Year of the Ear initiative commended

Deafness Research , the national charity for medical research into hearing impairment, has cited the ConocoPhillips Year of the Ear program as an inspiring example of UK corporate social responsibility. 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 ways of maintaining good hearing.

Dr Grant Logan, regional occupational health manager for ConocoPhillips, headed the Year of the Ear program which reached both onshore and offshore sites. As well as producing a selection of materials from which each site could tailor a specific program, ConocoPhillips partnered with Deafness Research UK, providing funding to enable the charity's Bionic Ear Show to visit all sites. To ensure offshore staff didn't miss out the company sponsored the show's presenter, Tobin May, in offshore survival training.

During the show, Tobin builds a 22ft working ear and uses illustrations and audiovisual techniques to teach people how to look after their hearing.

"ConocoPhillips already adhered to noise regulations but it clearly wished to do more. Through the program, the company has provided an excellent example to the industrial sector of a health program which has achieved great buy in and had a real impact on staff," said Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research.