands are helping Health & Safety managers around the world reduce accidents, injuries and legal claims
In most countries, workplace noise levels are regulated by health and safety legislation. Specific legal responsibilities may vary depending on the country and jurisdiction you are in. You should consult with your local health and safety authority or legal advisor for more information on your specific obligations. Our device default settings can prompt your staff to protect themselves from long-term damage, but the device simply offers a guide to positive actions.
Certain industries are more prone to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to the nature of the work involved. Some of the industries that are most commonly associated with NIHL include:
Construction: Workers in construction are often exposed to high levels of noise from heavy machinery, power tools, and equipment.
Manufacturing: Factory workers are exposed to noise from machinery, conveyor belts, and assembly lines.
Transportation: Drivers of heavy vehicles such as trucks, buses, and trains are often exposed to high levels of noise from the engines and road or track noise.
Mining: Workers in mining may be exposed to noise from drilling, blasting, and heavy machinery.
Entertainment: Musicians, DJs, and sound engineers are at risk of developing NIHL due to exposure to loud music and equipment.
Military: Military personnel are exposed to noise from firearms, explosions, and aircraft.
It is important to note that NIHL can affect anyone who is exposed to loud noise over a prolonged period, regardless of industry or occupation.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 billion workers worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to excessive noise levels in the workplace. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels each year.
The symptoms of NIHL can vary in severity and may include:
Difficulty hearing: People with NIHL may experience difficulty hearing or understanding speech, particularly in noisy environments.
Ringing in the ears: Tinnitus is a common symptom of NIHL. It can manifest as a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds in the ears that are not present in the external environment.
Sensitivity to noise: People with NIHL may become more sensitive to loud sounds.
Muffled or distorted hearing: Sounds may become muffled or distorted, making it difficult to understand speech or hear certain frequencies.
Loss of hearing in one or both ears: NIHL can lead to partial or complete hearing loss in one or both ears.
It is important to note that the symptoms of NIHL may not be noticeable immediately after exposure to loud noise, and may worsen over time with continued exposure.
Various jobs, tools, and equipment can cause hearing loss due to exposure to high levels of noise.
Jobs: Construction workers, factory workers, miners, military personnel, firefighters, musicians, and those in the transportation industry such as pilots, truck drivers, and train operators are among the professions that are at a higher risk of developing hearing loss due to exposure to loud noise.
Tools and equipment: Power tools, such as drills, saws, and sanders, and heavy machinery, such as bulldozers and backhoes, can generate high levels of noise. Other equipment that can cause hearing loss includes chainsaws, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and even hair dryers.
Explosives: Explosives used in construction, mining, and military operations can cause extremely loud noise that can cause hearing loss.
Firearms: Firearms produce loud noise that can damage hearing. This includes guns used for hunting, target shooting, and law enforcement/military purposes.
Music equipment: Musicians, sound engineers, and DJs are exposed to loud music equipment such as amplifiers, speakers, and microphones.
The decibel level at which sound becomes dangerous depends on the duration of exposure. Generally, exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels (dB) for a prolonged period can cause hearing damage. For this reason, our devices are set up with an alert when a sound above 85dB is heard; this data is then stored within the device so that you can make informed decisions about your safety.
