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FACTS
HEARING PROTECTION Hearing Protection
What are you hearing?
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Information Series
Did you know?
Workplace noise is one of the most
Quick facts
common occupational health hazards Noise Measurement – Decibels (dB)
in Newfoundland and Labrador. • Noise is measured in units called • Workers who have hearing loss
The main health effect of overexposure decibels (dB). and wear hearing aids still require
proper PPE to protect against further
to loud noise is permanent noise induced • The higher the decibel, the louder
damage. Turning off hearing aids
the noise.
hearing loss which will continue to is not appropriate.
• The best hearing protection devices
worsen if the worker remains exposed. • Workers overexposed to noise must
are ones worn correctly and
get their hearing tested yearly.
Non-auditory health effects include consistently.
potential stress on the cardiovascular
system including high blood pressure. Legislative Requirements for Hearing Protection
Noise can also pose communication • In accordance with legislative requirements, during an eight-hour work
problems at the workplace and may day, 40-hour work week, the average daily exposure to noise must not
exceed 85dB.
be an indirect safety hazard if workers
• If the shift is greater than eight hours, this daily limit must be
are not able to hear warning alarms. appropriately adjusted.
If noise is a potential issue in the • No exposure above 140 dB is permitted.
workplace, a noise assessment must • For more information consult Sections 68, 71 and 72 of the Occupational
be conducted and steps taken to control Health and Safety Regulations.
the exposure. The first steps must Role of PPE – Hearing Protection
include: attempting to eliminate the When noise cannot be reduced below the acceptable
noise, implementing engineering levels, appropriate hearing protection must be worn!
controls, administrative controls and
Education and Training
finally the use of Personal Protection Workers must receive education and training on the fit,
Equipment (PPE) – in this case hearing use, care and maintenance of a protective hearing device.
protection. Such education and training is normally completed at the time
of a workers’annual hearing testing.
For more information on Hearing Protection in the workplace contact
WHSCC Prevention Services at: (709) 778-1552 or toll free 1-800-563-9000
September 2012
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FACTS
HEARING PROTECTION
Hearing Protection
What are you hearing? continued
Types of PPE - Hearing Protectors
When worn correctly, hearing protectors reduce noise exposure levels and risk of hearing loss. Appropriate and
effective hearing protection must be worn at all times in noisy workplaces. There are many different types of
hearing protective devices, each with pros and cons. Always select appropriate equipment and use it consistently.
Types of hearing protection include:
• Ear plugs – can be pre-moulded (preformed) or mouldable (foam ear plugs) or custom moulded.
They are sold as disposable or reusable plugs which make them convenient. They are also compact
and useful in situations where other PPE such as glasses and respirators are being worn.
• Semi-insert ear plugs (Canal caps) - worn under the chin which makes them useful if workers
are in and out of noisy situations throughout the shift. They are easy to insert and remove.
• Ear muffs – highly visible, quickly retrievable, and useful if a worker’s hands are dirty or they are
wearing gloves.
Selection of Hearing Protection
Choosing the correct hearing protection depends on many factors, one of which includes determining an appropriate
device that will help reduce the noise levels reaching the ear. A device should not block out too much sound,
otherwise a worker may feel isolated by the silence. In order to select the correct PPE, determine the noise level
in the workplace. For guidance, refer to CSA Z94.2-02 “Hearing Protection Devices – Performances, Selection,
Care and Use”. In general, many occupations exposed to noise have daily average exposures less than 95dB.
This would require a Class B/Grade 1/2device; greater than 105dB, will likely require the use of dual hearing protection.
Important factors when selecting effective wearer, it will create a feeling of slight pressure and there
should be resistance when it is pulled on.
hearing protectors
• Compressible (foam) earplugs come in different shapes and
• the daily noise exposure of the worker
sizes to fit different ear canals. Find one that provides
• who will be wearing the equipment and any physical a good fit.
constraints of the worker
• Earmuffs must provide a good fit over the outer ear and
• compatibility with other PPE that must be worn
must be cleaned on a regular basis.
• workplace conditions such as temperature and humidity
• Earmuffs should be stored by hanging the headband on a hook.
• comfort level and individual preferences
• When earmuffs are kept attached to a hard hat, they should be
• ease of use and handling
stored so that the cuffs are not pressing on the hat. This can
• communication needs of the worker compress the cuffs and reduce their effectiveness.
Use, care and maintenance of hearing protection • Hearing protection must be inspected on a regular basis and
if damaged, it must be replaced immediately.
• For an earplug to be inserted correctly it must completely
block the ear canal. While this does not cause pain to the
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September 2012
