Report: Australian Workers at Risk of Injury From Noise at Work
The National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance Report: Noise Exposure and the Provision of Noise Control Measures in Australian Workplaces is releases according to Safe Work Australia Chair, Tom Phillips.
The report was developed from the National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance survey and describes the demographic and employment characteristics of workers who reported exposure to loud noise and the types of noise control measures now provided in workplaces of varies industries.
Findings:
1. Between 28% and 32% of the Australian workforce are likely to work in an environment where they are exposed to non-trivial loud noise.
2. Male workers were more likely to report exposure to loud noise than female workers.
3. Young workers were more likely to report exposure to loud noise than older workers.
4. Workers who worked at night were more likely to report exposure to loud noise than workers who worked during the day.
5. The main industries workers reported exposure to loud noise were manufacturing and construction.
6. Only 41% of exposed workers reported receiving training in noise injury prevention.
7. The types of control measures provided in a workplace were affected by industry, occupation and the number of workers.
Findings:
1. Between 28% and 32% of the Australian workforce are likely to work in an environment where they are exposed to non-trivial loud noise.
2. Male workers were more likely to report exposure to loud noise than female workers.
3. Young workers were more likely to report exposure to loud noise than older workers.
4. Workers who worked at night were more likely to report exposure to loud noise than workers who worked during the day.
5. The main industries workers reported exposure to loud noise were manufacturing and construction.
6. Only 41% of exposed workers reported receiving training in noise injury prevention.
7. The types of control measures provided in a workplace were affected by industry, occupation and the number of workers.
Phillips said the study enables governments and employers to produce better-targeted occupational health and safety policies, compliance and education campaigns to reduce the risk of workplace noise injuries. (workersxzcompxzkit)
“It is concerning that more is not being done to eliminate or reduce the exposure to noise in the workplace when occupational noise induced hearing loss is an entirely preventable but irreversible condition. In 2007-08 it led to more than 3,600 workers’ compensation claims, amounting to $41 million in workers’ compensation payouts,” Phillips said.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers' Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
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