Is Workplace Noise Exposure “A Growing National Problem”? The ATA Thinks So…

Each year in the U.S., roughly 30 million American workers are exposed to excessive noise in their workplaces, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Such dangerous levels of consistent workplace noise exposure can put workers at risk of sustaining serious injuries, including:

• The ATA believes that workplace noise exposure is a national health problem but that there are things that can be done to protect workers’ hearing and reverse this trend. Tinnitus
• Hyperacusis
• Deafness
• Physical and emotional stress.

The American Tinnitus Association (ATA), which is an organization dedicated to funding research to cure tinnitus, is now urging employers throughout the U.S. to take a serious look at their workplace noise exposure and consider taking action to better protect their workers’ hearing.

As Cara James, the executive director of the ATA, has explained:

Workplace noise exposure is a growing national health issue that seriously jeopardizes the long-term well-being of workers and the overall productivity of businesses… fortunately, this is a crisis that can be averted through simple preventive measures. ATA encourages both employers and employees to take active steps to protect their hearing and minimize the long-term risks of noise exposure.

How to Limit Workplace Noise Exposure, According to the ATA

As part of its ongoing campaign to bring attention to protecting workers from excessive workplace noise exposure, the ATA has offered some tips help both employers and workers limit this noise and protect people’s hearing:

• For employers, make sure the workplace noise exposure limits are less than OSHA’s maximum level of 85 decibels. If possible, get the workplace noise exposure levels well below this 85-decibel maximum.
• Provide (employers) and wear (workers) hearing protection gear, such as ear plugs, earmuffs or noise cancellation gear.
• For employers, consider installing new, quieter equipment or even making changes to the workplace layout to minimize the potential noise in it.
• For workers, regularly get your hearing checked to monitor if or when it may be impacted by workplace noise exposure.

Denver Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at the Law Office of Steven J. Picardi

Have you or has someone you love suffered on-the-job hearing loss or any workplace injury? If so, you can rely on the trusted Denver workers’ compensation attorneys at the Law Office of Steven J. Picardi.

With more than 30 years of combined workers’ compensation experience, our experienced lawyers have extensive knowledge of Colorado workers’ compensation law, strong credentials and a significant record of success when it comes to effectively defending employers and representing injured employees in all phases of workers’ compensation litigation. Our firm’s lawyers remain abreast of the latest changes in workers’ compensation laws and are ready to use their skills and knowledge to your advantage.

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For experienced legal advocacy in defending or filing a workers’ compensation claim, contact the Picardi Law Firm today and schedule an initial consultation with one of our attorneys. To set up this meet, call (303) 778-8881, or email us using the contact form at the top of the screen.

From our offices in Parker, Colorado, we provide superior legal services and representation to individuals and businesses throughout Colorado.