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Any avid Formula 1 fan will be familiar with the sight of trackside stewards, mechanics and media personnel wearing ear defenders. Indeed, it is the responsibility of employers to provide them; failure to do so may result in occupational hearing loss and consequent deafness claims.
The list of drivers and F1 team workers who have developed some form of occupational deafness is very long and includes some of the most illustrious names in the sport's exalted past. Fortunately, things are different today and, just as with those in all other professions, F1 workers in the UK, from Jenson Button to Lewis Hamilton, are protected by the Noise at Work Regulations.
Perhaps the most high profile F1 personality to suffer industrial deafness as a result of trackside work is the commentator Murray Walker, OBE.
Over a broadcasting career spanning seven decades, Walker has commentated on some of motorsport's biggest events, meeting and working with some of its biggest and most successful personalities.
However, he's also spent much of his career being exposed to engine noises of around 120 decibels. Murray admits that wishing to appear tough and macho prevented him from wearing ear defenders, even when he knew it would be a good idea, and now fronts the David Ormerode Hearing Clearer Campaign.
"The voice of motoring" comments, "Everyone is aware of health and safety now but in my time no-one bothered. I was often in the pit-lane, near the cars, where the noise was indescribable and I've no doubt that is why my hearing was affected. But if I'd turned up wearing protectors I would have been considered a wimp. Anyway, I loved the noise."
As such, he is now aware of the hearing hazards facing those associated with the sport and understands the value of a deafness claim. "I do regret I didn't look after my own ears. I was recently at a race where there was a young mechanic bent down by the engine," he said.
Adding, "The noise was terrible. I shouted, For God's sake, put in some ear-plugs'. He looked at me and shrugged.
"I've learnt from the error of my ways and always wear ear-plugs now.
"Hearing deteriorates as people get older but mine is abnormally bad. The digital hearing aids have made everything sharper and clearer now."
Claim compensation for occupational hearing loss
It was in 1963 when the government verified the link between excessive workplace noise and worker deafness.
Since then, there has been a steady move towards ensuring affected workers are able to claim 100 percent compensation for their deafness, culminating in the Control of Noise at Work Regulations of 2005.
If you believe, whether through insufficient training, a failure to provide you with protective equipment or some other form of negligence, your employer has caused you to develop noise-induced hearing loss, it may be possible for you to claim compensation.
Here at YouClaim our advisors can help you establish whether it might be in your interests to proceed, then, should you wish, connect you with one of our leading personal injury solicitors.
Win or lose, our service is available at absolutely no financial risk; this means that, as a claimant, you will never incur any costs, fees or disbursements.
To find out more about how we might be able to help you, consult a legal advisor in confidence and without obligation, by echatting, filling out an online claim form or call us, on 0800 10 757 95.
