How can I protect my employees hearing in high noise environments ?

Protect employees hearing in high noise environments with the Peltor Hearing Protection range of headsets and ear in devices.

As an employer, you have a duty of care to protect your staff and adhere to stringent health & safety laws – Even when controls and safe systems of work have been applied; some hazards might remain.

HSE Explain

Why is dealing with noise important?

Noise at work can cause hearing damage that is permanent and disabling. This can be gradual, from exposure to noise over time, but damage can also be caused by sudden, extremely loud, noises. The damage is disabling in that it can stop people from being able to understand speech, keep up with conversations or use the telephone.

Hearing loss is not the only problem. People may develop tinnitus (ringing, whistling, buzzing or humming in the ears), a distressing condition which can lead to disturbed sleep.

Noise at work can interfere with communications and make warnings harder to hear. It can also reduce a person’s awareness of his or her surroundings. These factors can lead to safety risks – putting people at risk of injury or death.

The law

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to take action to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from noise at work.

 

Hearing damage from noise at work

According to HSE, research estimates that over 2 million people are exposed to noise levels at work that may be harmful (Controlling Noise at Work – Guidance on the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005). Hearing damage is an invisible health effect, and it can often take years for an individual’s hearing to degrade to the point at which they notice any issues. By this time, it is often too late, leaving the individual looking to protect what they have left (HSE).

Consequences of high noise workplaces

• Difficulty communicating
• Psychological effects – isolation
• Employers Absenteeism due to ill health
• Loss of productivity
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
• General loss of wellbeing
• Absenteeism due to ill health
• Legal action

• Actual noise level – the higher the sound level the greater the risk of hearing damage
• Duration of exposure i.e. how long a person is exposed to a hazardous noise level
• Medical conditions – eg. history of repeated ear canal infection

Often it takes a prolonged period of exposure to loud noise before developing signs of permanent hearing damage, but sometimes this can occur when exposed to powerful impulse noise e.g. a very loud explosion. Given the above, it is important to monitor and protect those exposed to hazardous noise levels.

 

Detection

The first step in solving the challenge is to measure the noise levels facing your workers. 3M Detection Solutions make it easy to measure noise hazards, so you can select the appropriate protection for the job.  Personal noise dosimeters help Industrial Hygiene and Safety Professionals monitor noise exposure efficiently and provide tools to empower worker self-management of noise exposure. Intrinsically safe and data logging models are available. 

 

Peltor Hearing Protection Noise / Sound Detection Devices Options ( but not limited to)

 

3M™ Noise Indicator, NI-100

• One of the most affordable noise detection options available for monitoring noise levels, with a durable, small, lightweight design
• Easy to use. Just clip the Noise Indicator to a shirt or jacket
• To turn on, press and hold the button until a double green/red light flashes
• Rechargeable battery that operates for up to 200 hours between charges

 

 

 

 

3M™ Sound Level Meter, SD-200

• Compact, lightweight sound level meter designed for measurement of workplace noise levels
• Offers an integration feature that computes the average sound pressure level
• Simple, user-friendly interface
• User selectable LED Alert screen provides a visual reference of sound levels with green, yellow and/or red LEDs
• Rechargeable battery, with up to 50 hours between charges
• Kit includes SD-200, USB cable and windscreen. DMS software not required.

A compact, lightweight sound level meter designed to accurately measure workplace noise levels.

 

 

 

 

 

3M™ Edge 4 Personal Noise Dosimeter

• Kit includes Edge 4 dosimeter with microphone, windscreen, calibrator adapter and storage case. Docking station and DMS software not included.
• Rechargeable lithium polymer battery
• Thin, contoured mount hugs the shoulder; compact frame offers superior comfort

The 3M™ Edge 4 Personal Noise Dosimeter offers advanced technology packaged in a cable-free, compact frame for a lighter, more ergonomic way to monitor noise levels.

 

 

 

What are your Peltor Hearing Protection options?

DCRS can offer a number of Peltor Hearing Protection solutions from 3M Peltor that can work as protection only, or in conjunction with your two-way radio system.

 

3M™ PELTOR™ Earmuffs

• High performance Peltor Hearing Protection with varying decibel protection for use against light, medium or high industry noise for example, grounds maintenance or power drilling
• Soft wide cushions help reduce pressure around the ears and improve comfort and wearability
• Slim-line, dual moulded cups for improved compatibility with other personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Electrically insulated wire headband
• Large space inside cups helps reduce moisture heat build-up

 

 

 

• Stay protected whilst taking calls wirelessly or listening to the radio – even in noisy environments
• Level dependent function lets you hear ambient sound: conversation, machine sounds and warning signals
• Listen to wireless calls and music with stereo Bluetooth®

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    

3M™ PELTOR™  Built-in Two-way Radio Headsets

• High performance headset with built-in communication radio for “hands-free” short-range communications with other Peltor hearing protection LiteCom headsets and comms radio devices on the same frequency
• 38 subchannels allow users to communicate individually using the same channel
• An auxiliary input also lets you connect a mobile phone or external com radio, regardless of the frequency
• Integrated noise cancelling microphone

 

 

 

In-Ear Solutions – 3M™ PELTOR™ Level Dependent Earplug Kit

• Peltor hearing protection earplugs that help protect your hearing and provide situational awareness
• An intuitive one-button operation, turns the unit on, off and selects the volume settings
• Charging contacts recharge the unit while in the case
• Li-ion battery provides up to 16 hours of continuous operation
• Innovative design helps protect microphone against water ingress
• Compatible with Ultrafit ( SNR = 32 dB ), Torque (SNR = 38 dB), CCC-GRM-25 (SNR= 36 DB) ear tips

 

 

 

Employers have a duty of care to provide the correct provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work – Talk to DCRS today about the Peltor Hearing Protection range of headsets and ear in devices.

Book An Appointment | Arrange A Quote  | Talk To Us 0800 043 2688

 

 

Sources: HSE and 3M Peltor