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Protect your ears on the farm
17 July 2009
~ Farm Safety Week ~ 20-25 July 2009
Noise injury affects the hearing of up to two thirds of the farming community, both young and old.
Hunter New England Health is encouraging farmers during Farm Safety Week to think about ways to protect their hearing while on the farm – and to have a hearing check up.
Clinical Nurse Consultant Audiometrist Kathy Challinor said noise injury is caused when excessive noise damages the thousands of tiny hair cells in the inner ear (cochlear).
“The process of hearing loss through noise injury is not something that causes pain, it happens over time and unfortunately, it’s permanent,” Ms Challinor said.
“But it is also preventable.
“Without appropriate protection farmers are at risk of noise injury through many sources on their farms, including tractors with no cabin, workshop tools, fire arms, heavy machinery and chainsaws,” she said.
“For each activity, not all farmers always wear hearing protection such as ear muffs or ear plugs.
“The degree of noise injury will depend on the length of time exposed to noise, as well as how loud the noise is,” she said.
Signs of noise injury and hearing loss include:
• Difficulty hearing on the telephone, watching television, in meetings or during conversations at work, or when there is background noise
• Tinnitus (noises in the ears or head)
Ms Challinor said ear muffs or ear plugs are both suitable forms of hearing protection, but they must fit well, be clean, seal well and be Australian Standards approved.
“We’re encouraging farmers to reduce farm noise and exposure wherever possible, as well as using hearing protection,” she said.
Tips include:
• Using a quieter alternative where possible
• Put up noise barriers or insulated walls to isolate workers from noise
• Place and maintain mufflers on motorised equipment
• Rearrange workshop layout to dissipate noise
• Regularly maintain equipment – engines, seals, brackets
• Limit time exposed to noise in any one day (rotate tasks)
• Provide hearing protection and information to workers, including safety signs for noisy areas and encourage them to wear it.
Finally, it’s important for farmers who think they have experienced hearing loss to have a hearing test done. Contact your local community health centre to arrange a hearing test or visit the Hunter New England Health stall at Ag-Quip in Gunnedah next month.
Contact: Emma Gibbs
Phone: 02-6767 7137
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