Recent HSE research findings have exposed some shocking truths about attitudes to hearing protection (HP) in the workplace. With 12,000 cases of hearing loss caused or made worse by work conditions every year, education and engagement in this vulnerable area of our health is vital.
In their research, 80% of those questioned by HSE claimed they had no training in how to wear their HP correctly. The same research showed that 95% of employers are not checking audibility (hear-through) when issuing HP.
Read on for expert advice to pass on to your colleagues on wearing HP for maximum effect.
Inserting Earplugs correctly:
Clean your hands, roll a foam earplug into a thin tube, pull the top of your ear up and back to straighten the ear canal, and then gently insert the compressed earplug. Hold the earplug in place until it expands to create a snug, comfortable seal.
Wearing over-the-head HP correctly:
For earmuffs, ensure they fully cover your ears and form a tight seal against your head with a properly adjusted headband.
When wearing HP correctly:
You should still be able to hear essential noises such as reversing alarms or fire alerts.
A good seal is essential for effective noise reduction:
Don’t wear earmuffs over other non-compatible PPE:
- Over mask straps
- Over the top of a non-compatible helmet
- Over safety glasses
Don’t wear earmuffs over:
- Hoods
- Hats
- Long hair
- Spectacles
- Large earrings or other bulky jewellery
Don’t assume that personal noise cancelling headphones will do the same job as certified (EN352) hearing protection. Noise cancelling technology only masks sounds, it does NOT reduce volume, and therefore does not protect you from hearing damage
If you want to find out more about hearing protection for your workforce, contact one of our experts now (0800 328 5028) who can support you in finding adequate and suitable protection.
This is the first in a special Anchor Safety Advice series, aimed at helping your workforce to engage in and use their hearing protection correctly, so preventing life changing damage and decline of one of their major senses. Hearing loss is the largest preventable factor in dementia – if your colleagues can save their hearing, they could be saving their memories.
View our Hearing Protection range