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You are in: Home Page | News Desk | News Story

12th February 2009

Call for clamp down on Dangerous Noise Levels as Deafened Worker wins Compensation

Noisy Tools such as jackhammers and compressors

The UK’s largest public sector union helped Mr Y, 52, win a substantial amount in damages when he lost his hearing while working with a number of noisy tools, including jackhammers and compressors.

And the union is urging employers to quieten down and listen to the facts when it comes to protection against high noise levels, or put thousands more workers at risk.

Adequate hearing protection not provided

Mr Y had not been provided with adequate hearing protection for his job until the mid 1980’s, although he started working on the highways for Chesterfield Borough Council in the 1960s.

The Whittington Moore resident received compensation for his occupational deafness from Derbyshire County Council in an out of court settlement, after UNISON drafted in Thompsons Solicitors.

The council admitted liability, having taken over the Highways department in the later years of Mr Y’s employment and becoming responsible for any liabilities from the previous authority’s past.

No ear defenders or protection

Mr Y said:

“I have worked on the highways for more than 30 years. During the early days we were not provided with ear defenders or protection.

“I first realised I had a problem with my hearing when my wife mentioned it to me. The GP said there was no doubt my deafness was caused by my work.

“We were never warned that we might become deaf as a result of our work and, when UNISON suggested that I take action I decided I would, as I felt cheated of my proper hearing.

“The council knew about the risks and could have done something about it.”

Lasting disability

Hope Daley, UNISON’s National Health and Safety officer, said:

“We welcome Mr Y’s compensation, as once a worker loses their hearing it’s gone forever.

“This lasting disability has a major effect on their lives, as they try to adapt to work, family, and a social life without hearing and have to develop new ways of communicating.

“More than 1million employees in Great Britain are exposed to noise that puts their hearing at risk and, in 2007/08, an estimated 21 000 individuals were suffering hearing problems, which they believed to be work-related.

“Employers have a legal duty to prevent this from happening. Damage to hearing from exposure to loud noise at work is preventable and the risks can be controlled by the good management of health and safety.”

Workers should be protected from excessive noise levels

Shelley Artingstall, from Thompsons Solicitors, added:

“Personal hearing protection must be provided to all employees who are being exposed to excessive noise, where it is safe to do so.

“It is a common injury for those working on the highways, but it is an injury which has lasting effects.

“Employers have a duty of care to ensure their employees are safeguarded against all dangers at work, including excessive noise levels.”

Compensation Claim Advice

If you or someone you know has developed occupational deafness or any other industrial illness, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim, including claims for occupational deafness. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.

Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim for occupational deafness in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your industrial deafness, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.