Hearing loss is preventable! It's important to educate yourself and your employees on hearing protection.
A few tips:
Know your noise levels: if you need to raise your voice to communicate with someone less than 3 feet away, noise levels are likely over 85 decibels. In this type of environment, hearing precautions need to be taken into consideration. OSHA requires employers to administer a "continuing, effective hearing conservation program" whenever employee noise exposures "equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels." Pro tip: You can download the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Sound Level Meter App to measure the loudness of your work environment.
Implement inexpensive, effective engineering controls to reduce noise levels. OSHA recommends employers to:
Choose low-noise tools and machinery (e.g., Buy Quiet Roadmap (NASA)).
Maintain and lubricate machinery and equipment (e.g., oil bearings).
Place a barrier between the noise source and employee (e.g., sound walls or curtains).
Enclose or isolate the noise source.
Implement administrative controls such as:
Operating noisy machines during times when the fewest amount of people are around.
Limit the amount of time employees spend near a noise source.
Offer "quiet zones" where workers can receive a break from noise exposure
Check out OSHA's hearing protection standards here to ensure you are compliant.