Noise Can Slowly Damage Hearing
In Alaska’s loudest jobs such as drilling on an oil rig or sanding plywood, a year can wear down a person’s hearing. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires hearing conservation (including audiograms) whenever noise reaches hazardous levels. Alarmingly, about 12% of all workers report hearing difficulty. For Alaska industries like construction and many more, this means many workers could be losing hearing gradually.
Why Yearly Hearing Tests Are Important
Testing each year catches any drop in hearing early. If an audiogram shows hearing loss, you can then improve protections.
This is including, but not limited to, requiring double hearing protection, rotating workers to quieter tasks, or fixing noisy machinery. In short, testing helps stop small hearing changes from becoming permanent deafness.
What Employers Should Do To Keep Workers Safe
Employers should make hearing protection a daily habit. Workers need to wear protection whenever noise goes above 85 decibels, and posting noise charts can help remind everyone.
A hearing conservation program is essential. Workers should get a baseline hearing test when starting a noisy job and yearly follow-ups. Tests should be done by trained, and OSHA companies.
If a worker’s hearing test shows a slight shift, employers should respond quickly. The worker should be informed and offered better protection, Re- educate employees on wearing earplugs or earmuffs correctly every time. Use visuals (charts of safe noise levels) in crew areas. Encourage taking quiet breaks on long noisy jobs.These habits build a safer work environment and help maintain healthy hearing.
The Long-Term Benefits
By catching hearing changes early, you keep crews on the job and avoid bigger problems later. Routine tests show your company cares about hearing safety, which encourages workers to keep protectors on. Over time, annual audiograms not only follow OSHA’s guidelines but save hearing and reduce medical costs for your team.
Keep Your Team Safe with MedPhysicals Plus
Protect your team by catching early signs of hearing loss, and keep everyone healthy. Schedule screenings with MedPhysicals Plus and together, we can prevent long-term hearing damage and maintain a safer workplace.
Call (907) 561-7587, email admin@medphysicalsplus.com, or visit medphysicalsplus.com.