The Barnes Firm

The Most Common Workplace Injury

• May 19, 2017
• Sandy

LOS ANGELES – The most common work-related injury doesn’t involve broken bones, or cuts, or bruises. Even the common slip-and-fall accident isn’t at the top of the list.

It’s hearing loss.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 22 million workers are constantly exposed to really loud noises every year which could, eventually, lead to hearing loss.

The problem is so prevalent that the Department of Labor estimates $242 million were spent on worker’s compensation last year for hearing loss disability alone. Last month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created a “think tank,” called the ‘Hear and Now – Noise Safety Challenge.’ Its goal is to come up with new and innovative ideas to raise awareness and, potentially, curb the number of workers suffering from job-related hearing loss.

A Los Angeles construction accident lawyer at The Barnes Firm says new ideas are always welcome but the technology to reduce hearing loss injuries already exists.

“Construction workers and manufacturers have the highest risk of losing their sense of hearing due to loud noises on the job in Los Angeles,” construction accident attorney John Sheehan said. “Most employers know this fact but few provide workers with sound-protection equipment.”

Many critics believe sound regulations developed by OSHA are outdated and they don’t factor-in cumulative risks, such as concerts and sporting events where more loud noises can unknowingly add to a worker’s stress and speed hearing loss.

Los Angeles construction accident lawyers say employers must also be responsible and properly train workers to protect themselves when possible.

“Many workers don’t use hearing protection because they are not aware of the risks until it’s too late,” Sheehan said. “Even moderate levels of noise can be dangerous and diminish a worker’s sense of hearing. That’s why education and training is an important key to avoiding these construction accidents.”

One medical study discovered that the employees who suffer most from hearing loss were working in moderate-noise environments. Those who worked on high-noise sites more frequently wore hearing protection.

OSHA requires employers to test noise levels on the job and provide hearing protection and notification to workers who are exposed to noise for eight hours or if the noise reaches an average of 90 decibels in a day.

“There are other options too,” Sheehan said. “Employers can construct sound barriers or, in many cases, they can use quieter equipment but many of them just offer hearing protection because it’s the cheapest option.”

Los Angeles construction accident lawyers say training is still the most common missing component and there are many workers who don’t know that their hearing is at risk.

The issue simply needs more attention and awareness. Some workplaces have begun training workers and educating them about the risks but, unfortunately, most workers aren’t hearing enough.

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