Protect staff with the right hearing protection products

Ensuring staff are properly equipped to manage and avoid the dangers posed by workplace noise is the responsibility of employers. The good news is that hearing protection doesn't need to be expensive.

Here are some pointers on reducing the danger posed by industrial noise.

The regulations

"Regulations require that workplaces have noise levels under 85 decibels averaged over an eight-hour period," says Paul Flood, managing director and principal consultant at Safety Systems. "If that is exceeded, they need to put a hierarchy of controls in place."

Further, workers must not be exposed to noise above 140 decibels. A company like Safety Systems can advise you whether workers are being exposed to noise at those levels, and whether you need to conduct audiometric testing for employees.

Risk assessment

Paul says there are common-sense ways of testing whether noise is an issue in your workplace and whether hearing protection is required.

"If employees can't hold a conversation within a metre of each other, or they feel noise is excessively loud, then a noise survey should be conducted," says Paul. 

"If there is hazardous noise, we would then get involved with measuring it, doing a risk assessment and recommending suitable hearing protection."

Personal protective equipment 

When the noise hazard is understood, Paul may advise the business to supply staff with personal hearing-protection equipment. 

"People generally go to a safety supply shop and talk with the retailer about the products available," he says. "Recommendations will depend on the range of noise they are combating."

According to Paul there are three basic types of hearing protection: 

• Earplugs: Inserted into the ear canal, these can be custom moulded or disposable. Tend to attenuate the higher frequencies better than the lower. Can be dispensed using a wall-mounted unit.
• Semi-fitted earplugs: Similar to standard earplugs but connected with a rigid or non-rigid band that wraps around the user's head. 
• Earmuffs: Considered the best option, as they are able to attenuate lower frequencies and are easier to fit. Offer a better level of protection from damaging frequencies and noise levels.

Other solutions to noise problems

Paul says there are numerous ways of controlling noise hazards:

• Elimination: Trying to eliminate noise, such as using a quieter piece of machinery.
• Substitution: Instead of hammering or riveting a product together, using glue instead. In other words, substituting one process for another.
• Engineering: Noise barriers, noise-protection walls, or moving noisy items outside.
• Administrative: Allowing people to work in noisy areas for only short periods of time, then moving them to quieter areas. Warning signage is another effective control.

Get protected

Protecting your staff from dangerous noise levels may be as easy and cost effective as supplying personal hearing protection or moving noisy equipment.

Phone an expert today to find out how to ensure the hearing protection of your staff.