Noisier, more mechanised farming practices are taking their toll on a generation of farmers, according to research conducted by the Farm Safety Association. The association revealed that 70 per cent of farmers have below average hearing for their age. image expired

It said prolonged exposure to agricultural machinery was primarily to blame for the hearing loss, although the study also revealed old tractors, grinders, power tools and even some animals can emit sound levels far above the safety limit of 85 decibels (dB).

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) advises the noise limit for daily exposure should not exceed 87dB, with a peak of 140dB. However, pigs in an enclosed area can create noise levels of up to 100dB and older cabs and tractors with roll bars often create noise levels as high as 85 dB.

Ben Coates, assistant regulatory affairs adviser to the NFU said, "Farming is a noisy industry, but modern tractors are legally required to comply to specific noise limits inside the cab and have vastly improved over the last decade. Some now have noise levels as low as 72dB."

As part of Rural Health Week (September 18-24), which aims to improve health and welfare in rural areas, farmers are being advised to be aware of noise levels which could damage hearing and, if necessary wear hearing protection.

Mr Coates explained the action farmers should take to ensure their own welfare and that of their workers' is taken into account, "It is every farmer's responsibility to ensure their workers are not exposed to excessive noise levels. Employers must assess the risks to the employees’ hearing and, if necessary, provide them with hearing protection if the noise exposure cannot be reduced enough using other methods."