Container & Shipping

More than 80-90% of international goods traded are carried by sea—intermodal container shipping and freight transportation has grown significantly across the world in recent years, resulting in the creation of more and larger ports—and more sources of noise pollution.

High-noise emissions put employees at risk both on-board ships—in engine rooms, control rooms, and around generators and cranes—and across shipping and container yards.  In both cases, employees can frequently be exposed to a time-weighted noise average of 85 dBA or more during a typical 8-hour workday. 

Employees working in a shipping or container yard are exposed to high noise when working around ships in transit or stationary ships, as well as offshore cargo handling, such as container handlers, reach stackers, straddle carriers, cranes, and auxiliary equipment. Even loudspeakers are regular and unpredictable noise sources in a shipping or container yard—potentially resulting in serious hearing loss for anyone nearby. 
However, because hearing loss is more gradual and not as noticeable as a slip, trip, or fall, it is less recognized than other injuries. Like many occupational injuries, work-related hearing loss is preventable when controls are implemented, proper protection is provided, and required standards are followed.

Multiple hazards exist for shipping-related workers on the job. Unfortunately, noise and hearing loss are not considered as being as critical as other more prevalent dangers. Because hearing loss is more gradual and not typically immediately noticeable, it is not as recognized as other injuries.

Hearing damage is preventable, but it cannot be undone. There is no surgery or cure for noise-induced hearing loss. Repeated exposure to high noise levels, such as working near off-loading and stacking equipment, straddle carriers, cranes, and moving vehicles, can lead to permanent hearing loss or tinnitus. 

The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires industry employers to provide hearing protection to their employees when noise exposure equals or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 dB(A) or more.

There are a variety of different activities within shipping and container yards that can create significant and harmful noise levels, particularly with long-term exposure. That is why providing workers with Sensear’s noise-canceling headsets is critical to mitigating the serious risk of hearing loss. 

Reducing high-noise levels to safer decibel dB(A) levels to protect workers is only part of the mission at Sensear to keep workers safe on the job. In addition to our industry-leading noise-reduction headsets, we also provide workers with 360° situational awareness of their environment.

Sensear’s range of Two-Way Radio and/or Bluetooth^® Headsets and Earplugs are powered by groundbreaking SENS^® (high noise communication) Technology that elevates speech and suppresses dangerous background noise so workers can hear speech and stay protected in high-noise environments. The result is increased job site safety with enhanced communications and vital 360° situational awareness.

Workers can have seamless conversations whether they are face-to-face, connected via short range, or on their two-way radio or Bluetooth-enabled devices, all while protecting their hearing using high-quality, noise-canceling headsets. Sensear headsets also provide protection and clear communications between operators inside cargo holds, within cranes, onshore, and throughout the port. 

Sensear offers a variety of headset solutions to provide the best protection for your workers’ communication and safety, including dual-protection headsets where exposures may exceed 95 dB(A). Sensear is the perfect solution to protect hearing for workers in engine rooms and high-noise environments.

With some of the best hearing protection solutions for shipping and container applications, Sensear is solving high-noise communication problems for many of the world’s leading port authorities and shipping companies.

To get the best solution for communication, speech enhancement, and noise suppression for ships and ports, schedule a free consultation today, and we’ll help you find the ideal hearing protection solution for your location.