January 25, 2008
According to a recent report, noise-induced hearing loss in the farming sector in New Zealand is the fastest-growing cost for the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
One in four claims from the agricultural sector is for noise-induced hearing loss.
In recent years, the increase has been dramatic. 614 such claims were made in the 2004-2005 fiscal year. In 2005-2006 the number of claims increased to 772 claims. A significant jump occurred, however, the number of claims reached 662 in only the first six months of 2007.
"We have to reduce noise where we can and mitigate where we can – and harp on and on until people take notice," says Charlie Pedersen, president of Federated Farmers to the www.stuff.co.nz.
Source: www.stuff.co.nz
