Abu Dhabi General Services Company, Musanada, has launched the Life Needs Sound campaign in order to effectively reduce and prevent cases of occupational noise related illness in the workplace, as part of its efforts to enforce all local and federal laws related to the environment and occupational health and safety, including the requirements of the Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health System put in place by Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health Centre, OSHAD.
The campaign, to reduce the levels of noise at the workplace, safeguard from exposure to excessive noise and minimise the risk of hearing loss, was launched across all Musanada Construction Projects and HQ building, in conjunction with that of OSHAD, which was launched on January 25th 2017.
The Life Needs Sound Campaign offers free awareness and educational materials to assist in implementing control measures in workplaces where employees and visitors are exposed to different noise levels.
The aim is to raise awareness regarding occupational noise and its effects, and to help business owners and occupational health and safety officers to implement the requirements of the OSHAD System Framework, specifically the Code of Practice, concerning Occupational Noise.
Awatef Al Hossani, Oshad’s Corporate Support Director, said, “Cooperation extended by government entities and companies such as the Abu Dhabi General Services Company during the programme helped us reach out to a large number of employees and workers. Oshad is looking forward to more cooperation from all government and private entities operating in Abu Dhabi to spread awareness using induction materials carefully developed in six languages, which deliver simple and targeted messages to staff members including workers, supervisors and occupational safety and health specialists, leading to reduced risk for the workers exposed to high levels of noise.”
“Many sites have workplaces where excessive noise could be a risk to workers or the public. Even some chemicals and substances used in the workplace, known as ototoxic, can contribute to hearing damage when combined with excessive noise,” said Mohamed Omar Al Hashmi, Musanada’s Acting HSE Department Director.
“In workplaces where there is a high risk of noise exposure, employers must put in place a continuous, effective hearing conservation programme, particularly in high risk areas where noise exposure levels are equal to or exceed 85dB(A). No employee, contractor or other person should be exposed to any continuous, intermittent or impact noise at or in excess of 100dB(A) without hearing protection,” he added.
Al Hashmi said that people could face other problems such as tinnitus, a ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears, a distressing condition that could lead to disturbed sleep.
“Noise at work could interfere with communication and make warnings harder to hear. It can also reduce people’s awareness of their surroundings. These issues can lead to safety risks, putting people at risk of injury or death. Noise exposure can often be reduced by making simple changes that can lower the risk of damage to the hearing of workers, contractors and visitors. Everybody should know that it is important to take all necessary measures to protect from noise risks and maintain safety,” he concluded.
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