In the Beginning….
EVERYTHING starts with a risk assessment.
OK, not quite everything, but you get the picture as far as workplace health goes. Except that it’s not always obvious which risks should be on your to do list. Fortunately, this is one of the few times where noise is more user-friendly than some other risks at work. And it is worth revisiting what we mean by “noise” since the HSE has been on a noise push since 2024.
Simply put, if you have to raise your voice to speak to someone two metres away, your workplace may be noisy enough to put hearing at risk.
This 2 metre shout test is not a scientific measurement, but it is a useful rule of thumb. In fact, understanding noise risk is so important and the shout test is so useful that the 2 metre shout test is Table 1 in HSE L108 – the keystone of NIHL. If normal conversation becomes difficult at that distance, noise levels could be approaching the point where action is needed.
Risk Assessment & the Hierarchy of Control
The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides clear guidance on employers’ responsibilities when workers are exposed to noise. These duties include assessing noise risks, implementing control measures and providing hearing protection where necessary. Health surveillance is intrinsic to hearing conservation when employees are regularly exposed to hazardous noise levels and it plays a critical role in protecting hearing health. Regular hearing tests can identify early signs of noise-induced hearing loss, often before employees become aware of any problems themselves. Early detection allows employers to review controls and prevent further damage.
This is where Health Wizard’s user-administered OH hearing test, Hearing Wizard can help. Designed to support OH providers and workplace health surveillance programmes, it enables employees to complete hearing assessments conveniently and efficiently, while providing employers with valuable information to help meet their obligations under HSE guidance.
If the 2 metre shout test is relevant to your workplace, it is worth asking a bigger question: Are you doing enough to protect your employees’ hearing?
Get in touch to schedule a hands-on demo of Hearing Wizard for your business.