According to the Centers for Disease Control, roughly 16% of noise-exposed workers have a material hearing impairment that impacts their day-to-day lives. Thirteen percent of those tested also demonstrated hearing impairment in both ears.

Many industries expose workers to excessive noise levels. However, the industrial heating and cooling industry is one of the top contributors.

Those who work in these fields must take extra precautions to protect themselves and their colleagues or employees.

Some of the most effective strategies for mitigating the harmful effects of industrial heating and cooling equipment noise are discussed below.

Causes and Effects of Heating/Cooling Equipment Noise

Tools and equipment are the most common contributors to hearing damage from heating and cooling equipment noise.

Many tools heating and cooling professionals use, such as drills and vacuums, are very loud. Exposure for hours can progressively harm one’s hearing, meaning it may take several months, or even years, before they notice hearing impairments.

In addition to hearing damage, exposure to loud noises, vibrations, and other common sensations presented by industrial heating and cooling equipment can cause long-term health effects.

Some of the most well-known effects associated with industrial noise pollution are listed below:

• High blood pressure
• Increased stress and anxiety
• Fatigue
• Mood swings and temper changes
• Communication difficulties
• Headaches
• Sleep disturbances

These and other results of noise pollution can also interfere with employee productivity.

How to Minimize Effects of Noise Exposure

The effects of prolonged exposure to industrial heating and cooling equipment noise can be quite severe. However, employers can also take many steps to mitigate these effects, including the following:

Assess the Noise Hazards

The first step to addressing the effects of loud equipment is to assess the noise hazards at your workplace. Employers can evaluate these factors to decide whether the noise employees are exposed to is safe:

• Intensity/loudness: Units are described in decibels (dB); Sounds below 70 dB are generally considered safe (prolonged exposure to sounds 85 dB and above is likely to cause hearing damage)
• Frequency: Measured in hertz; Frequencies between 3000-4000 Hz are most likely to damage human hearing
• Duration: The length of time employees are exposed to noise

Based on the results of their assessment, employers may decide that they need to take additional steps to protect employees from hearing damage.

Implement a Hearing Conservation Program

To protect workers from excessive noise exposure, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that employers must implement a hearing conservation program in the following situations:

• Noise exposure is at or above 85 dB
• The noise stays at or above 85 dB over eight working hours or an eight-hour, time-weighted average.

A hearing conservation program will help employees learn how to preserve and protect their hearing while preventing occupational hearing loss from occurring.

Employers have quite a bit of freedom when designing and implementing their programs. However, they must measure noise levels, offer free annual hearing exams, provide hearing protection, and conduct regular evaluations to assess hearing protection device efficacy.

Invest in Noise-Reducing Systems and Equipment

Some pieces of modern industrial heating and cooling equipment include noise-reducing features to protect users and reduce the risk of hearing damage.

If it has been a long time since you replaced or updated your equipment, transitioning to noise-reducing systems and items can help you protect your employees. As a bonus, investing in new equipment may also increase productivity and performance.

Provide Proper Personal Protective Equipment

According to OSHA guidelines, employers must provide hearing protection to all workers exposed to noise levels of 85 dB or higher for a time-weighted average (TWA) of eight hours.

When they abide by this requirement, employers can reduce the chances of employees experiencing hearing loss or worsening existing hearing loss.

Employees must wear their hearing protectors in the following situations:

• For any period greater than six months from the time they are initially exposed to noise levels of 85 dB or above for an eight-hour TWA
• It’s been determined that their work makes them susceptible to hearing damage
• They are exposed to noise over 90 dB over an eight-hour TWA

Employees should have the option to choose between at least one type of hearing plug (earplugs) and one type of hearing muff (ear muffs). In situations where employees are exposed to high levels of noise, it is important to provide an extra layer of hearing protection (plugs and muffs) ensuring maximum safety and noise reduction.

How to Choose the Right Hearing Protection Equipment

When selecting equipment to preserve and protect employee hearing, consider the following guidelines:

• Decibels of sound reduction: Most packages of earplugs or ear muffs feature a label indicating the number of decibels by which they reduce sound; For example, ear plugs that reduce sound by 10 dB would bring sound levels of 95 dB down to a more desirable 85 dB.
• Worksite and job tasks: It also helps to consider the work environment and the types of tasks each employee must perform. The more time employees spend around loud equipment or in noisy situations, the more critical it is for them to wear hearing protection equipment and choose options with a higher amount of sound reduction.
• Comfort and convenience: Comfort and convenience (i.e., easy access) will ensure employees wear their hearing-protecting equipment and wear it consistently.

Because people have different preferences, it helps to offer a variety of equipment options for them to choose from. That way, they can select the best choice (for them), increasing their chances of compliance and reducing their chances of hearing damage and other harmful effects associated with noise exposure.

Prioritize Noise Mitigation for a Safer and Healthier Work Environment

Noise mitigation must be a priority for employers managing workers in the industrial heating and cooling industry.

Long-term exposure to heating and cooling equipment (and the noise pollution this equipment creates) can cause, or worsen, health problems and interfere with employees’ quality of life, as well as their ability to be productive on the job.