Protecting Your Senses at Work

The first lines of defence for protection in any workplace environment are its health and safety procedures, which should outline the many risks posed as well as recommended ways to avoid them. But a personal awareness of your senses, and the roles that certain measures take in protecting them, can ensure your health and wellbeing throughout your career, whatever your career.

Hearing

Human hearing is incredibly sensitive and easy to take for granted both at work and in your day-to-day life. The danger posed by sounds above 120dB, such as an explosion or a jet engine at close proximity, is well-understood by many – but perhaps less understood are the long-term effects of long-term exposure to louder sounds. The human talking voice sits at around 70dB; prolonged exposure to sounds above that level can cause damage over time, starting with the slow loss of sensitivity to high frequencies.

Whether you regularly work near heavy machinery, work in the presence of loudspeakers or use percussive equipment such as a hammer, you should invest in good quality earplugs to protect your hearing. There are various kinds of earplugs available on the market, from simple foam earplugs that conform to your ear to silicone moulded earplugs with a higher definition.

Sight

Your eyes are the most sensitive organs on your face, both in terms of their function and their vulnerability. Sight is something that able-bodied people perhaps take for granted, and there are a number of workplace hazards that can pose a serious risk to it – as such, it is important to be mindful of these risks, and the ways in which you can protect what may be the most important sense to you.

If you work with tools and destructive equipment, your eyes are at risk of irritation from dust and debris – and in some cases, destructive processes can lead to projectile debris, which could cause far more serious damage. Eye-goggles should be worn at all times when handling tools, to keep your eyes protected from sawdust, metal filings and flying objects. There should be an eye-washing station close to hand, in order to wash out any foreign materials in the event of irritation. Eye-washing is also effective against irritation from chemical vapours produced by cleaning products.

Touch

Wearing gloves is a must when carrying out any form of activity with any potentially dangerous implement or material, including the simple lifting of heavy objects. Gloves provide additional grip, reducing the likelihood of slippage, droppage or friction-based injury. Some gloves are also cut-resistant, providing an extra layer of protection from sharp objects and tools. If you work in food, you’ll find yourself washing your hands frequently to prevent contamination – a habit which can cause the drying of your skin, and increased chance of injury. Moisturising hand creams can rehabilitate your skin after work, and keep it healthy in the long run.