HEARING PROTECTION

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Topic : Personal Protective Gears 

HEARING PROTECTION 

Noise is unwanted sound that can effect job performance, safety, and your health. Psychological effects of noise include annoyance and disruption of concentration. Physical effects include loss of hearing, pain, nausea, and interference with communications when the exposure is severe. 

Hearing protection is essential when noise exposures can't be controlled at their source. Both earplugs and earmuffs provide a physical barrier that reduces inner ear noise levels inner ear and prevent hearing loss from occurring. However, people often resist wearing these or use them incorrectly. 

Employees resist wearing hearing protection more than any other type of personal protective equipment. One reason is, they don't think they really need it. But hearing loss occurs so gradually (even in intense exposures) that by the time you notice it, irreversible damage has already occurred. Another reason for not wearing hearing protection is that it can feel uncomfortable. Sometimes workers "spring" the muffs so they don't seal properly against the head, or snip off the inner portion of ear plugs leaving only the outer end to fool their supervisor. If you feel the need to do this, see your supervisor about obtaining a different type or style that fits you correctly and comfortably. 

Slight initial discomfort may be expected when a good seal between the surface of the skin and the surface of the ear protector is made. The amount of protection you obtain depends on obtaining a good seal and even a small leak can substantially reduce the effectiveness of the protector. Remember to check the seal several times each day. Protectors - especially ear plugs - have a tendency to work loose as a result of talking or chewing, and must be resealed occasionally. 

Properly designed, fitted, and clean ear protectors will cause no more discomfort to most workers than wearing a pair of safety glasses. Earplugs are made of soft material such a neoprene to prevent injury to the ear canal. Skin irritations, injured eardrums, or other adverse reactions from using ear plugs are very rare if they are kept reasonably clean. 

There are many different styles, types, and brands of ear protectors available, but when correctly fitted, they all provide similar levels of protection. The best hearing protector for you is one that fits correctly so that you can wear it properly. 

Some signs that you should be wearing hearing protection include: If it is necessary for you to speak in a very loud voice, or shout directly into the ear of a person to be understood, it is likely that the noise level is high enough to require hearing protection.

NOISE @ Construction Site 

Excessive noise from construction machineries and tools on site can cause, over a period, progressive and irreversible loss of hearing, before this permanent loss, rushing or ringing noises in the ear can be a constant source of annoyance. This is called “TINNITUS”.

If you work in areas where you need to struggle to be heard then you require hearing protection. This can be either earplugs or earmuffs. These give good protection if some simple rules are observed.

1. Wear ear protectors always if exposed to a noise hazard. Check the notice boards.
2. Do not use cotton wool for ear protection; it is not effective.
3. Make sure that ear plugs are a good fit in each ear and are properly inserted.
4. Regularly cleanse re-usable earplugs to the manufacturers’ instructions.
5. Use disposable earplugs once only.
6. Hands should be clean when handling all types of earplugs.
7. Earmuffs should be a good fit to the head all around the seal.
8. Ensure that ear muffs are worn the correct way around.
9. See that muff seals are always in a serviceable condition.
10. Do not alter the pressure of ear muffs by bending the head band If you work with compressed air tools ensure that:-

• Mufflers are fitted, where possible, to tool.
• Airlines do not leak - this can cause unnecessary noise.
• Compressor access covers are kept shut.

Radios can increase the general level of noise and can cause annoyance, if these are allowed on site consider others.

Do you ask people to speak louder so you can hear? Do you have to turn your TV / Radio louder so that people complain? If yes, you are running into trouble. You may be heading towards “Hearing Loss”. Hearing loss usually occurs little by little, but once lost you'll never get it back.

There are two kinds of hearing loss.

1. Temporary: - It clears up if you’re off the job for a while.
2. Permanent: - With this you will never get back to normal.

• Exposure to loud noise for short time can begin damage.
• A moderate level of noise can cause permanent damage if exposed for longer periods. It happens gradually.
• Safest limit of noise is 85 dB, above which hearing protection is required. And above 115 dB, double protection is required. ( Ear plug and ear muff )
• You can have your area noise tested if you have doubt.
• As arule of the thump, the decibel level could be above the legal limit if you have to raise your voice to be heard one foot away.
• Other signs are temporary hearing loss / ringing in the ears.

Protection against Noise

• Use quieter equipments
• Reduce exposure by sound barriers and regular rotation of workers, different work process etc.
• Use effective hearing protection when needed.
• Post signs at noisy areas.

Exposure to noise can cause permanent hearing loss - it can be irreversible.

Main Points: General

• The following equipment can be harmful to your hearing: compressors, con saws, breakers, generators, etc.
• You do not have to be using noisy equipment; you can be affected by someone working close by.
• Exposure to noise may cause hearing loss, irritation, annoyance and fatigue, lack of concentration.
• Use a less noisy process, if possible
• If you have to shout to be heard, then wear ear defenders.
• Ensure machinery is fitted with mufflers and that compressor doors are closed.
• Your first priority should be to reduce noise levels and hence your exposure to noise.

On Site Safety

The presenter should outline / reiterate the site specific requirements of this particular site with regard to:

• Rated hearing protection
• Risk assessment
• Method statements
• Noise monitoring
• Health surveillance

HOW LOUD IS LOUD?

Most of us take our sense of hearing for granted-we assume that we hear what everyone else hears. Loss of hearing may not be realized until a friend or spouse screams in frustration, "Why don't you ever listen to me!!" This is because hearing loss is usually gradual. Normally, it doesn't hurt, so we don't know it's happening. It doesn't annoy us like losing our eyesight. In fact, it is sometimes a blessing to tune out all the clatter and noise of the city and workplace. 

Yet our ability to hear when we want to is precious and must be protected. Employers often reduce the amount of noise in the workplace by enclosing or muffling loud machinery, but they usually can't eliminate it entirely. Employers may also rotate workers out of an area so they needn't experience a full work day of excessive noise exposure. Whatever the length of time you work in an area with high noise levels, you are probably required to wear a type of hearing protection. Some people consider this a nuisance. The more you know about those ears of yours, however, the more likely you will take responsibility for protecting them. 

Do you realize that noise exposure off the job can also damage your hearing? The critical sound level when hearing protection should be worn is 85 decibels (dBA), established for an 8-hour time weighted average. The louder and longer your exposure, whether at work, at home, or during recreation, the more likely your hearing will be damaged. If you want to have a sense of "how loud is loud," the following examples, along with their decibel rating, will give you an idea:

Wear your hearing protection! 

Many disposable or reusable plugs are available and most of these reduce noise by about 20-30 decibels. The noise reduction rating (NRR) is usually marked on the package, or on the box if they come in bulk. However, since the NRR is established in a laboratory with perfectly fitted.

Remember:- There is no satisfactory treatment for noise induced hearing loss so:- 

NOISE CAN DAMAGE YOUR HEARING PERMANENTLY. WEAR YOUR HEARING

PROTECTION!YOUR EARS ARE PRECIOUS — PROTECT IT

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