As we have mentioned in the past, some jobs are more dangerous than others. Not all of the dangers that workers in the state of Pennsylvania face are the result of an accident of some sort. Some are the result of exposure to certain things over a period of time. One of the things that could be dangerous in large doses is loud noise. Recognizing this is an issue that some workers face, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has created recommendations that could help to minimize noise-induced hearing loss that occurs at work. 

The approach, which is based on the hierarchy of control, provides a series of alternatives to try to reduce damage to the hearing of workers. Listed from most to least effective, these include:

• Elimination of the hazard.
• Substitution of the hazard.
• The use of engineering controls to keep people away from the hazard.
• Administrative controls focused on changing the way employees go about their job.
• The use of personal protective equipment.

When an employer does not attempt to reduce the exposure workers have to loud noises in the workplace, it is possible that workers could experience hearing loss. Regardless of whether the hearing loss is temporary or permanent, it may be possible to secure workers' compensation benefits for the condition. As is the case with most of these claims, the key is to make sure your medical records support the contention. For help in this matter, many find it beneficial to work with a workers' compensation lawyer.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Controls for Noise Exposure," Accessed Oct. 29, 2014