Page 16 - FT EAR PROTECTION

PROTECT YOUR HEARING AT WORK!

The surest method of preventing occupational deafness is to reduce noise at the source by engineering
methods. However, in certain workplace conditions, there is very little or nothing one can do to reduce
noise at the source. In such workplaces, workers wear hearing protectors to reduce the amount of noise
reaching the ears.

People should wear a hearing protector if the noise or sound level at the workplace exceeds 85 decibels
(A-weighted) or dB(A). Hearing protectors reduce the noise exposure level and the risk of hearing loss.

How can hearing protection be used effectively?
OSHA’s Permissible Noise
Exposure
Do:
90 dB 8.0 hours
• Make sure the protectors give enough protection - aim at least 92 dB 6.0 hours
to get below 85 dB at the ear; 95 dB 4.0 hours
• Target the use of protectors to the noisy tasks and jobs in a 97 dB 3.0 hours
working day;
• Select protectors which are suitable for the working environment, 100 dB 2.0 hours
1.5 hours
102 dB
consider how comfortable and hygienic they are;
EAR PROTECTION (example hard hats, dust masks and eye protection); 110 dB 30 minutes
105 dB
1.0 hours
• Think about how they will be worn with other protective equipment
• Provide a range of protectors so that employees can choose
15 minutes
115 dB
ones which suit them.
Dont:

• Provide protectors which cut out too much noise - this can cause
isolation, or lead to an unwillingness to wear them;
• Make the use of hearing protectors compulsory where the law
doesn’t require it;
• Have a ‘blanket’ approach to hearing protection - better to target
its use and only encourage people to wear it when they need to.

SIGNS OF INDUSTRIAL DEAFNESS AND NOISE
INDUCED HEARING LOSS

Tinnitus or Muffled Loss of Acoustic trauma
ringing in the hearing high-pitched which causes
ears sounds irreversible
damage to the
eardrum

16 | “WE ARE TRUSTED TO DELIVER QUALITY”