Temp Staffing – Noise Exposure Risks for Temporary Workers
From powerful construction and logging construction equipment to bustling restaurants and manufacturing plants, the workplace can be a noisy place! This can cause problems for temporary workers, who might not know the proper steps for reducing and avoiding common noise exposure injuries.
The Causes of Noise Exposure Injuries
Noise exposure injuries are injuries that occur when temporary workers are subjected to intense or frequent loud noises. The cause of workplace noise exposure accidents varies depending on the industry, but some of the most common causes include:
- Machinery and equipment, like chainsaws in logging and tree trimming or packaging machines in the cannabis industry
- Vehicles, including forklifts, bulldozers, and loaders
- Loud processes, like metalworking or plastic molding
- Worksite noise, like jackhammers being used at a construction site
Noise Exposure Injuries for Temporary Workers
When a temporary worker is exposed to loud noises like these, they can suffer from noise exposure injuries and other complications. These include:
- Noise-induced hearing loss: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a type of occupational noise injury. It occurs when workers suffer from prolonged exposure to loud noises, and affects the hair cells within the inner ear. NIHL often leads to pronounced hearing loss.
- Tinnitus: Tinnitus is a condition that causes buzzing, ringing, and other noises in the ear. In some cases, tinnitus is temporary, but it can also be a chronic condition, especially for workers in loud industries.
- Noise-related stress: When workers are frequently exposed to loud noises, it can lead to health issues like sleep disorders and an increased risk of mental health issues like anxiety or depression
- Cardiovascular problems: Cardiovascular complications are sometimes associated with frequent or prolonged exposure to loud noises.
- Workplace accidents: If workers have trouble hearing at work, either due to loud environments or health issues like NIHL, it increases the risk of other accidents and injuries. For instance, if a worker is unable to properly communicate due to a loud environment, they might not be able to warn another worker about a slip-and-fall risk at the worksite.
Reducing Noise Exposure Injuries for Temporary Staffing Businesses
To protect your temporary workers from common noise exposure complications, you can take steps like:
- Providing temporary workers with hearing protection equipment, like earplugs
- Training all employees, including temporary workers, on noise safety, including how to properly handle loud equipment
- Conducting regular noise level assessments
- Designing worksites to minimize the risk of noise exposure
At Work Comp Business Insurance Solutions, we help temporary staffing business owners find the best Workers’ Compensation and payroll solutions. To learn more about our services and how we can help your temporary staffing business, visit us online at https://www.wcbis.com.
