Local carpenter and artist Jessica Waterman is no stranger to using her eyes and ears everyday as part of her work.
Originally from Gander, a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) and a third year carpentry apprentice, Jessica creates intricate wood art and “wooden quilts”. Jessica also works in costume design and props on television productions being filmed in Newfoundland and Labrador. Her work brings her in daily contact with loud power tools and noise and she is a regular user of hearing protection.
When speaking about her motivation to use noise-reduction ear muffs in her workshop, or while working around noise, Jessica says.
“I want my ears to work….I want to be able to hear things. I am working with my senses every day and that’s the motivating factor. You want to retain your senses, right?”
She also uses her ear muffs as she prepares to work, to help her zone in and focus on the task at hand, without distraction.
Do You Want To Be Safe Around Noise?
When Jessica first started out she didn’t always wear hearing protection because she didn’t really know about the dangers of noise, and the people around her weren’t protecting themselves either. Now, she always protects her ears.
“I really feel like on the job site, (some) people are scared to look safe, which is absolutely ridiculous…I’m not going to a bar when I’m working. I’m in dirty old coveralls and I’m trying to operate machinery”.
Noise-induced hearing loss is a permanent condition that is 100% preventable. You can prevent hearing loss at home, at work and at play by wearing hearing protection in noise.
Every day noise is louder than you might think. Hearing protection should be used regularly in loud workplaces, around power tools, lawnmowers, snowblowers, when hunting or shooting a firearm, or when operating motorcycles and ATVs. It’s also important at concerts and large sporting events, or when participating in musical performances.
Want to become more noise aware? Learn about noise here
To learn more about Jessica Waterman’s work, visit www.jessicawaterman.com