By Katie Koebel, audiologist and senior manager of audiology at HearingLife

The central theses:

• In the food industry, workers are exposed to high levels of machine noise, which creates a significant risk of hearing loss. It is important to recognize this risk and take proactive steps to protect workers’ hearing.

• To reduce the risk of hearing loss and maintain compliance, implementing comprehensive hearing protection programs that include noise monitoring, reduction strategies, hearing protection equipment, and regular hearing testing is critical.

• Prioritizing hearing health not only protects employee well-being, but also leads to increased productivity, improved morale, a strong safety culture, and long-term cost savings for the company.

Noise-induced hearing loss is a major problem in the food industry, where employees are frequently exposed to high decibel levels from various machines and equipment. Understanding and mitigating these risks is critical to protecting employee hearing health and ensuring a safe and productive work environment.

Food manufacturing must deal with numerous sources of hazardous noise, in addition to legal and regulatory requirements to limit noise exposure. Therefore, implementing comprehensive hearing protection programs is an effective strategy to prioritize hearing health. By doing so, companies can improve employee well-being, increase productivity and achieve long-term cost savings, ultimately leading to a safer and more sustainable industry.

Understanding the risks

Any noise above 85 dB (decibels, the unit of measurement for sound) can cause hearing loss after a period of time, with noise above 120 dB causing immediate and severe hearing loss. There are many loud noises in the food industry that can exceed this threshold over the course of a shift, including:

• Compressed air: 120 to 130 dB
• Chainsaws: up to 100 dB
• Packaging machines: 85 to 90 dB
• Hammer mills: 95 to 100 dB
• High pressure cleaner: 70 to 100 dB

In the manufacturing industry, approx. 18% of employees report hearing problems, 11% have tinnitusAnd 28% say they do not use hearing protection.

Legal and regulatory requirements

If the noise level exceeds 80 dB over a period of eight hours, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) recommends the introduction of a hearing protection program. According to Ontario’s Noise protection regulationswhich applies to all workplaces subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the highest permissible exposure limit is 85 dB, averaged over a period of eight hours. The The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a similar standardrequires employers to implement a hearing protection program when the average noise exposure is 85 decibels or more over a period of eight hours.

Implementation of effective hearing protection programs

If your workplace exceeds the above limits, it is extremely important to implement a hearing protection program. This includes training and awareness courses for employees and management, appropriate hearing protection equipment and regular audiometric testing for employees.

Noise monitoring

To determine the noise level during an average workday, you can conduct noise monitoring and assess it. This can be done using a sound meter – either one placed near key equipment to measure its noise levels throughout the day, or one attached to an employee’s body to measure how much noise they are exposed to. Once you know the noise level, you can estimate how much noise reduction is needed to protect employees’ hearing.

Noise reduction

Noise can be reduced either at the source, by creating a barrier between the noisy equipment and the operator, or at the ear. To reduce noise at the ear, employees can wear earplugs or earmuffs, which can reduce noise levels by 20 to 35 dB, depending on the type of hearing protection. Job rotation can also be introduced, with employees working in quieter workstations for part of their shifts so that the average limit of 85 dB is not exceeded, or rest periods can be introduced throughout the day when noise must not exceed a certain level.

Hearing tests

Training employees and managers is also important so that everyone understands the risks and knows how to mitigate them. Regular hearing tests ensure that everyone is aware of the current state of their hearing and can identify signs of hearing loss early so it can be treated.

The role of employees

A large proportion of workers in the manufacturing industry do not wear hearing protection, even though noise levels in the manufacturing industry can exceed the daily average of 85 dB. Emphasizing the importance of hearing protection in improving long-term health and ensuring that employees understand the importance of the hearing protection program can improve compliance and thus reduce the incidence of hearing loss in the manufacturing industry.

Employees should also report and address potential noise hazards, such as when equipment has become louder than usual or when new equipment is louder than expected.

Benefits of prioritizing hearing health

Prioritizing hearing health benefits all levels of the food industry. Reducing the prevalence and cases of Hearing loss Employees’ well-being and quality of life are improved. This effect also helps to increase their productivity and reduce absenteeism due to hearing problems, pain or emergency appointments.

Improved hearing health and concern for employee well-being boosts morale and creates a workplace safety culture where employees and managers care about everyone’s safety in all areas – and that goes beyond hearing health.

Hearing conservation programs also result in long-term cost savings for the company. They can reduce the amount they have to pay for their employees’ disability or medical expenses because fewer employees ultimately need hearing aids.

The importance of hearing health in food production

Prioritizing hearing health in the food industry is not only a legal requirement, but a critical aspect of employee well-being. By understanding the risks associated with noise exposure, implementing effective hearing protection programs and promoting a culture of safety, companies can significantly reduce the incidence of hearing loss and improve the quality of life of their employees.

Promoting the use of hearing protection, conducting regular training and maintaining open communication about potential hazards are essential steps in this process. The benefits of such initiatives go beyond regulatory compliance and result in improved employee morale, increased productivity and long-term cost savings. Ultimately, protecting hearing health is an investment in the safety and success of the workforce and the industry as a whole.

Katie Koebel is an audiologist and senior manager of audiology at ListenLifeCanada’s largest group of hearing centers. Katie is a CASLPO registered audiologist and has been providing the best possible hearing care to her clients with HearingLife for over 17 years.