The Costain-Skanska joint venture (CSjv) has mandated active hearing protection with integrated noise monitoring across all its HS2 sites from 1 September.

The move came after CSjv trialled smart ear defenders from
technology firm Eave as part of the HS2 Innovation programme.

The trial began in 2019, when Eave and CSjv won Innovate UK
funding from the Department of Transport to test their hearing conservation
solution with HS2.

Eave’s active ear defenders use ‘hear-through’ technology,
that, unlike passive protection, allow the wearer to continue to hear
environmental sound, improving the safety of workers. These smart headsets also
monitor and map noise exposure, analysing the data in real time to provide information
about each worker’s noise exposure across a site.

Now CSjv subcontractors have been invited to join a webinar
on 28 July to find out more about the mandate and how to implement active
hearing protection with integrated noise monitoring on site.

CSjv occupational health lead Sandra Winters said: “CSjv
aims to support HS2’s mission to eliminate the causes of the top five
occupational diseases in construction. Our trial with Eave gave measurable
results that radically improved our hearing protection measures on site. We are
now implementing this change across all our HS2 sites to ensure a greater level
of safety for our operatives. We are immensely proud to bring new innovation to
the industry, spearheading major change in health and safety PPE.”

Dr. David Greenberg, Eave CEO, said: “It has been a great
pleasure to work with CSjv, Innovate UK and HS2 to showcase how innovative
smart tech solutions can do so much more than conventional hearing protection
to manage noise on site. Their support has been fundamental in the development
of our products, testing our active ear defenders and noise monitoring equipment.
We are now working with all CSjv subcontractors to ensure they are ready for
the 1 September deadline, working together to protect the hearing of workers in
hazardous noise.”