Interested in learning more about hearing in the Shed environment? Visit our YouTube Channel to check out the webinar playback of our Toolbox Talk chat with Melissa Chandler from Soundfair.
In November 2021 the members of Bannockburn & District Men’s Shed (Victoria) were pleased to welcome our new member Charlie to the shed.
Quite soon it was apparent that Charlie was adept at woodwork, producing some quite intricate items. There was however, one matter of concern – Charlie has been deaf since birth and is non-verbal. Therefore he could not hear whether or not machines were operating.
We discussed the matter with various organisations, but were unable to gain any advice as to how to remedy the situation. So, after a discussion with Charlie (through his wife Valmai), we came up with the idea of installing indicator lights on the relevant machines in the workshop.
To this end, we obtained two quotes for the fitting of lights to 15 machines and accepted one for $1500.
A successful National Shed Development Programme grant enabled us to have the 15 machines fitted. Future machines will be fitted with lights in a similar fashion.