Iowa
State University Extension
Farmers
know they need special gear to protect themselves from pesticides.
But many overlook the need to protect their ears from loud
noises on the farm.
Every
time farm workers vaccinate livestock or are around the squeals
of baby pigs, their ears might as well be going to a rock
concert--the noise hazard is the same. Loud rock music has
a noise level of 115 decibels; pig squeals are rated 130 decibels.
Both sounds are well above the 85-decibel level at which industrial
employers are required by law to provide hearing protection
for workers.
Other
common farm noises (in decibels) include the following:
- tractors
(without acoustically insulated cabs), 85-95;
- garden
tractor, 92;
- fan
drying system, 99;
- chickens
(enclosed building), 105
- self-propelled
combine, 105, and
- chain
saw, 115.
The
effects of noise are well documented. Exposure to continuous
noise can result in hearing loss, cause fatigue and reduced
work output, and lead to miscommunication and accidents. In
general, people are encouraged to consider hearing protection
if they:
- work
in an area in which noise drowns out normal conversation;
- experience
ringing in the ears after being in a noisy area;
- are
bothered, nervous or anxious after being in a noisy area;
- think
speech (theirs or others) seems muffled after being in a
noisy area.
For
information about how to select the right kind of hearing
protection, contact the local extension office. A new SAFE
FARM publication, Lend an Ear to Hearing Protection, Pm-1518j,
also is available. Single copies of the publication are free.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This
news release was distributed by Iowa State University Extension
as part of the Safe Farm Program. Safe Farm promotes health
and safety in agriculture. It is funded by the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health, Iowa State University, and
a network of groups that serve Iowa farm workers and their families.
Distribution date: October 1993.
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