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Personal Protective Equipment - Hearing Protection
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Hearing protection
Industrial noise is often overlooked as an occupational hazard, as it is not visible to the eye. Overall, about 22 million workers in the United States are exposed to potentially damaging noise levels each year.[8] Occupational hearing loss accounted for 14% of all occupational illnesses in 2007, with about 23,000 cases significant enough to cause permanent hearing impairment.[8] About 82% of occupational hearing loss cases occurred to workers in the manufacturing sector.[8] The Occupational Safety and Health Administration establishes occupational noise exposure standards.[9] NIOSH recommends that worker exposures to noise be reduced to a level equivalent to 85 dBA for eight hours to reduce occupational noise-induced hearing loss.
PPE for hearing protection consists of earplugs and earmuffs. Workers who are regularly exposed to noise levels above the NIOSH recommendation should be furnished hearing protection by the employers, as they are a low-cost intervention.
What are some things I should know about selecting hearing protection devices?
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.
If hearing protection is required, then a complete hearing conservation program should be instituted. A hearing conservation program includes noise assessment, hearing protector selection, employee training and education, audiometric testing, maintenance, inspection, record keeping, and program evaluation.
The effectiveness of hearing protection is reduced greatly if the hearing protectors do not fit properly or if they are worn only part time during periods of noise exposure. To maintain their effectiveness, they should not be modified. Remember, radio headsets are not substitutes for hearing protectors and should not be worn where hearing protectors are required to protect against exposure to noise.
Select hearing protection that is: Correct for the job. Refer to the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z94.2-02 (Reaffirmed 2011) "Hearing Protection Devices - Performance, Selection, Care and Use" or contact the agency responsible for occupational health and safety legislation in your jurisdiction for more information.
Provides adequate protection. Check the manufacturer's literature.
Comfortable enough to be accepted and worn.
What types of hearing protectors are available?
Ear plugs are inserted to block the ear canal. They may be premolded (preformed) or moldable (foam ear plugs). Ear plugs are sold as disposable products or reusable plugs. Custom molded ear plugs are also available.
Semi-insert ear plugs which consist of two ear plugs held over the ends of the ear canal by a rigid headband. Ear muffs consist of sound-attenuating material and soft ear cushions that fit around the ear and hard outer cups. They are held together by a head band.
How do I pick my hearing protectors?
The choice of hearing protectors is a very personal one and depends on a number of factors including level of noise, comfort, and the suitability of the hearing protector for both the worker and his environment. Most importantly, the hearing protector should provide the desired noise reduction. It is best, where protectors must be used, to provide a choice of a number of different types to choose from.
If the noise exposure is intermittent, ear muffs are more desirable, since it may be inconvenient to remove and reinsert earplugs.
How can I find out how much a hearing protector can reduce a worker's exposure to noise?
Manufacturers provide information about the noise reducing capability of a hearing protector as an NRR (noise reduction rating) number. The NRR ratings are based on noise reduction obtained in laboratory conditions.
How do I use Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) value to determine the protection provided by a hearing protector?
NIOSH recommends using subject fit data based on ANSI S12.6-1997 [or most current edition] to estimate hearing protector noise attenuation.
If subject fit data are not available, NIOSH recommends derating hearing protectors by a factor that corresponds to the available real-world data. Specifically, NIOSH recommends that the labeled NRRs be derated as follows:
2. When the noise exposure level in dB(A ) is known, the effective A-weighted noise level is: ENL = Workplace noise level in dB(A) - (derated NRR -7)
There are other single number ratings available. For details refer to the Canadian Standard CSA Z94.2. Another single number rating is based on (Subject Fit) Real Ear Attenuation measurements, known as Single Number Rating (Subject Fit 84th percentile) and abbreviated as SNR (SF 84) (for details see ANSI Standard S12.6). "SF 84" indicates that 84% of the users in a well run hearing conservation program are expected to receive at least that much protection.
What is a Single Number Rating (SNR)?
An SNR is a single number rating system determined according to International Standard ISO 4869. The tests are carried out by commercial laboratories that are independent of the manufacturers. Like NRRs, SNRs are expressed in dB's and are used as a guide for comparing the potential noise reduction capability of different hearing protection devices. Since the procedures for measuring NRRs and SNRs are different, the NRR and SNR values for an individual hearing protector are different. For further details please refer to the Canadian Standard CSA Z94.2 or American Standard ANSI S12.6.
How should I care for my hearing protection device?
Industrial noise is often overlooked as an occupational hazard, as it is not visible to the eye. Overall, about 22 million workers in the United States are exposed to potentially damaging noise levels each year.[8] Occupational hearing loss accounted for 14% of all occupational illnesses in 2007, with about 23,000 cases significant enough to cause permanent hearing impairment.[8] About 82% of occupational hearing loss cases occurred to workers in the manufacturing sector.[8] The Occupational Safety and Health Administration establishes occupational noise exposure standards.[9] NIOSH recommends that worker exposures to noise be reduced to a level equivalent to 85 dBA for eight hours to reduce occupational noise-induced hearing loss.
PPE for hearing protection consists of earplugs and earmuffs. Workers who are regularly exposed to noise levels above the NIOSH recommendation should be furnished hearing protection by the employers, as they are a low-cost intervention.
What are some things I should know about selecting hearing protection devices?
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.
If hearing protection is required, then a complete hearing conservation program should be instituted. A hearing conservation program includes noise assessment, hearing protector selection, employee training and education, audiometric testing, maintenance, inspection, record keeping, and program evaluation.
The effectiveness of hearing protection is reduced greatly if the hearing protectors do not fit properly or if they are worn only part time during periods of noise exposure. To maintain their effectiveness, they should not be modified. Remember, radio headsets are not substitutes for hearing protectors and should not be worn where hearing protectors are required to protect against exposure to noise.
Select hearing protection that is: Correct for the job. Refer to the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z94.2-02 (Reaffirmed 2011) "Hearing Protection Devices - Performance, Selection, Care and Use" or contact the agency responsible for occupational health and safety legislation in your jurisdiction for more information.
Provides adequate protection. Check the manufacturer's literature.
Comfortable enough to be accepted and worn.
What types of hearing protectors are available?
Ear plugs are inserted to block the ear canal. They may be premolded (preformed) or moldable (foam ear plugs). Ear plugs are sold as disposable products or reusable plugs. Custom molded ear plugs are also available.
Semi-insert ear plugs which consist of two ear plugs held over the ends of the ear canal by a rigid headband. Ear muffs consist of sound-attenuating material and soft ear cushions that fit around the ear and hard outer cups. They are held together by a head band.
How do I pick my hearing protectors?
The choice of hearing protectors is a very personal one and depends on a number of factors including level of noise, comfort, and the suitability of the hearing protector for both the worker and his environment. Most importantly, the hearing protector should provide the desired noise reduction. It is best, where protectors must be used, to provide a choice of a number of different types to choose from.
If the noise exposure is intermittent, ear muffs are more desirable, since it may be inconvenient to remove and reinsert earplugs.
How can I find out how much a hearing protector can reduce a worker's exposure to noise?
Manufacturers provide information about the noise reducing capability of a hearing protector as an NRR (noise reduction rating) number. The NRR ratings are based on noise reduction obtained in laboratory conditions.
How do I use Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) value to determine the protection provided by a hearing protector?
NIOSH recommends using subject fit data based on ANSI S12.6-1997 [or most current edition] to estimate hearing protector noise attenuation.
If subject fit data are not available, NIOSH recommends derating hearing protectors by a factor that corresponds to the available real-world data. Specifically, NIOSH recommends that the labeled NRRs be derated as follows:
- Earmuffs - Subtract 25% from the manufacturer's labeled NRR
- Formable earplugs - Subtract 50% from the manufacturer's labeled NRR
- All other earplugs - Subtract 70% from the manufacturers labeled NRR
2. When the noise exposure level in dB(A ) is known, the effective A-weighted noise level is: ENL = Workplace noise level in dB(A) - (derated NRR -7)
There are other single number ratings available. For details refer to the Canadian Standard CSA Z94.2. Another single number rating is based on (Subject Fit) Real Ear Attenuation measurements, known as Single Number Rating (Subject Fit 84th percentile) and abbreviated as SNR (SF 84) (for details see ANSI Standard S12.6). "SF 84" indicates that 84% of the users in a well run hearing conservation program are expected to receive at least that much protection.
What is a Single Number Rating (SNR)?
An SNR is a single number rating system determined according to International Standard ISO 4869. The tests are carried out by commercial laboratories that are independent of the manufacturers. Like NRRs, SNRs are expressed in dB's and are used as a guide for comparing the potential noise reduction capability of different hearing protection devices. Since the procedures for measuring NRRs and SNRs are different, the NRR and SNR values for an individual hearing protector are different. For further details please refer to the Canadian Standard CSA Z94.2 or American Standard ANSI S12.6.
How should I care for my hearing protection device?
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Check hearing protection regularly for wear and tear.
- Replace ear cushions or plugs that are no longer pliable.
- Replace a unit when head bands are so stretched that they do not keep ear cushions snugly against the head.
- Disassemble ear muffs to clean.
- Wash ear muffs with a mild liquid detergent in warm water, and then rinse in clear warm water. Ensure that sound-attenuating material inside the ear cushions does not get wet.
- Use a soft brush to remove skin oil and dirt that can harden ear cushions.
- Squeeze excess moisture from the plugs or cushions and then place them on a clean surface to air dry. (Check the manufacturer's recommendations first to find out if the ear plugs are washable.)
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References
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ppe/ear_ ... .html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_protective_ ... ction
http://stonehousesigns.com/taxonomy/term/109/all?p ... age=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtIcqkjZG1s
http://geresales.com/our-products/occupational-hea ... ucts/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_protective_ ... ction
http://stonehousesigns.com/taxonomy/term/109/all?p ... age=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtIcqkjZG1s
http://geresales.com/our-products/occupational-hea ... ucts/
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