Hearing Protection

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Home Safety Info Hearing Protection

APPLICATION
When engineering & administrative noise control measures are unable to reduce the exposure to noise to or below the National Standard for Occupational Noise (see www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au), employees should be supplied with, wear & maintain effective personal hearing protectors.

RISK ASSESSMENT
The need for hearing protection must be assessed by conducting noise surveys in potential noise hazard areas. In some States it is mandatory to commission and register a Noise Level Survey. Noise surveys should be conducted by a professionally trained specialist.
The purpose of this survey / assessment is to identify all employees likely to be exposed to noise above the national standard; obtain information on noise sources and work practices that will help employers decide what measures should be taken to reduce noise; check the effectiveness of any existing measures implemented to minimise exposure; identify hearing protection zones; and assist in the selection of appropriate personal hearing protectors.

When selecting hearing protectors the following factors must be considered:

• The device must attenuate noise to the ear at a level not greater than 85 dB(A) for an 8 hour equivalent day. Remember to compensate for work periods greater than 8 hours.
• Weight and clamping force (for earmuffs).
• Suitability for use with other PPE such as helmets, spectacles, etc.
• The inherent problems of determining and supervising correct fit.
• Hygiene issues associated with earplugs.

No hearing protection device should be used unless it complies with current relevant Australian Standards and carries the manufacturer’s standards licence number.

COMMON NOISE LEVEL EXAMPLES

Exposure dB(A)	Noise Level Examples
115+	Jet Aircraft
105 - 110	Saw Mill, Metal Press
100 - 105	Nightclub, Grinder, Machinery
95 - 100	Concrete Drill, Chainsaw
90 - 95	Lawnmower, Truck, Bobcat
85	City Traffic
80	Vacuum Cleaner
75	Restaurant

CLASSIFICATION TABLE

Hearing protectors are grouped into five classes (based on attenuation performance) that range from under 90 decibels to the upper limit of 110 decibels.

Workplace Noise Levels	Class	SLC80 Range
Less than 90 decibels	1	10 - 13
90 to less than 95 dB	2	14 - 17
95 to less than 100 dB	3	18 - 21
100 to less than 105 dB	4	22 - 25
105 to less than 110 dB	5	26+

Safety Tips

• Over protection may cause wearers to remove hearing protection to communicate.

• Safety spectacle side arms and certain hair styles may affect the air seal of the earmuff.

• Hygiene kits (ear cushions & foam inserts) will help maintain earmuff performance.

• Using earplugs in addition to earmuffs may add up to 3 decibels to the earmuff rating.

SafetyQuip offers a full scope safety supply service for hearing protection including ear plugs, ear muffs, earplugs, ear protection, noise protection, ear bands, electronic ear muffs and shooters ear muffs.