The hazard
Noise damage usually builds up slowly and does not hurt, so it is easy to miss until the damage is done. Hearing lost to noise does not come back, and hearing aids cannot make it like new. Noise can also leave you with ringing in your ears that never goes away. The good news is that this kind of hearing loss can be prevented.
The action
When sound levels go over the limits in OSHA's noise tables, feasible engineering or administrative controls must be used first. If they do not bring the sound down far enough, hearing protection must be provided and used (29 CFR 1926.52(b) in construction, 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1) in general industry). That can mean a quieter tool, a muffler, moving the generator farther away or less time near the noise. (29 CFR 1926.52(b))
ASK THE CREW
Which hearing protection do you like best, and what makes people take it off?
From the talk: Noise and hearing protection. Read it in full, free, with the questions and the sign-in sheet.