When we talk about health and safety in construction, we often think of high-vis vests, hard hats, and avoiding slips, trips, and falls. But what about noise? It’s been around for so long in our industry that many of us have simply stopped paying attention. In this episode of Build & Thrive, host Jennie Armstrong is joined by Clare Forshaw, Director of the UK Hearing Conservation Association, to shine a spotlight on this under-prioritised health risk. Drawing on decades of experience in occupational health, Clare brings deep insight into how noise exposure continues to impact construction workers, and why we need to start treating it as the serious risk it is.
This blog summarises key insights from their discussion. If you enjoy this article and want to hear more, the full conversation is available as a podcast and video.
Clare Forshaw: A Career Spanning Health Leadership
Clare’s career began at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), where she worked in roles focusing on health surveillance, policy, and occupational hygiene. She later transitioned into sector-specific work, notably within construction, and is now applying her knowledge to the rail industry through the Rail Safety Standards Board. Clare also leads the UK Hearing Conservation Association (UKHCA), a multidisciplinary initiative aimed at raising awareness and promoting best practices in hearing conservation.
Clare’s work was profoundly influenced by the Leslie Rushton Occupational Cancer Burden Report, which found that construction was responsible for over 40% of occupational cancers in the UK. That was a turning point for the industry, she explains, where it began to acknowledge its health burden and look at how to reduce risks like noise exposure more seriously.
Why Noise Still Flies Under the Radar
Despite its well-documented risks, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is still often treated as a tick-box exercise. As Clare put it:
“Noise seemed to be the poorest relation of health issues. We were elevating respiratory risks, musculoskeletal problems, and mental health, but noise was still in the background.”
Clare explains that part of the problem is that noise has been around as a recognised risk for so long that it’s become normalised. Many employers believe they are managing it simply because they conduct noise assessments or provide hearing protection. But the numbers tell a different story. NIHL remains one of the most commonly successful claims under industrial injuries benefit in the UK.
Moreover, a recent HSE inspection programme found that very few employers consider audibility when assessing hearing protection. In other words, workers are often given PPE that makes it harder for them to hear warnings or communicate, potentially increasing the risk of accidents.
The Dementia Link: A Wake-Up Call
One of the most compelling parts of this episode is the emerging research linking hearing loss to cognitive decline and early-onset dementia. According to Clare:
“Even with mild hearing loss, you’re twice as likely to suffer from early onset of dementia in later life. Hearing loss has been deemed the biggest modifiable risk factor.”
This insight should change the way employers view noise exposure. It’s not just about avoiding compensation claims or meeting legal requirements. It’s about protecting long-term brain health.
Clare likens the experience of untreated hearing loss to the stereotype of the “grumpy granddad” who isolates himself due to embarrassment or frustration. The social and mental impacts of hearing loss extend far beyond the workplace.
Younger Workers at Greater Risk
Clare also raises a point that’s rarely discussed: younger workers entering construction may already have hearing damage. With headphones and earbuds playing music at 95-100 decibels, many young people are reaching their entire daily noise dose within 15-20 minutes.
Offcom research shows adults in the UK are consuming five hours of audible content per day. Combine that with noisy worksites, and you have a perfect storm. This makes it even more important that workplaces have robust noise control measures in place.
Is the Industry Wasting Money?
One of Clare’s strongest arguments is that many companies are spending money inefficiently. She challenges organisations to think critically:
“Are you spending money quantifying a problem you already know exists, instead of solving it?”
She argues that many companies spend too much on repeated noise assessments and hearing protection that isn’t properly fitted or consistently used. Instead, that money could be better spent on eliminating noise at its source or redesigning processes to minimise exposure.
The Role of Principal Contractors and Planning
Jennie and Clare also discuss the unique challenges of dynamic construction environments, where multiple contractors may be working in close proximity. Clare stresses that principal contractors have a vital role to play in planning work so that noise-intensive tasks don’t expose workers unnecessarily:
“You often see people standing right next to a ridiculously noisy activity, just waiting to do their job. If they don’t need to be there, why are they being exposed?”
The CDM regulations already provide a framework for this kind of coordination, but it requires strong leadership and buy-in across the supply chain.
The Call for Cultural Change
Changing perceptions about noise risk also requires a cultural shift. Workers are generally empowered to stop unsafe work if they see a physical hazard, but few would feel comfortable stopping work due to high noise levels. Clare and Jennie agree that building a culture where noise is taken seriously will take time, training, and visible leadership.
What Employers Can Do Today
Clare offers several practical steps for organisations who want to make a difference without necessarily spending more:
- Focus on the source – Spend more time identifying noisy tools and processes and explore quieter alternatives.
- Avoid relying solely on PPE – Hearing protection should be a last resort and must be properly selected and fitted.
- Improve planning – Coordinate noisy activities and keep non-essential personnel away from high-risk areas.
- Monitor exposure contextually – Don’t just measure noise in isolation. Consider what’s happening around workers.
- Educate and engage – Use real stories, toolbox talks, and open dialogue to make noise a topic people care about.
The Future of Hearing Conservation
As Director of the UK Hearing Conservation Association, Clare is passionate about driving innovation. Her organisation is currently developing new training materials and promoting hearing protection management programmes that include fit testing – much like the respiratory protection standards many are now familiar with.
“We need to raise the profile of hearing conservation in the same way we’ve done for respiratory and mental health. That includes proper training, monitoring, and making it part of site leadership.”
Noise might not be new, but it’s far from a solved problem. As Clare Forshaw so powerfully highlights in this episode, it’s time for construction to treat noise with the seriousness it deserves. From its links to accidents and dementia to its role in social isolation, the impact of untreated hearing loss is profound.
If you’re an employer, site manager, or health and safety professional, we encourage you to take a fresh look at your approach to noise. And if you’re ready for deeper insight, tune into the full podcast and video episode of Build & Thrive featuring Clare Forshaw.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or watch the full episode on YouTube.
🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)
📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B
The more we talk about it, the closer we get to real change. Let’s make mental health a priority in construction.
Join the Conversation!
Do you have experiences or thoughts on mental health in construction? Drop a comment below or share this post to help break the stigma.
Together, we can build a stronger, safer, and healthier construction industry.
And finally, a huge thank you to GKR Scaffolding for sponsoring the first series of the Build & Thrive podcast, we highly appreciate your support!
At Construction Health & Wellbeing, we’re here to help businesses like yours prioritise health and wellbeing. Contact us today to learn how we can support your journey.
Learn more about the people and businesses mentioned in this blog:
Jennie Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniearmstrong/
Construction Health & Wellbeing: https://constructionhealth.co.uk/
Clare Forshaw: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-forshaw-7351564a/
UK Hearing Conservation Association:
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/uk-hearing-conservation-association/
- https://hearingconservation.org.uk/
Some free resources from the UK Hearing Conservation Association:
- https://hearingconservation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SR-4681-Construction-Noise-Hierarchy_v3.pdf
- https://hearingconservation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CHECK-IT-OUT-Poster.pdf
GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/
