Protect your hearing

BACK TO YOU: DON HURST

Heavy construction worksites are noisy and can pose risks for industry workers. Failing to protect your hearing can lead to permanent hearing loss.

Workers can do their part by practicing prevention to ensure they are wearing their hearing protection properly. This includes ear plugs or ear muffs.

For employers, it’s important to be mindful of the risks your employees may be exposed to from vehicle noise to equipment noise; hearing damage can take years to develop.

Hearing loss is preventable.

Here’s how we suggest protecting yourself:

  • Limit the time spent in loud work environments or rotate tasks
  • Know the signs – symptoms of hearing loss include pain, ringing in the ears or difficulty hearing sounds
  • Wear proper hearing protection

Employers are required to provide hearing tests for workers exposed to average noise levels above 85 dBA and take appropriate preventive measures to control the risks. These tests must be conducted annually.

The Hearing Conservation and Noise Control regulations can be found in Section 12 of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulations. Additionally, should you have questions on the hazards of hearing or control measures, please contact your regional WORKSAFELY® advisor.