New data shows that hearing loss is on the rise among oil and gas drilling workers despite their increased use of ear protection.
According to Canada's WorkSafeBC, the workers' hearing test data, collected by their employers, revealed increased incidences of hearing loss, from 33 percent in 2012 to 45 percent in 2017. Notably, 65 percent of the workers diagnosed with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL; 194 out of 294) were under 35 years old. Adding another level of concern is the finding that the percentage of workers using earplugs has actually increased from 94 to 98 percent.
"In British Columbia, employers are required under the Workers Compensation Act to provide annual hearing tests to their employees who work in hazardous noise (85dBA Lex)," explained Sasha Brown, an occupational audiologist at WorkSafeBC.
"These hearing test results are submitted to WorkSafeBC, and that data, which can be separated by industry or occupation, is continuously analyzed. Attention is paid to hearing test results that show a 15dB notch at 3, 4 or 6 kHz, or a deterioration between tests of 15 dB at 3 or 4 kHz."
WorkSafeBC, an independent statutory agency focused on the prevention of occupational injuries and diseases, receives around 170,000 hearing tests per year, and the percentage of those with hearing loss consistent with NIHL has remained about 13 percent across industries. "The high rate of hearing loss found in the oil and gas industry is much higher, above 30 percent, and for those in oil or gas drilling sector, even higher at 45 percent. This finding is concerning and warranted further investigation," Brown told The Hearing Journal.
The increased cases of NIHL despite the increased use of hearing protection may be attributed to different reasons, on top of which is the improper use of foam earplugs.
"The earplugs or earmuffs might be the wrong size, inserted or worn incorrectly, not worn for long enough, or they may not be providing enough protection for the duration and intensity of noise exposure," Brown noted.
In their report, WorkSafeBC provides measures for employers to prevent NIHL among their workers, including the monitoring of workers' proper use of sufficient and appropriate hearing protection, encouraging workers to get regular hearing tests, and identifying potential engineering controls to mitigate lessen the risk of noise exposure. "Monitoring one's hearing is also important, and comparing the results from year-to-year to see if there are any changes," said Brown. In addition, she highlights some basic but vital strategies for employers, audiologists, and hearing health professionals, who all play an important role in ensuring the hearing health of workers regularly exposed to noise.
"Educating workers is important. Workers exposed to hazardous noise levels should understand that simply wearing hearing protection might not be enough. The hearing protection must be the right size, and the wearer must be able to fit it properly and wear at all times while in hazardous noise. It must be placed before entering the noisy area, and not removed until leaving the area," stressed Brown. "Obviously, this is also important for noisy hobbies and activities outside work too."
"Workers should be taught what to look for and understand the implications. Unfortunately, hearing tests are the only way to determine if their hearing is being protected. I say 'unfortunately' because this is a lagging indicator and means that some hearing loss has occurred," said Brown. "If audiologists and hearing health professionals can help raise awareness about NIHL and how to prevent it, that alone would contribute to improving the hearing health of oil and gas, and all, workers."
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