The manufacturing industry continues to report increasing incidents of occupational deafness at a higher rate than the construction and utilities sectors. [1] The Health & Safety Executive also reports that industrial hearing loss generally is the occupational disease with the highest number of civil claims, accounting for up to 75% of all claims depending on the sector.[2] Loud machinery, noisy processes, and equipment are synonymous with life in a manufacturing facility and related noise exposure issues remain an underreported issue in the UK. The exposure is preventable but, once the damage has been done, the effects are often permanent with devastating consequences on an individual’s work and personal life.
In a bid to increase awareness of the issue and to demonstrate the practical solutions that can be implemented to mitigate the problem, the Casella round table event will gather leading influencers in the sector to consider the issues and share experiences. Results of a recent survey conducted by Works Management in conjunction with Casella will also be debated, with key topics including current NIHL management budget allocations, preventable steps that should be considered now, and who is responsible for monitoring the exposure. Tim Turney, Technical Product Manager commented “We are looking forward to debating this serious issue with the people who will be able to drive a solution forward. Manufacturing will always be one of the most important industries in the UK and we need to ensure that the workforce is looked after. It’s time to act now before it is far too late.”
Casella is dedicated to reducing occupational health and environmental risks through a core competence in dust, noise and vibration monitoring. To find out more about Casella, please visit www.casellasolutions.com. Further reports on the roundtable will follow.
