Guest: Clare Forshaw: Professional Head of Health & Wellbeing RSSB. Founder & Director at UK Hearing Conservation Association. Board Member British Occupational Hygiene Society

In this powerful and insightful episode of Build & Thrive, host Jenny Armstrong is joined by Clare Forshaw - respected occupational health expert and director of the UK Hearing Conservation Association - for a candid conversation on one of construction’s oldest and most underestimated health risks: noise.

With decades of experience, including her time at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Clare shares why noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) remains the most commonly claimed industrial injury in the UK and why current approaches to noise risk are failing the workforce. From inadequate hearing protection to the risks of long-term cognitive decline and dementia, Clare makes a compelling case for urgent culture change.

They discuss:
🔹 Why hearing loss is more than a minor inconvenience
🔹 How cognitive health, dementia, and isolation link to NIHL
🔹 What’s wrong with our current "tick-box" approach to noise management
🔹 Why younger generations may be arriving on site with existing hearing damage
🔹 What organisations can do - even on a budget - to reduce risk and improve outcomes
🔹 The vital role of leadership, planning and principal contractors in reducing exposure

Clare also explains how the UK Hearing Conservation Association is driving innovation, offering best practice resources, and helping employers rethink their responsibilities when it comes to protecting hearing in the workplace.

If you work in construction, rail, or any noisy sector - this is a must-listen. And if you’re a leader wondering where noise risk fits into your wider wellbeing strategy, Clare will give you both the motivation and practical ideas to get started.

🎧 Also available as a podcast and video – if you enjoy the blog or episode summary, be sure to check out the full conversation for even more insight.

🎧 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2431164 (or search your podcast app)

📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEoibJLDuFnnT3qSQw37LKPG6xlyvCj7B

🔹 Thank you to our sponsor, GKR Scaffolding, for supporting this series and helping us share our mission of improving health and wellbeing in construction.

Episode Links:

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/

GKR Scaffolding (sponsor): https://gkrscaffolding.co.uk/

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