Protectiong our Workers with...

The number of occupational deafness cases recognized by the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) has exploded in recent years. In 2007, the CNESST recorded 2,324 cases, but that number skyrocketed to 8,872 in 20171. That spike clearly shows how important it is to establish noise-reduction measures in the workplace. After all, workers’ hearing safety is at stake.

In many companies, workers use disposable foam earplugs to protect their hearing. However, they aren’t the safest or most suitable solution. Because each person’s anatomy is different, these noise protectors can be inserted incorrectly and cause discomfort. What’s more, improper insertion decreases their effectiveness and increases risks to the person’s hearing.

We recommend that employers protect their team members by opting for custom noise protectors instead. Made from a mold of the person’s ear, these are more comfortable and provide better protection. That makes workers more likely to wear them regularly.

This is all the more important because it’s been shown that removing a hearing protector, even for a short time, significantly reduces the protection factor. For example, if an earmold with 25 dB attenuation is removed for 5 minutes an hour, it is estimated that the total protection will drop to approximately 11 dB2. In other words, hearing protectors need to be worn at all times to be fully effective.

There are many types of custom noise protectors for people who work in noisy environments. They canchoose full ear protectors, ones that reduce the noise of impacts or earmolds with acoustic filters. The latter allow speech frequencies to pass through, so workers can talk to their colleagues while remaining protected from loud noises. Custom noise protectors should be chosen according to each person’s needs.

Good hearing protection has many benefits for workers. In particular, it improves motivation and performance as it helps reduce auditory fatigue. In the long term, it also reduces the prevalence of occupational deafness, as well as the number of claims submitted to the CNESST. Of course, it’s still important to reduce noise at the source. We need to do everything we can to prevent occupational deafness, because there is no cure!

In Quebec, the limit for noise exposure over an 8-hour period is currently 90 dB(A)*. Once that noise level is reached, the worker must wear hearing protection. However, studies show that only 35% of workers routinely use hearing protectors and 41% never use them3.

References:

Bill 59, An Act to modernize the occupational health and safety regime,would however reduce this level to 85 dB(A). In Quebec, the limit for noise exposure over an 8-hour period is currently 90 dB(A). Once that noise level is reached, the worker must wear hearing protection. However, studies show that only 35% of workers routinely use hearing protectors and 41% never use them3.