Accidents in the workplace can take many forms, but many people fail to think about the potential hearing loss that can occur in occupations that are exposed to high levels of noise. Working in extremely loud environments over a long period of time can leave a person with permanent hearing loss; something they may not realize until it is too late. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), noise-related hearing loss has been listed as one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for more than 25 years. Approximately 30 million people in this country are occupationally exposed to hazardous noise every single year.
If you work in a noisy industry, it’s your employer’s job to try and protect you from hearing loss and other dangers. If you are currently suffering from hearing loss related to your job, consider contacting a Harrisburg workers’ compensation attorney. Harrisburg law firm Schmidt Kramer can help make sure you’re getting the proper compensation at you deserve. Call today for a free consultation at (717) 888-8888.
So, how are you supposed to know if your workplace is too loud? OSHA says there are a few easy signs you can look out for:
- If you hearing a ringing or humming in your ears when you leave work
- If you experience temporary hearing loss when you leave work
- If you have to shout to be heard by a co-worker an arm’s length away
Noise is measured in decibels, and OSHA sets a limit on noise up to 90 decibels for up to 8 hours a day. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health thinks that level should be 85 decibels or below. To put those numbers into perspective, a heavy truck is usually about 85 decibels, while a jackhammer goes over the limit to 95 decibels.