Hearing Protection
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Height Safety Equipment, Ear Protection, Noise Analyzers, Noise Monitoring
Hearing Protection Articles
Below is a list of articles that have been published on this topic.
Click on the title to view the whole article
Ear Protection [Jun 2010]
Waste of money or good investment?
In noisy workplaces hearing must be protected with hearing protectors. Often the results are poor, however, which makes the ear protection a bad investment. The key to successful ear protection is the careful planning and deep understanding of things that can go wrong. Failing to do so means the numbers suffering hearing loss will not decrease.
Hearing Protectors - Real-world attenuation and new rules for selection and use in Germany [Jan 2010]
The sound attenuation of hearing protectors in the field is often significantly smaller than determined from laboratory testing. Reasons for this are e.g. incorrect fitting or wearout due to long usage. A field study by BGIA that has been recommended by the “PPE technical committee” German Social Accident Insurance has confirmed these observations. Based on these results, the “PPE technical committee” has derived derating values that have to be considered for the selection and use of suitable hearing protectors. Against the background of reduced real-world attenuation of hearing protectors the instruction of the users in the companies has gained in importance. For custom moulded ear-plugs that are manufactured individually taking imprints of the user’s ear canal a functional check is strongly recommended to ensure a correct fit and thus a sufficient sound attenuation. Article: Some years ago the EC Noise at Work Directive (2003/10/EC) came into force. In Germany it was transposed in 2007 into German law by the Noise and Vibration OSH Ordinance. The relevance of this new law to the use of hearing protection is twofold. Firstly, it reduces the exposure action values, at and above which hearing protection must be provided resp. worn, by 5 dB.
Above the Neck - Protection of the head, face, vision and hearing [Nov 2009]
It really goes without saying that the protection of the head, face, vision and hearing in many working environments is of paramount importance. This is due to the importance and sensitivity of these areas and the potential consequences should any of these areas be damaged. Many of the required protective equipment can be fitted into one device - the helmet. However sometimes it is impractical, uncomfortable or just unavailable to the user.
Industrial Noise [Apr 2009]
Protecting irreversible damage to hearing
The environment we live in is a massive issue and one that’s having a growing impact on all our lives, and everyone’s being encouraged to play their part.
Noise and Vibration [Jan 2009]
Safeguarding the protection of workers
Risks arising from noise to workers exposed
Every day, millions of employees in Europe are exposed to noise at work. In case exposure to noise occurs over several years/decades at levels, for example a road builder is exposed to, this may cause hearing impairment, if protection is not provided or is not used.
Links to Products and Services
You may be interested in the following products and services on our sister site - OSE Directory.
Height Safety Equipment, Ear Protection, Noise Analyzers, Noise Monitoring
Welding Precautions [Jan 2009]
Risk to the health of workers must be minimal
This article looks at the safety aspects of different types of welding processes and assesses precautions to be taken. Welding necessitates careful risk assessment and the provision of good procedures, but it is not difficult to provide protection for welders that makes the job no more hazardous than any other workshop practice.
Hearing Protectors [Apr 2008]
Assessment of the real protective properties
The importance of the proper assessment of PPE characteristics
Noise Measurement [Jan 2008]
Advice when considering equipment
With the need for both workplace and environmental noise measurements becoming more widespread, it is essential that users have the appropriate tools to carry out these tasks.
Noise at Work [Oct 2007]
Have the new regulations made a noise?
The ‘Control of Noise at Work’ Regulations came into force in April 2006. Over one year on from the introduction of the regulations, here is a reminder of what they require and the changes they introduced. Plus, here are some tips on when and how to conduct noise measurements in the light of the laws and how to use noise measurement equipment correctly.
Hearing Protection [Sep 2007]
The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Hearing protection is your final stop on the journey to control workplace noise and prevent people losing or damaging their hearing. Only when practical and managerial controls to reduce the intensity and duration of noise exposure have been exhausted should you consider hearing protection as anything more than a temporary measure.
Links to Products and Services
You may be interested in the following products and services on our sister site - OSE Directory.
Height Safety Equipment, Ear Protection, Noise Analyzers, Noise Monitoring
Hearing Protection [Jul 2007]
Standards and testing methods
European EN 352 standards define testing methods for hearing protectors which satisfy the basic requirements of European legislation based on the New Approach. The basic requirements for the design, manufacture and use of hearing protectors against the harmful effects of noise are in Directive 89/686/EEC on Personal Protective Equipment of 21 December 1989. Directive 2003/10/EEC of 6 February 2003 defines the minimum health and safety requirements for workers regarding noise exposure.
Reduce the Effect of Noise [Apr 2007]
A preventative approach to noise control
Recent research cited by the HSE estimates that over 2 million people are exposed to potentially harmful levels of noise during work. Nearly 200,000 people are believed to suffer from partial deafness, tinnitus or other hearing complaints due to excessive workplace noise exposure. Civil compensation for noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) rose dramatically after the Noise at Work Regulations 1989 were introduced in 1990. This legislation provided employees with statutory protection from noise in the workplace by setting clear noise exposure limits, which required employers to assess noise levels in the workplace against these limits, deciding whether they complied and then to provide suitable protection to employees where relevant.
Hearing Protection [Jul 2006]
Employer's obligation to protect their workforce
Protective Work Wear [Apr 2006]
Protective work wear for various end-users
Protective Clothing [Jan 2006]
Filtering devices for industrial workplaces
Links to Products and Services
You may be interested in the following products and services on our sister site - OSE Directory.
Height Safety Equipment, Ear Protection, Noise Analyzers, Noise Monitoring
They Have Ears But Hear Not [Jul 2005]
People have ears. Fish don't but they can still hear
Sound Advice [Oct 2004]
Do You Want Some?
Noise- A Pain in the Ears! [Oct 2004]
Despite the existence of Noise at Work regulations since 1989, the problem of understanding noise remains among some industrial users.
Selection of Hearing Protection [Oct 2003]
In the European Union there are about 400 types of hearing protectors on the market
