Transcript Hearing Protection

Hearing
Protection
Training
PART 2 – THE SOLUTION
© Copyright SHS 2006
How can you isolate the hazards?

Step 1: Identify the hazard

Step 2: Remove or reduce the hazard

Step 3: Wear personal protective
equipment
When it comes to the point that
hearing protectors are required
Checklist







Understand your options
Ensure proper fit & compatibility,
Are suitable for the task and hazard
Are compatible with other PPE
Comply with the applicable AS/NZS Standard
Are inspected and cleaned regularly
Feedback: Regular (2yrs) audiometric testing
Compatibility
Other PPE
Half/ Full- Face
Respirator
Hood Respirator
Helmet Respirator
Safety Cap
Safety Glasses/
Goggles
Faceshield
Wearing Gloves
Earplugs
Ear Bands or
Caps
Earmuffs
Headband
Neckband
Cap-attach
Hearing Protection
Types of Hearing Protection

There are three types of
hearing protection – ear
muffs, earplugs and ear
bands or caps.
earmuffs

Ear muffs and earplugs
provide about equal
protection, ear bands
somewhat less.
ear bands or
caps
earplugs
Hearing Protection
Types of Hearing Protectors

All hearing protectors are designed to
reduce the intensity (loudness) of
noise to the inner ear.

They work much better than wads of
cotton or bits of cloth placed in the
ear.

All three types have advantages and
disadvantages and people vary on
which they prefer to use.
Cotton doesn’t work!!
AS/ NZS Standards Rating System
Types of Hearing Protectors

The SLC80 is derived from a hearing protector’s
octave band analysis and includes a correction to
ensure that 80% of wearers obtain the stated
degree of protection.

SLC80 #
– Assigned protection factor for 8 hours
Sound Level Conversion (SLC80)
AS/NZS Standards Rating System
Class, SLC 80 system, exposure.
Class
85dB(A)
range
1
>90
10-13dB
2
90<95
14-17dB
3
95<100
18-21dB
4
100<105
22-25dB
5
105<110
26+ dB
Understanding Attenuation Data
Frequency
125
250
500
1000
2000
4000
8000
Mean
28.7
34.6
42.1
39.1
42.1
50.7
39.9
5.4
5.4
5.9
7.7
4.7
4.1
4.7
23.3
29.2
36.2
31.4
37.4
46.6
35.2
SLC80
Class
30
5
(or average)
Std Dev.
(variation around
average)
Mean SD
Australian Standards Rating System
Some practical applications
We will use the noise hazards we discussed
earlier in your work place as examples.
Measure Noise level = A -
Safe level for Shift
= B
C
Equals SLC80 rating required
= C
Hearing Protection
Ear Plugs

Earplugs are designed to fit into the ear
canal and are made of foam, rubber or
plastic, corded or cordless and are either
one-size-fits-all or have size options.

Some are disposable, some are reusable.

They are lightweight, and require no
maintenance.

They are inserted into the ear canal.
Note: Ear plugs generally have lower attenuation than earmuffs and
require re-fitting several times a day to maintain protection
Fitting Disposable Ear Plugs
1
Normal
2
3
Compress earplug by Pull ear upward &
outward to insert
rolling it tightly
Fit Check
Inserting Foam Earplugs
Earplug incorrectly inserted
Earplug correctly inserted
Earplugs not well inserted into the ear canal will not provide
complete protection
Hearing Protection
Ear Bands

Ear bands are like earplugs,
except they do not go into the
ear canal, they only block it.

They are good for occasional
use or for people who find
earplugs uncomfortable.

They are not as protective as
earplugs or muffs.
Care of Ear Plugs
Disposable ear plugs

Dispose of the disposable ear plugs after use.
Reusable ear plugs
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Wash the reusable ear plugs with warm soapy water
and dry thoroughly.
Check regularly for cracks, shrinkage, hardening,
tearing or permanent deformities.
Dispose of plugs if any signs of wear are noticed.
Store ear plugs in a carry case
Hearing Protection
Ear Muffs

Earmuffs cover the whole ear and
are preferred by many people.

They have replaceable pads and
some high-tech styles filter out
specific noise pitches.

They last longer than plugs and
are more likely to be fitted
correctly.
Hearing Protection
Ear Muffs Accessories

Some earmuffs are attached to hardhats
visors or brow guards.

Others are headband and neck band styles

Some high-tech earmuffs can filter out
certain frequencies or have radios inside for
communication in high noise areas. These
are called level dependant or active muffs
and electronic communication earmuffs.
Hearing Protection
Ear Muff Comfort and Fit

Earmuffs can be less comfortable in very hot
weather. Remember you can use sweat
absorbing cushions

When wearing spectacles check cushion seal
for best results

Earmuffs do require some maintenance.
Cushions must be replaced every 6 months
(AS/NZS1269.3:2005) to ensure the seal and
acoustics are maintained. These kits are called
Hygiene kits
How do you properly fit earmuffs?
Headband
Position earmuffs over the ears.
Adjust height of cups while
holding headband down to fit.
Headband should sit straight
on the head.
How do you properly fit earmuffs?
Neckband
Position earmuffs over the
ears with the band behind
the neck.
Adjust height of cups with
the head strap for a tight,
comfortable fit.
Fitting Safety Cap
1
2
3
Insert headband
into slots until it
snaps in place
‘Working’ or ‘In
Use’ position
‘Storage’ or
‘Parking’ position
How do you replace earmuff cushions?
Pull off ear cushion
and remove
absorber.
Replace with
new parts.
Snap into place
and press firmly.
Care of Ear Muffs
Ear Muffs

Wash with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly.

Check regularly for cracks, shrinkage, hardening, or
permanent deformities.

Replace cushions and linings every
six months or if any signs of wear
are noticed.

Store ear muffs in a carry case
UniSafe Hearing Protection
Plugs,
& band
Trades
Zone series - Industrial colour coded performance
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
UniTune
AM/FM
Common Questions

Do HPD’s inhibit communication?

Do hearing aids work like a HPD?
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Can portable music devices harm my hearing?
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How is hearing tested?

If you wear a muff and a plug combined what
sort of additional protection does it give?
Hearing Protection
How can you hear anything with
Ear Muffs on?

Using earmuffs or plugs in noisy areas can make it
easier to hear coworkers or machinery.

They reduce overwhelming loud background noise.

To help achieve this , it is critical to get the selection
process right, and not over attenuate. The other
alternative is “active” hearing protection products.
Hearing Protection
Hearing Aids are not Hearing Protection

Hearing aids do not block out
enough sound for most workplace
noise.

Some hearing aids can actually
increase the noise level at the ear.

Just turning off the hearing aids will
not prevent further hearing loss
from noise exposure.
Hearing Protection
Portable Radios/CD/MP3 Players

DO NOT provide protection from
noise.

The earphones are not earmuffs
and the music only adds to
background other noise.

These products are often measure
to >95+ decibels alone.
Audiometric Testing
What is Audiometric Testing?

“Audiometric testing” is the
same thing as “hearing tests”.

It is done by trained technicians
to detect any hearing loss.

Audiometric testing is required
by
regulation
and
is
recommended every 2 years
Audiometric Testing
Purpose of Audiometric Testing

Most of us develop a mild hearing
loss as we age, especially in the
higher pitches.

A severe or significant hearing loss
at a younger age may mean you
have had excessive noise exposure.

Audiometric testing done yearly /
bi-yearly can detect early stages of
hearing loss.
Audiometric Testing
Purpose of Audiometric Testing
Audiometric testing results can be used to check the following:

If the hearing protection in
use is adequate,

If there is a change in noise
exposure,

If there is a medical
condition
of
the
ear
unrelated to noise exposure.
Audiometric Testing
How does Audiometric Testing work?

When you are first hired, a
baseline test is taken.

The testing is repeated every
year after that and compared
to the baseline test result.

If a hearing loss is detected,
you will be referred to a doctor
or audiologist.
Combining Ear Muffs and Plugs
According to the national acoustic laboratory
(March 1998) and AS/NZS 1269:2005:
The overall effect is 3-5dB One of our earmuffs & plug
combined:
Frequency
125
250
500
1000
2000
4000
800
0
Mean
28.7
34.6
42.1
39.1
42.1
50.7
39.9
Std Dev.
5.4
5.4
5.9
7.7
4.7
4.1
4.7
Mean SD
23.3
29.2
36.2
31.4
37.4
46.6
35.2
SLC80
Class
36
5
Noise Quiz
Stay Tuned for the final installment
the Noise Quiz.