This October, observe National Protect Your Hearing Month by working to raise awareness and prevent noise-induced hearing loss with these tips. Hearing protection is especially important in industrial settings, where machinery, equipment, and poor soundproofing can lead to high noise levels with potentially harmful effects. Employers must provide appropriate hearing protection devices and take steps to educate and remind employees of important safety practices that reduce noise-induced hearing loss. This guide will briefly cover types of hearing protection used in industrial facilities, as well as visual cues that can encourage proper use of these devices and reinforce best practices.
Types of Hearing Protection for Industrial Settings
OSHA 1910.95¹ requires employers provide hearing protection devices for employees when noise levels average 85 decibels or more over 8 hours, or when they spike above 115 decibels for even a short time (most often around specific machinery). Protection is just one part of an OSHA-required hearing conservation program, which also includes education, monitoring, and audiograms.
Earplugs vs. Earmuffs
The primary types of hearing protection employers can provide are earplugs and earmuffs. Disposable earplugs are typically made of memory foam and are compressed before being inserted into the ear canal, where they expand and block sound vibrations from reaching the ear drum. In contrast, earmuffs create a seal around the ear, similarly blocking sound waves from reaching the eardrum. Earplugs are more comfortable and more effective, but easier to lose because of their small size. In contrast, earmuffs provide less protection and can be uncomfortable, especially in warm environments. Which is best often comes down to availability, other required PPE (such as helmets), and the level of noise.
Understanding Noise Reduction Ratings
Earplugs and earmuffs are rated by the amount of noise reduction, in decibels, they will provide. For example, earplugs with a rating of 30 will reduce the noise level by 30 dB: If you’re working with equipment that produces 110 dB of noise, the earplugs would reduce that exposure to 70 dB, making it safer to work in that environment for a longer period. For maximum protection, you can boost the level of noise reduction by using earplugs and earmuffs at the same time.
Visual Cues for Hearing Safety
Visual cues are central to any effective workplace safety program and can be used to increase hearing safety and minimize damaging noise exposure in loud manufacturing, warehouse, or industrial environments. Our Superior Mark® floor marking tape and signs are designed with patented beveled edges and recessed adhesive to stand up to heavy-duty industrial traffic, making them ideal for marking floors with important messaging.
Identify Mandatory Hearing Protection Areas
Mandatory hearing protection areas must be clearly marked to ensure employees use the right devices to reduce noise levels. Our hearing protection signs include text, graphics, and bold colors for optimal visibility and legibility, regardless of language barriers. Choose whichever messaging works best for your environment, or create custom signage that offers more specific instructions for required protection.
Use Color to Create Noise Zones
The noise level of your facility is influenced by a number of factors, from the equipment in use to the processes in place to the ambient environment. Because different areas of your workplace may have different levels of noise exposure, using color-coded floor tape to indicate the level of risk can help employees understand what protection, if any, they need. Our heavy-duty floor tape comes in a wide range of colors, so you can label as many exposure levels as needed.
Clearly Mark the Location of Hearing Protection Devices
Use arrow-shaped floor markers to direct employees to where hearing protection devices are stored. Earmuffs, earplugs, and other PPE should be clearly organized and labeled based on where they should be used, the appropriate size, and the level of protection. If you’ve marked noise-level zones by color, carry that code to your storage areas by using floor tape to mark racks or bins where the corresponding device is stored.
Vibrating machinery, ringing ears, and temporary changes in hearing (such as your ears feeling stuffed up) are all signs of excessive noise in the workplace, which can cause more than just noise-induced hearing loss. Decreased productivity, increased stress, and more accidents or injuries are also consequences of excessive workplace noise exposure. While National Protect Your Hearing Month provides a good opportunity to raise awareness, hearing protection is important year-round, and it should be part of any comprehensive workplace safety program. For more on industrial safety, explore our Resource Center.
Sources:
- https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.95
Additional reading:
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2023/10/05/world-noisy-protect-your-hearing
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/noise/about/noise.html
https://www.osha.gov/noise/exposure-controls
