Health & Safety Myths – Concertgoers have to wear earplugs

The myth:

Concert goers have to wear earplugs ‘because of health and safety’

The truth:

• Can you imagine trying to tell a bunch of big hairy bikers that they can’t watch Slayer unless they put earplugs in?

This myth is false

• If people choose to go to gigs, that’s their choice- they’re aware it’ll be noisy and can- if they choose to- wear earplugs to prevent tinnitus, hyperacusis or loss of hearing.
• The laws regarding noise at work are targeted at workers, not customers hence why it’s called ‘noise at work’…
• Music is seen as a bit of a black sheep by the Noise at Work Regulations (2005) as it is noise created for entertainment, as opposed to most noise which is classed as unwanted, and often the product of manual labour.
• Bouncers and bar staff at concerts are frequently exposed to loud noise. Thus it may be company policy that the workers wear earplugs to prevent any damage caused to employees and to save their backs from the ‘compensation culture’- employees suing due to damage.
• Associations such as the Musician’s Union, Don’t Lose The Music and Hear The World are in place to warn people who ‘like to live loud’ of the risks associated with frequent exposure to loud music. However, although they advocate the use of earplugs (aimed mostly at band members and road crew who would suffer most, but also at fans), there is no movement to make this law.
• Many older musicians have suffered hearing loss from playing concerts, and advocate the use of ear protection for younger bands, hoping new musicians will learn from their mistakes.
• On a tangent, musicians who have lost hearing as a result of their career include Phil Collins, Rodger Daltrey (The Who), John Illsley (Dire Straits), Lemmy Kilminster (Motorhead) and Eric Clapton. Just a small handful of musicians who have suffered as a result of their professions. For more information, see: http://members.fortunecity.com/nrbq1/tinnitus.html

The myth is most likely a result of companies fearing being sued for any hearing problems gig-goers may suffer. It is possible that at a gig, earplugs were readily available or handed out in good will, and it got misconstrued by an uneducated fool as a legal health and safety requirement.