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Working out your SNR scoreThe 'SNR' or Single Number Rating, is a calculated figure and gives a general indication as to how much potential protection a product will give in a noisy environment.
This allows a basic comparison between hearing protectors. |
Selecting your hearing protectionThis information can help you select the hearing protection best suited for your work environment. If you require any further help or details please contact your local Arco branch. It is essential that you provide the correct level of protection in your workplace. Too little will not keep your workforce safe or your business in compliance. Too much can increase risk from other hazards in the workplace. |
Approximately 30% of workers are exposed to hazardous levels of noise at some point during their working day and over 10% are exposed at all times.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is one of the biggest occupational health problems facing us today. Whilst NIHL is permanent and irreverisible, it is also 100% preventable. NIHL is a gradual process and often by the time we are aware of the problem it is too late. It can take 10-20 years for long-term damage to become apparent.
Here's what you must do
|
135dBC | PEAK EXPOSURE | |
80dBA |
DAILY 8hr EXPOSURE |
Here's what you must do
|
137dBC | PEAK EXPOSURE | |
85dBA |
DAILY 8hr EXPOSURE |
Here's what you must do
|
140dBC | PEAK EXPOSURE | |
87dBA |
DAILY 8hr EXPOSURE |
The control of noise regulations 2005, states that anyone working in an environment where noise levels exceed 80dB, is at risk of hearing damage and must be provided with suitable hearing protection on request.
If the noise level exceeds 80dB(a) then the provision and wearing of hearing protection is mandatory. There is also a protected maximum exposure limit of 87dB(a) which must not be exceeded even when wearing protection.
"As we are all different we do not all achieve the same level of attenuation with an identical hearing protection product. Protection levels can be reduced significantly due to poor fitting, poor maintenance or incompatibility with other PPE. The HSE's "Controlling Noise at Work" document suggests that a "real world" derating factor of 4dB should be applied to all hearing protection products. This means that when calculating the actual protection level offered by a product, 4dB should be deducted from the manufacturers own predicted attenuation figure.
It is important to note that derating does not apply to the assessment of performance against peak noise."
It is essential that you provide the correct level of protection for your working environment. Too little will not keep people safe or meet legal obligations. Over-protection can increase risks from other hazards in the workplace such as moving vehicles. Arco can help you select the most appropriate solution from our extensive range of products.
Either contact your local sales office for advice or use our hearing selector tool.
As legislation changes rapidly, we continue to source the latest in technological innovation in order to keep people safe at work. We work with all the trusted names in safety and we offer an unrivalled choice of PPE to satisfy that demands of working in hazardous environments.
Howard Leight - Howard Leight leads the industry by offering the most choices of in-ear hearing protection. And as the leader in innovation, only Howard Leight is continually developing new designs, materials and technologies that take comfort and protection to the next level.
egard- Exclusive to Arco, the unique egard brand guarantees the wearer a high performing, comfortable hearing protector at an affordable price.
3M- Hearing protection products from 3M are designed to provide protection, comfort and ease of use. The range includes a variety of options from disposable ear plugs to hi-tech electronic ear defenders.
Uvex - uvex offer a wide range of ear defenders, disposable and reusable earplugs and dispensers.
Different ear canal shapes and fitting methods result in different protection leaves for individual ear plug wearers. The EARfit Validation system by 3M will tell you the actual level of protection each individual wearer achieves with their chosen ear plug.
Contact your local Arco branch for further details
A personal approach to Hearing Conversation On-site verification has never been easier.
VeriPRO makes it easier to get an accurate, real-world picture of your employees' hearing protection. Find out whether your employees are receiving optimal protection, require additional training on how to fit their earplugs, or need to try a different model. VeriPRO uses sophisticated softwear to find out the Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) your employees are receiving from their earplugs. By varifying earplug effectiveness and providing an ideal opportunity for education, VeriPRO becomes an integral part of a successful Hearing Conservation Program.
Contact your local Arco branch for further details
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