Hearing Protection in the Workplace
Noise induced hearing loss is one of the most common hazards in the modern workplace, and is a danger that employers should not be ignoring.
Protecting employees from hearing damage is most easily done by implementing a hearing conservation programme, of which a large part of is using the correct hearing protection equipment (HPE).
Understanding the noise levels and frequency composition of your workplace is critical to selecting the correct hearing protection. Purchasing equipment without this data will almost certainly result in the wrong or inadequate protection for your employee and working environment.
This is why we always start our Hearing Protection Consultation by conducting or analysing a recent noise measurement survey.
Protecting employees from hearing damage is most easily done by implementing a hearing conservation programme, of which a large part of is using the correct hearing protection equipment (HPE).
Understanding the noise levels and frequency composition of your workplace is critical to selecting the correct hearing protection. Purchasing equipment without this data will almost certainly result in the wrong or inadequate protection for your employee and working environment.
This is why we always start our Hearing Protection Consultation by conducting or analysing a recent noise measurement survey.
Call us today on 0333 0065 002 to discuss what Hearing Protection is best for your workplace
Selecting the correct hearing protection
Standard EN352 is used to define and label the testing methods hearing protection must comply with to satisfy the basic requirements of European legislation.
Using data from our Noise Measurement Service or from third party Noise Survey or Assessment reports, Safer Hearing uses the latest computer software to compare a company's noise levels with a variety of differing types of Hearing Protection Equipment (HPE).
This comparison is undertaken to ascertain if the existing types of HPE used on site are suitable for the sites noise levels, noise frequencies, working environment and the job requirements. As part of this comparison, each item of HPE can be considered in terms of:
The workplace environment and primary operation can often be overlooked, and so when recommending hearing protection we also consider:
We consider all these factors and more before recommending the types of HPE we know are most suitable for your employees, operation and location.
Using data from our Noise Measurement Service or from third party Noise Survey or Assessment reports, Safer Hearing uses the latest computer software to compare a company's noise levels with a variety of differing types of Hearing Protection Equipment (HPE).
This comparison is undertaken to ascertain if the existing types of HPE used on site are suitable for the sites noise levels, noise frequencies, working environment and the job requirements. As part of this comparison, each item of HPE can be considered in terms of:
- Insufficient Protection – Under EN352 is the product up to the job?
- Over protection – Under EN458 is the product offering too much protection, thereby causing the wearer to have difficulty hearing the fire arm or fork lift truck movements?
The workplace environment and primary operation can often be overlooked, and so when recommending hearing protection we also consider:
- Temperature as extreme hot or cold can have a clear impact on HPE suitability
- Clean Room conditions may require special products
- Very dirty jobs may not be suitable for roll-down earplugs
- Food Processing may require metal detectability and non food blue colouration
- Workers in areas with potentially explosive atmospheres require intrinsically safe HPE
We consider all these factors and more before recommending the types of HPE we know are most suitable for your employees, operation and location.
What hearing protection do I need?
Safer Hearing has over 20 years experience in advising on the correct hearing protection and can both compare the existing types of HPE used on site and if necessary recommend other products which may be more appropriate to the site and its noise profile.
As part of the Noise at Work Regulations 2005, employees should be consulted about HPE in respect to comfort and choice, so we consider a wide range of HPE products including:
As part of the Noise at Work Regulations 2005, employees should be consulted about HPE in respect to comfort and choice, so we consider a wide range of HPE products including:
- Disposable Earplugs
- Reusable Earplugs
- Custom Moulded Earplugs
- Semi aural type hearing protectors
- Earmuffs – Over the head fitting
- Earmuffs – Neck band fitting
- Earmuffs – Helmet mounted fitting
Real world effectiveness and HSE 'Derating'
The Health and Safety Executive warns under real world condition most hearing protection equipment provides decreased protection than that stated in manufacturers' information and testing results.
This discrepancy in the publishes specs and the actual protection offered in practise is down to issues such as poorly fitted equipment and the use of other personal protective equipment (PPE) which may conflict (glasses etc.).
Safer Hearing have encountered these issues and compensate by presuming that the level of protection offered by various ear protectors will be noticeably less than those claimed by the manufacturers. We will also consider the whole PPE requirement of your various scenarios and ensure our hearing protection solution is compatible with:
This discrepancy in the publishes specs and the actual protection offered in practise is down to issues such as poorly fitted equipment and the use of other personal protective equipment (PPE) which may conflict (glasses etc.).
Safer Hearing have encountered these issues and compensate by presuming that the level of protection offered by various ear protectors will be noticeably less than those claimed by the manufacturers. We will also consider the whole PPE requirement of your various scenarios and ensure our hearing protection solution is compatible with:
- Safety Helmets
- Bump Caps
- Hair Nets
- Dust Respirators
- Gas & Vapour Respirators
- Full Face Respirators
- Powered & Supplied Air Equipment
- Safety Spectacles, Plano & Prescription
Communicating whilst using hearing protection
We recognise that by protecting employees from any noisy environment with the use of passive HPE, can then lead to issues around their ability to communicate with each other, hearing any warning sirens or alarms and may impair their situational awareness of other potential hazards such as fork lift truck movements.
We also offer communications solutions that work in conjunction with hearing protection to improve productivity as well as protect employees.
We also offer communications solutions that work in conjunction with hearing protection to improve productivity as well as protect employees.
