Help stop costly claims for noise and vibration damage
Pulsar Instruments, a world recognised manufacturer and supplier of noise measurement equipment for Noise at Work, is pleased to announce its new noise and vibration consultants services in the UK. Working in partnership with qualified specialists, Pulsar Instruments is now able to offer various levels of consultancy services from initial assessment services through to comprehensive reporting including noise mapping.
“In the current claims culture we live in, Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), continue to be extremely important workplace issues with regard to the health, safety and wellbeing of employees,” says Sarah Brack, Managing Director for Pulsar Instruments.
According to the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there were over 90 new claims for work-related deafness in the UK in 2016 and 695 new claims for disability conditions related to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome. “In addition to these disabling physical symptoms, we are also starting to see that chronic exposure to excessive noise at work also affects people’s mental health. It can cause depression, anxiety, and feelings of workplace isolation; this can all lead to increased sickness and loss of productivity.” Sarah continues.
Our consultants carry out noise assessments for companies to help them identify and resolve any issues with workplace noise. Graham Ellicott, one of our highly experienced noise and vibration consultants explains “Our reports provide a programme of action that details precisely what constitutes “best practice” to meet all the requirements of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. We provide practical and cost-effective advice, designed to help business managers and health and safety professionals, carry out noise remediation and manage risks to their employees.”
In addition to noise at work assessments, our consultants work with companies providing best-practice guidance so that they can meet their responsibilities in protecting their employees under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. The effects of vibration can impact the human body in several ways: Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) and Whole Body Vibration can occur when workers are overexposed to vibration from power tools, machinery and vehicles. It can cause painful and permanent damage such as vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome. “The aim of our pragmatic approach to HAV risk management is to help reduce the costs and resources associated with meeting the regulatory and moral responsibilities by advising on exactly what is and isn’t required.” Says Gill Cussons, another of our expert noise and vibration consultants.
To find out more information about how Pulsar Instruments can help you, phone us on 01723 518 011, email us on [email protected] or contact us online
Find out more about our noise and vibration consultants services
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Notes:
We’ve been helping companies around the world meet their legal requirements for safeguarding their employees’ hearing for nearly 50 Years by providing affordable, robust, accurate and easy to use Noise Measurement equipment.
Our comprehensive range of Sound level meters, noise meters, personal noise dosimeters, noise-activated warning signs, safety professional kits and outdoor monitoring kits are designed with busy health and safety professionals in mind. Our Noise Measurement Equipment monitors noise levels accurately, identifies locations where there are noise at work problems and employees who may be affected; and they capture essential evidential data to avoid costly civil compensation claims for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
As well as selling and renting noise meters and other sound level meters, Pulsar Instruments works closely with several noise and vibration consultants, to provide comprehensive training to H&S professionals and to provide noise consultancy solutions.
Facts and figures
Noise at Work
- Many employees in Great Britain are exposed to noise levels at work that may be harmful.
- The HSE estimated the number of workers with work-related hearing problems was 20,000 (2016). This includes workers with new and longstanding hearing problems (Estimated using three years of the Labour Force Survey from 2014/15 to 2016/17). Source HSE.
- There were 90 New claims for work-related deafness in 2016 (These include new claims under the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Scheme. For occupational deafness, only cases assessed at 20% or more disablement are included).
- Each successful claim can cost an employer £6,000 (per employee).
- The industry groups with the highest average annual incidence rates of new cases qualifying for benefit (based on 2002-04 figures) were extraction energy and water supply, manufacturing and construction.
Source http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/deafness/index.htm
Vibration
- Hand arm vibration is largely made up of two conditions, Vibration White Finger and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- There were 455 new claims for Vibration White Finger in 2016
- There were 240 new claims for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in 2016
- HSE source of information on the number of people developing these conditions is obtained from the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) scheme.
- The HSE estimate that 2 million people are currently at risk of suffering from Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
Source http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/vibration/index.htm
