The man worked in a warehouse for eight years between 2001 and 2009. The warehouse had 17 loading bays. It was a noisy environment with pump trucks, wagons, auto-pickers and dock levellers often being operated simultaneously.
During his time at the warehouse, the man sustained permanent bilateral hearing loss of 11.4dB and mild tinnitus as a result of the noise.
It became compulsory for employees to wear protective earplugs in 2007, six years after he had joined the company. He always wore his earplugs after 2007 but too much damage had already been done.
He found it difficult to have conversations as he would often miss parts of what
people were saying. He couldn’t watch TV unless the volume was very high.
He brought an action against his employers, saying they had been neglig
ent in failing to provide him with protection from the excessive levels of noise.
He was awarded £8,000 in an out-of-court settlement.
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