An estimated 328,000 construction workers live with hearing impairments or tinnitus, prompting a new industry-backed training programme aimed at improving site safety and inclusion.
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is backing the initiative alongside Bovis, charity RNID, Unseen Aware, Safety in Design and Heathrow, which are collaborating to create what they describe as the first construction-specific deaf awareness and hearing loss training programme. The project is funded through CITB’s Industry Impact Fund.
Teri Devine, associate director of inclusion and employment at RNID, said: “We are delighted to see the construction industry taking proactive steps to increase awareness of hearing loss. Eighteen million people in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, so building understanding of these issues is vital in the workplace.
“Not only do initiatives like this help facilitate safer environments, but greater awareness can support early intervention and foster more inclusive places of work, so everyone has the opportunity to succeed in their career.”
According to the CITB, three in four construction workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels, making hearing loss one of the sector’s most significant health, safety and inclusion challenges. Untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of workplace accidents, affect communication, reduce productivity and create barriers to inclusion on site.
The pilot will train at least 500 people across a group of contractors including Bovis, Sir Robert McAlpine, Graham Builders, Kier, Wates, Ferrovial Construction Holdings Limited, Volker FitzPatrick, Mace and Costain Group. Each has committed to deliver the training at site level and through its supply chain to reach both supervisors and site workers.
The programme comprises eight free specialist modules for individuals, managers, employers and construction organisations, combining interactive e-learning with subtitled and BSL-supported videos provided by ITV, alongside knowledge checks.
Participants will be trained to:
- Understand the different types and causes of hearing loss and their impact in construction environments
- Recognise the everyday challenges faced by deaf and hard of hearing colleagues
- Apply practical communication techniques to improve safety, collaboration and productivity
- Create psychologically safe workplaces
- Improve recruitment, onboarding and retention practices to attract and support deaf talent
Important initiative
Vanessa Freeman, head of grant and funding products at CITB, said: “We’re really pleased to be supporting such an important initiative for the industry.
“Research suggests that around 26% of the manual construction workforce experiences some form of hearing-related condition. We need to ensure deaf awareness training becomes more widely available so that those struggling with hearing impairments in construction feel safe and supported at work, and those around them can recognise the challenges they face.
“The construction industry needs to recruit 41,200 extra workers each year for the next five years to meet demand, and training such as this will help to remove barriers to entry for those who may have previously felt they would not be able to work in construction.”
Mark Ainsworth, executive director of operations at Bovis, said: “Too many people across our sector are living with hearing loss, tinnitus or other hearing-related conditions. By supporting this training initiative, we are helping to raise awareness of the risks associated with excessive noise exposure and equipping people with the knowledge needed to better protect themselves and their colleagues.
“But this is about more than prevention. It is also about encouraging our industry to adapt workplaces and behaviours to better support those affected by hearing loss, creating a more inclusive and psychologically safe environment for people already working in construction and for those considering a career in the sector. Bovis is proud to support this important programme and the positive difference it can make across our industry.”
The training is currently under development, with the pilot due to launch next year, available free of charge via CITB.
Image credit: 89stocker – Shutterstock
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