If you make a living in California working in, say, the construction or mining industries, you probably have some degree of knowledge about dangerous noise levels and how to protect yourself from workplace hearing loss. Regrettably, however, many American workers are failing to protect their ears on the job, and the consequences can prove severe. At the Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez, we are seeing more and more clients who need assistance after suffering workplace hearing loss, and we have helped many people seek recourse after suffering this and other work-related injuries.
According to USA Today, hearing loss is America’s most common work-related injury, with about 22 million Americans getting subjected to potentially hazardous levels of noise every time they show up for work. Employers, too, are footing the bill for hearing problems that arise because of the work environment, with America’s employers paying about $242 million every year in workers’ compensation costs related to hearing issues.
Just how severe your risk of suffering workplace hearing loss is depends on the industry in which you work. Studies show that you face the highest risk of work-related hearing loss if you work in the mining sector, the construction industry or in manufacturing, in that order. However, contrary to what you may think, you may actually face a higher risk of suffering hearing loss on the job if you work in an industry or environment where noise levels are moderate, rather than severe.
Why? When there is no question about whether noise levels are dangerous, workers are more likely to consistently don proper ear protection and otherwise take precautions to protect themselves. When the noise level risks are less apparent, however, workers are less likely to do so, which can enhance their chances of developing hearing problems. More about work-related injuries is available on our web page.
