HSE’s most recent inspection campaign, including construction sites, identified significant failings in workplace hearing protection.
Key findings showed:
- 75% of employees lacked essential knowledge about storing, checking for damage or reporting faults with hearing protection.
- 63% had not received guidance on continuous wearing during noise exposure.
- 80% received no instruction on proper wearing techniques.
- 95% of employers failed to verify workers could still hear vital warning signals when wearing hearing protection.
We are promoting the CUFF checking system to help employers assess hearing protection effectiveness:
- Condition (equipment integrity).
- Use (proper deployment when needed).
- Fit the ear (correct wearing).
- Fit for purpose (appropriate specification).
For more information visit our website and read our: news article: “Serious gaps” found in protecting workers from excessive noise feature piece: Getting personal hearing protection right: what really matters.
Third phase of plant training standards launching in December
December 2025 will see the launch of phase three of CITB’s new plant training standards.
CITB and the Plant Sector Representative Organisation (PSRO) have been working together closely to standardise plant training across the construction industry. This has seen the introduction of short-course training standards for plant categories that reflect the increased requirements and responsibilities for plant operators.
Following updates to the phase one standards in December 2024, the second tranche of 19 standards were launched in June.
Once again, the standards are being developed in collaboration with industry working groups, consisting of employers, training providers and federations. The changes will ensure employers see a return on their investment by producing competent, work-ready plant operators, who have received training from experts.
Phase three standards will cover the following confirmed categories:
- Slinger Signaller.
- Slinger/Signaller: All Types, Static Duties.
- Slinger/Signaller: Excavator.
- Slinger/Signaller: Knuckle Boom, Static Duties.
- Earthworks.
- Wheeled Loading Shovel.
- Tracked Loading Shovel.
- Crawler Tractor Dozer.
- Forklift.
- Rough Terrain Masted Forklift.
- Reach Truck.
- Lifting Operations.
- Appointed Person.
- Lifting Supervisor.
Christopher Simpson, Head of Quality and Standards at CITB, said:
“These changes will help standardise and improve the quality and consistency of plant training; increase the amount of plant training that takes place before testing; and increase the number of people trained in plant operations, particularly new entrants to construction.”
Original Article: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/09/10/serious-gaps-found-in-protecting-workers-from-excessive-noise/
