Machines damage hearing of Lancashire Man
Hearing damage claim
20/12/07
A 40 year old Lancashire man has received £5,000 in damages after he lost his hearing because of the machines at the sock manufacturer where he worked.
Mr Mark Bulcock, from Bacup was exposed to a high pitched noise at the Lancashire Sock Manufacturing Company were he worked between 1992 and 1997 whilst heating foam to bind material for ironing board covers.
The machines meant that Mr Bulcock was exposed to the noise, measuring up to 106.2 decibels, for several minutes as often as 40 times a day prompting him to seek legal advice from law firm Irwin Mitchell.
Hearing damage compensation
Health and safety regulations governing the time Mr Bulcock worked at the company state that employees should be provided with protective ear wear when exposed to noise over 85 decibels.
Lee Carnall from law firm Irwin Mitchell represented Mr Bulcock. He said: “This claim shows that you do not have to be exposed to a constant level of noise to suffer a noise induced hearing loss.
“Employers should be taking steps to measure the sound levels and ensure that no employee is being exposed to noise above the levels set down by statute.
Lancashire Sock Manufacturing Company agreed to pay damages to Mr Bulcock prior to trial without the firm admitting liability.