Beware of hearing overprotection in factories

The risks of overprotection are very real when dealing with hearing conservation, for example, a worker may not hear the warning signal of a truck or piece of heavy equipment.

Hearing protectors are unique among personal protective equipment in that, in order to protect hearing, they make users partially deaf The situation can lead to complications not found with other protective equipment, namely, overprotection, said hearing conservationist, Renee S Bessette, marketing manager for Sperian Hearing Protection

Bessette said: "The risks of overprotection are very real when dealing with hearing conservation, and the consequences can be catastrophic".

She continued: "A worker who cannot hear the warning signal of a truck or piece of heavy equipment backing up can be in serious danger".

Bessette said that workers who cannot hear on the job are much more likely to make mistakes than those who can communicate naturally with their supervisors and co-workers.

Also, studies have shown that workers who cannot communicate clearly or effectively with their fellows tend to feel more isolated on the job, and are less likely to be happy or productive.

What is overprotection? There is no hard and fast rule, but according to Bessette, any protection that reduces sound levels so far below the OSHA-defined 85 dB Action Level that it interferes with communication can be considered overprotection.

"For example," she said, "Properly using an earplug rated at 33 NRR to protect against 90 dB noise levels (the minimum for which protection is required) would definitely qualify".

* Guard against overprotection – to guard against overprotection, Bessette recommended a three part strategy.

1 – First, know the noise levels in your facility, especially in areas where other hazards are present.

A good idea is to post a noise map, indicating where hearing protection is required, and how much.

Making workers wear hearing protectors in areas where they are not required, or providing hearing protectors overrated for the noise hazard is a sure way to induce overprotection.

2 – Select HPDs that provide the right levels of protection.

The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to announce a change to the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) soon that will change the NRR from a fixed number to a range of protection for hearing protectors.

Bessette said: "Most manufacturers provide charts showing protection levels for their products; select a product that will lower your worker’s exposure to a safe level, but not one that reduces ambient levels too far below 85dB".

Also, Bessette noted there are a number of new products on the market which provide level or uniform attenuation.

She said: "These products, like Howard Leight Clarity earplugs and earmuffs, are designed to block harmful noise but to allow warning signals and speech communication to be heard more naturally".

3 – Make sure workers understand the risks.

"It’s hard enough to get workers to understand the risks of hazardous noise in the first place," she said, "But we also need to make them understand that more protection is not always better".

Recent studies have shown the best way to facilitate this understanding is through one-on-one training.

"Group training is a good reminder of hearing conservation principles," said Bessette, "But individual sessions, especially those using some of the new fit-testing software products available, like VeriPRO from Howard Leight, are far more effective, both in helping workers achieve good results from their hearing protectors, and in avoiding overprotection".

Since its beginnings as a one-man operation more than 30 years ago, Howard Leight by Sperian has grown into one of the largest global manufacturers of hearing protectors in the industrial market and the recognised innovator in protection and people-oriented fit.

Howard Leight claimed to offer the widest variety of hearing protection devices and technology, ranging from the highest attenuating Max single-use earplug, to SmartFit earplugs with Conforming Material Technology, which delivers a more personalized fit.

Then there is VeriPRO , the new industry-changing fit verification system for hearing protectors.

Utilizing Bilsom Technology, Howard Leight earmuffs offer performance and comfort, with features like padded wire headbands, high-visibility designs, unique sound management technologies and multi-level attenuation options.

* About Sperian Protection – with nearly 6000 employees worldwide, Sperian Protection is resolutely geared towards international markets.

The world leader in personal protective equipment (hearing, eye, respiratory and fall protection, gloves, clothing and footwear), the Group offers innovative products adapted to high-risk environments so that all workers in the manufacturing and services industries can work with confidence.

Sperian Protection is listed on Euronext’s Eurolist and on the SBF120.