Julia’s House launches 2023 fundraising challenges protection

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The invisible risk of hearing loss

Even though it was back in 2018, not everyone knows that the new PPE Regulations reclassified hearing protection, moving it up from category II to the complex class, category III. It now joins equipment designed to protect against serious risks such as falls from height, chainsaw cuts and contact with substances hazardous to health.

With Tinnitus Awareness week on 7 February, it’s a good time to remember why this change happened. We also need to remind ourselves of the invisible danger of sound and its effect on vital organs that we must protect from sounds that can cause life-changing, long-term damage.

Unlike dangers that cause immediate damage, noise often has a delayed impact on the user. Not only that, it’s also an invisible risk that sometimes doesn’t get the protection it needs to ensure people do not suffer from permanent hearing problems later down the line.

So, what do you need to consider when it comes to the invisible risk of hearing loss? And how loud is ‘too loud’ anyway? And when thinking about sound levels, do you know you also need to be aware of exposure times, and knowing how long sounds are safe for before they start doing damage?

The main rule is, for 85dB (decibels) and over, hearing protection should be provided. 85dB is the level at which noise becomes unsafe without the use of hearing protection. This rule does not relate to social noise however, which is where your own judgement comes into play about the risk.

For sounds under 85dB, there should be no need for hearing protection, although if you work in a noisy environment of up to 80dB, you should be trained and educated to understand the risks and hearing protection should be made available.

In partnership with the British Safety Industry Federation, Tower has produced a fact file entitled ‘Listen Today, Hear Tomorrow’ to highlight the importance of hearing protection and give tips on how to get the most from it. Contact me for a copy or visit our website www.wearetower.com

Mark Dowling, Divisional Managing Director 01202 305518 mark.dowling@towersupplies.com wearetower.com

It might be wet and grey outside, but setting yourself a new challenge for 2023 could be just what you need to shake off the winter blues.

Local children’s hospice charity, Julia’s House, is launching its 2023 events programme to boost people’s get up and go. Run, walk, trek or parachute –there’s something for everyone. This year is extra special for the charity too, as Julia’s House marks a 20-year milestone of providing a lifeline of care to local seriously ill children and their families.

There are a number of events to choose from, whether you want to take things at a slower pace or prefer to opt for a fast-moving challenge:

14 May: Great Wiltshire Walk (20 miles/20km routes)

10 June: Tandem Sky Dive Jump, Salisbury

7-8 October: Bournemouth Half Marathon

15 October: Bath Half Marathon

2-7 November: Swap your sunbed for an epic trek across the Sahara Desert Or plan

“We’d love to get as many people as possible involved in our 2023 events. It is a very special year for us and of course, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the amazing support of the local community over the last 20 years,” said Julia’s House events fundraiser, Chantelle Shave.

“We know it is a challenging time for us all, but the families we support need our help more than ever, so the money raised from our events this year will be so important in helping us to continue to provide our life-changing care.”

Brittany Ferries celebrates 50 years at sea

Brittany Ferries has celebrated fifty years since the day of its first voyage with a voyage from Roscoff in Brittany.

The company, which operates from Poole, Portsmouth and Plymouth, is bringing more than 120 representatives of twinning associations in Brittany to meet their counterparts in Cornwall, Devon and Wales for a reception and dinner on board flagship Pont-Aven in Plymouth.

“Today is all about celebrating what we have done for 50 years,” said Christophe Mathieu, Brittany Ferries CEO. “We want to reignite the entente cordiale among people who are closer to each other politically and culturally than they are to centres of power in Paris and London. We are proud to have served the regions of northwest France and southwest England, bringing people together for 50 years, and we look forward to continuing this beautiful adventure together.” www.brittany-ferries.co.uk