A new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection campaign has found serious failings in how workplaces manage hearing protection, raising concerns about the safety of employees in noisy environments.

One in four workplaces inspected had noise levels making mandatory hearing protection legally required. But despite this, inspections uncovered widespread shortcomings in both employee training and equipment management.

Key findings

  • Over 75% of workers in high-noise workplaces lacked basic knowledge on storing, checking, or reporting issues with hearing protection equipment.
  • 63% had not received guidance on how hearing protection must be worn continuously during exposure to harmful noise levels.
  • 80% received no training on how to wear equipment correctly – for example, ensuring earmuffs fit properly around hair, hats, or other PPE.
  • 95% of employers failed to check whether workers could still hear vital warning signals, such as fire alarms or reversing vehicle alerts, while wearing hearing protection.

Do you use the CUFF system?

To support improvement, HSE is promoting the CUFF checking system, a simple four-step check for hearing protection:

  • Condition – Is the equipment in good working order?
  • Use – Is it being used whenever required?
  • Fit the ear – Is it being worn properly?
  • Fit for purpose – Is the protection suitable for the workplace and task?

Specialist inspectors will also be delivering webinars and attending industry events to provide practical advice on how businesses can strengthen their hearing protection programmes and use the CUFF system.

See: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/09/10/serious-gaps-found-in-protecting-workers-from-excessive-noise/