Hearing loss is a big problem—particularly for US employers.

Did you know that hearing loss is the second most reported occupational illness in the country? (Only musculoskeletal disorders are reported more frequently.)

Of course, we all know that some workplaces are noisier than others. A factory, a construction site, a night club—those are all work sites that we would expect to be noisy. And they are: they rank on the list of the top 10 noisiest workplaces.

But you know what else is on that same list? Nursery schools—and classical orchestras.

In fact, about 30 million American workers are exposed to hazardous noise on the job, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

But here’s something else you may not know: 9 million more Americans are at risk for hearing loss from some unexpected sources, including metals and solvents.

Do you know if your works are at risk for occupational hearing loss? Consider these questions:

• Do workers feel noise levels are comfortable?
• Does your workplace have a program in place for noise reduction?
• Do workers know when and where hearing protection is necessary?
• Do workers have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) when needed?
• Have workers undergone training for proper use of PPE?

Good hearing is important for workers to complete their work successfully—and to help maintain workplace safety. What can you do to help protect your workers’ hearing?

For more than 25 years, Beall Financial and Insurance Services, Inc., has been helping corporations and individuals protect their most important assets. The agency’s client base covers a spectrum of niche businesses, such as craft breweries, that require specialized insurance packages and knowledge. With California offices in Redlands and Newport Beach, Beall Financial and Insurance Services serves clients nationwide.