HSE say earplug myth is summer madness

E62:09 5 August 2009

The Heath and Safety Executive has moved to silence critics claiming audiences must wear earplugs when attending noisy concerts and music festivals.

The organisation is becoming increasingly concerned some commentators use the public's ignorance of health and safety legislation to write false stories which actually deflect from the serious issues HSE deal with daily.

There are laws to safeguard the health of employees working in environments where excessive noise can be problematic but any suggestion concert goers must plug their ears are wide of the mark.

Staff at nightclubs and concert venues are at more risk of suffering hearing damage because they regularly work in high levels of noise and HSE have guidelines to protect workers.

Employers are obliged to provide protection but this could be as simple as moving staff away from the noisiest areas, or providing suitable earplugs.

Former Dire Straits bass guitarist John Illsley spoke recently of his hearing loss after years of playing clubs and stadiums at ear-splitting levels.

The 60-year-old has lost 30 percent of his hearing in one ear and says performing with the band in a noisy environment was undoubtedly to blame.

The healthy top level of noise human ears can cope with is around 55 decibels but many employees and musicians in concert venues and clubs are regularly exposed to loud music of 85 decibels and above.

"Peter Lennon, head of HSE's Noise and Vibration Policy Unit, says often people writing inaccurate 'elf and safety' stories serve only to confuse people and detract from real issues such as John's story.

He said: "Excessive noise at work can be a real problem and can lead to serious hearing problems.

"However the idea HSE would demand people to wear earplugs when seeing their favourite band clearly is summer madness.

"Our overriding message is hearing loss is preventable, so it's important to protect people to help them enjoy long and successful careers.

"The laws are there to control real risks to workers - not to take the fun out of concerts as some writers would lead readers to believe."

Notes to editors

• The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement.
• HSE publish a Myth of the Month online for each calendar month with the intention of combating common misconceptions about the organisation.

For more information on HSE myths please visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/index.htm

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office