Civil engineering contractor BAM Nuttall is trialling new construction site ear equipment that will protect ears and also block out background noise.
The Eave Work Bluetooth Ear Defenders are designed to protect hearing, while allowing clear communications in heavy industry environments such as construction and marine engineering.
The ear defenders adapt to their surroundings, separating speech from background noise.
Noise-induced hearing loss being one of the most prevalent occupational diseases, affecting 1.4 million workers in the EU and costing €1.4bn annually.
“We are always interested in innovative construction solutions and have been trialling the Eave Work Bluetooth Ear Defenders on one of our large London sites recently,” said Colin Evison, head of Innovation at BAM Nuttall.
“Following the pilot, the feedback so far has been very positive. The ear protectors cut down on loud background noise, while enhancing voice, allowing for easy communication without nullifying important audible safety signals such as alarms or sirens for example.”
The ear defenders have front and side facing beam forming microphones, combined with advanced audio algorithms, that make communications in noisy environments effortless. The headsets also integrate wirelessly into existing communications networks, allowing the pairing of smartphones or walkie talkies for easily heard conversations in a noisy environment.
Eave chief executive and founder David Greenberg said: “We have developed this technology over the last year and have been testing it in heavy industries where hearing loss could be an issue.
“I come from a medical device background, having worked with hearing aids as a clinical audiologist. Loss of hearing is caused by getting old or exposure to loud noise. The latter is 100% preventable which is why we developed the Eave Work Bluetooth Ear Defenders.”
“Our defenders enhance soft sounds, such as voice, while protecting against high intensity noise. It’s important, however, to make sure that there is still an appropriate level of background noise to ensure that operatives remain safe. Overprotection from noise can be a health and safety risk too.”
As well as protecting hearing and facilitating clear communications the ear defenders also record noise data which can be accessed online. When paired with Bluetooth beacons a sound map can be produced, highlighting the levels of noise across the site at different times of the day.
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Occupational safety and health device conforming to the best practices of construction industry of this type need to be supported for success, such a device must embody proper attitudes towards injury and illness prevention on the part of construction workers.
It also requires cooperation in all safety and health administrations, not only between workers, but also the entire industry.
Only through such a cooperative effort can a safety and health program, in the best interest of all, be established and preserved.
I am sure ear defenders objective is a safety and health that will reduce the number of ear injuries and illnesses to an absolute minimum, not merely in keeping with, but surpassing, the best experience of operations similar to construction ear-plugs. Kudos BAM Nuttal