NOW HEAR THIS!

Keywords: Hearing loss Noise Noise and vibration control Use of personal protective equipment

Take action to protect your hearing

Illustration of a worker operating a bulldozer but with the cab door open, with a red X in the corner of the image used to represent this activity as a poor practice in relation to hearing protection while operating equipment.
Use Available Noise Controls
  • Remain inside cabs or other enclosures with the windows and doors closed
  • Replace noise controls (e.g., curtains, seals) after equipment maintenance or inspection as needed
 Illustration of a worker operating a bulldozer with the cab door closed, with a green check mark in the corner of the image used to represent this activity as a good practice in relation to hearing protection while operating equipment.
Illustration of ore on a moving conveyor belt and with the conveyor belt roller making noise and requiring lubrication, with a red X in the corner of the image used to represent this maintenance need as a poor practice in relation to protecting worker hearing.
Maintain Equipment
  • Ensure correct machine lubrication, belt and bolt tension, and motor performance
  • Replace broken, worn out, and misused parts that contribute to equipment noise
 Illustration of ore on a stopped conveyor belt with a roller being lubricated, with a green check mark in the corner of the image used to represent this activity as a good maintenance practice that will help protect worker hearing.
Illustration of two workers standing near a loud crusher and straining to hear each other talking, with a red X in the corner of the image used to represent this as a poor practice in relation to communication around noise.
Move Away from Loud Areas
  • Avoid circumstances where communication is affected by noise
  • Take scheduled breaks and lunch breaks in quiet areas
 Illustration of two workers standing in an open area and communicating comfortably, with a green check mark in the corner of the image used to represent this activity as a good practice in relation to communicating on a job site away from noise.
Illustration of a worker standing near to a piece of equipment and wincing uncomfortably due to a lack of hearing protection, with a red X in the corner of the image used to represent this as a poor practice.
Use Hearing Protection
  • Use hearing protection consistently when working in noise
  • Ensure protection is correctly worn with other safety equipment and is comfortable for extended wear
 Illustration of a worker standing near to a piece of equipment and smiling comfortably while wearing hearing protection, with a green check mark in the corner of the image used to represent this as a good practice.

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2020-112
DOI: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/works/coversheet2139.html

See Also
Page last reviewed: April 23, 2020
Page last updated: February 19, 2020
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program