Learning from One Man’s Fight for Hearing Loss Compensation
In an article catered to HR Professionals we learn both what employees and employers should know, in order to protect their rights regarding hearing health in the workplace. This particular account portrays the life of a paper plant employee, who worked unprotected (from hearing hazards) for three decades, as a result of missing hearing health policies issued by his company. As the decades wore on and new management took over, new policies were put in place to protect staff; but unfortunately for this company, the man had sustained decades of injuries by that time and needed to be monetarily compensated for his injuries.
What Employers Should Know
In the present day, there is no excuse for not having a hearing protection policy at your business, especially if your organization requires the use of equipment over ninety decibels. “Ninety decibels is the threshold under state law for determining if noise is “harmful” (i.e. whether it is capable of producing occupational loss of hearing.)” This requires businesses to monitor the level of noise emitted from their equipment. As well as establish a mandatory rule that hearing protection be used, and additionally instruct employees on how to use said protection. These initial steps will protect both your employees and your company from potential lawsuit.
What Employees Should Know
Similarly employees must know their rights. It is appropriate for one’s employer to offer hearing checks if there is reason to believe the noise emitted in the workplace could be deemed “harmful.” Protection should be offered and knowledge disseminated on how to use said protection as well. Employees should take special note of their hearing health and keep detailed records of their condition. If the above precautions are not met, an employee has the right to seek compensation for any potential damage based on their corroborated account of hearing loss, provided in support by a hearing professional or Audiologist.
CLICK HERE to read the original article and learn more about how to protect hearing health in the work place.