By Cindy Granier
As the Environmental Health and Life Safety Department continues to promote June as National Safety Month, the National Safety Council encourages extra care and precaution in maintaining personal and work safety.
Noise pollution and hearing loss are one of the biggest safety concerns in the summer. Environmental Health and Life Safety urges everyone to be mindful of the high noise levels on campus, in neighborhoods and on the road during the next several months. Employees working with motorized lawn equipment outdoors or heavy machinery indoors are especially susceptible to hearing loss or hearing damage.
Noise and vibration can harm workers when they occur at high levels or an extended period of time. Noise may be a problem for someone in the workplace if:
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has recommended that exposure to noise in the workplace should be below a level equivalent to 85 decibels for eight hours to minimize occupational noise-induced hearing loss. Employees can be protected by administrative controls, engineering controls and personal protective equipment, such as ear plugs and ear muffs.
Further information can be obtained online. Contact Environmental Health and Life Safety with any questions or concerns at 713-743-5858 or ehs@uh.edu.