TIP OF THE WEEK

August 13, 2010

Did you know...?

Workers’ Comp claims for hearing loss can be curbed with screening and other controls in place

Noise is not a new hazard. It has been a constant threat since the industrial revolution. Too much noise exposure may cause a temporary change in hearing (your ears may feel stuffed up) or a temporary ringing in your ears (tinnitus). These short-term problems usually go away within a few minutes or hours after leaving the noise. However, repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent, incurable hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports approximately 30 million American employees are exposed to “excessive workplace noise,” which can result in safety issues as well as having a detrimental effect on individual workers. Employers are urged to take steps to reduce noise in their workplaces, and to screen current employees and new hires for preexisting hearing loss.

While the most notable physical effect of noise exposure is loss of hearing, there are other effects as well such as:

Increased blood pressure.
Negative cardiovascular effects, such as changing the way the heart beats.
Increased breathing rates.
Disturbed digestion such as an upset stomach or ulcer.
Can negatively affect a developing fetus, perhaps contributing to premature birth.
Makes it difficult to sleep, even after the noise stops.
Intensified effects of factors such as drugs, alcohol, aging and carbon monoxide.

Research is ongoing and continues to provide data suggesting the devastating effects of noise on health. Research is also on-going to determine if and what factors may contribute to one's susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss.

Recent studies indicate that close to 40 million baby boomers are experiencing some degree of hearing loss – twice as many as had been expected – and may be attributed to having attended rock concerts and engaging in other noisy recreational activities for nearly 50 years. Younger workers also may be at increasing risk for auditory problems, since “Gen Xers and Millennials…are constantly connected to their iPods and cell phones.”

Experts report industrial operations comprise much of the hearing loss claims, with workers being exposed to eight hours of the sounds of machines that could cause permanent hearing damage within a few months.

OSHA reports that employers need to be aware of regulations governing noise hazards and should monitor workplace conditions accordingly. Noise can also hamper performance of daily tasks, increase fatigue and cause irritability.

Besides causing communication difficulties among coworkers, hearing loss can affect personal relationships and create feelings of isolation. The “rule of thumb” on noise is that “if the environment requires somebody to ‘speak up’ in order to be heard, there is probably a need to conduct noise monitoring to ensure compliance with OSHA standards.”

Employers can help reduce occupational hearing loss and related workers compensation claims if they:

Conduct baseline audiogram hearing tests for new employees to detect preexisting hearing loss.
Implement annual hearing tests for employees exposed to noise exceeding the OSHA action levels.
Use annual employee hearing conservation training as an opportunity to educate employees about potential risks associated with “recreational noise.”
Evaluate noise control features carefully when purchasing new equipment.
Provide a variety of hearing protection devices and train employees on proper fit.

The best strategy for employers is to recognize the hazards of noise exposure and to protect employees from those dangers. To learn more about OSHA Standards regarding hearing conservation (29 CFR 1919.95) visit OSHA’s website at: http://www.osha.gov/.

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FLU SHOTS – We are already receiving inquiries about flu shots for this fall. OHS-COMPCARE will offer seasonal flu shots to clients again in 2010. To be put on the list to be scheduled for an on-site or to learn more please contact client services at 816-561-2105 (option 1) or by email at customerservice@ohscompcare.com.

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***We are now open Saturdays at our Independence location from 9am – 1pm to serve your occupational medicine and urgent care needs.

Our Independence location is open 5pm – 9pm Monday – Friday to serve your after hour needs as well***

*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*

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To learn more about services OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 option 1 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.

Why choose us? Because OHS-COMPCARE has a physician on call 24/7/365 days a year to respond to our client's needs.

Adult Quick Care is now on Facebook!

OHS-COMPCARE now featuring Adult Quick Care (Urgent Care Services) has seven (7) area clinical facilities:

Independence Clinical Facility	Johnson County Clinical Facility	St. Joseph Clinical Facility	Grandview Clinical Facility
19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200	10415 Lackman Road	904 Edmond Street	13830 S Us Highway 71
Independence, MO 64055	Lenexa, KS 66219	St. Joseph, MO 64501	Grandview, MO 64030
816-478-9299	913-495-9905	816-233-7702	816-761-4664
After Hours Available *Now open Saturday 9am – 1pm

KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility	KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility	Wyandotte County Clinical Facility
1650 Broadway	6501 East Commerce, Suite 110	1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200
Kansas City, MO 64108	Kansas City, MO 64120	Kansas City, KS 66102
816-842-2020	816-483-5550	913-596-2774

Adult Quick Care provides Urgent Care to Adults and Adolescents Age 14 and Older.

No appointment is necessary at Adult Quick Care.

When you are sick or have a new injury, Adult Quick Care is your affordable, time saving choice for quality care.

To learn more about Adult Quick Care please call 816-559-6320 or visit www.adultquickcare.com.