Hearing Conservation – Landscaping Stats and Facts

FACTS

Key hazards related to hearing conservation in the landscaping industry.

Exposure to High Noise Levels

Landscaping workers are frequently exposed to high noise levels from equipment like lawnmowers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, and trimmers.

Lack of Hearing Protection

Many landscaping workers may not consistently use hearing protection.

Inadequate Training on Hearing Risks

Workers might not receive sufficient training on the importance of hearing conservation.

Cumulative Hearing Damage

Hearing loss in landscaping is often gradual, resulting from cumulative exposure to noise over time.

Interference with Communication

Excessive noise levels can interfere with communication among workers.

STATS

• It is estimated that more than 11 million Canadians aged 19 to 79 have worked in noisy environments where they needed to raise their voices to communicate.
• Approximately 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to damaging noise levels each year. In the landscaping sector, workers frequently use loud equipment such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, and leaf blowers.
• Hearing loss is one of the most common occupational injuries in the U.S. An estimated 30 million workers are exposed to excessive noise at work, with NIHL being a prevalent concern over the past 25 years.
• A study conducted by the University of Florida found that noise levels from common landscaping equipment like leaf blowers and chainsaws can reach 90-110 dB, well above the threshold for safe exposure.
• In Canada, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) highlights that workers exposed to noise levels above 85 dB without proper hearing protection are at a significant risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The landscaping industry is identified as one of the sectors with high-risk exposure.