The show for companies
The show provides the perfect opportunity to educate your staff about their hearing and how to protect it.
Corporate giant goes the extra mile to care
Deafness Research UK's Bionic Ear Show has visited all ConocoPhillips onshore and offshore sites as part of their Year of the Ear programme: an inspiring example of UK corporate social responsibility.
Tobin May, Bionic Ear Show presenter, on the ConocoPhillips Viking Bravo platform in the South North Sea
During 2009, ConocoPhillips, the international integrated energy and refining giant, made global efforts to promote awareness of the dangers of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and the ways of maintaining good hearing.
Dr Grant Logan, Regional Occupational Health Manager for ConocoPhillips, headed the Year of the Ear programme which reached both onshore and offshore sites. As well as producing a selection of materials from which each site could tailor a specific programme, ConocoPhillips partnered with Deafness Research UK, providing funding to enable the charity’s Bionic Ear Show to visit all sites. The company went the extra mile to ensure their offshore staff would not miss out by sponsoring the show’s presenter, Tobin May, in his offshore survival training.
Dr Logan commented “We were keen for staff to receive important health messages in a lively and memorable way. During the show, Tobin builds a 22ft working ear and uses entertaining illustrations and audiovisual techniques to teach people how to look after their hearing.
“Our Year of the Ear has had great feedback and has been extremely successful. Tobin delivered 27 shows and made 5 separate offshore trips, visiting sites as far away as our Aberdeen office and our oil platforms in the South North Sea.”
Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, said ,”Loud noise can unfortunately cause both hearing loss and tinnitus. NIHL is a devastating condition, yet it is 100% preventable if individuals understand why and how they should protect their hearing.
“ConocoPhillips already adhered to noise regulations but it clearly wished to do more. Through their Year of the Ear program, ConocoPhillips has provided an excellent example to the industrial sector of a health programme which has achieved great buy in and had a real impact on staff. By bringing this programme to both its industrial sites and office locations, ConocoPhillips has demonstrated a recognition that all staff are at risk from loud noise in their lives, albeit at or outside of work.
“We are very excited about having had the opportunity to partner ConocoPhillips in this impressive venture and sincerely hope that other companies, particularly those in industry, will consider running a similar programme as it truly will benefit all employees.”
For all enquiries, contact Laura Ganpot: 020 7833 1733 or laura.ganpot@deafnessresearch.org.uk
