UNDERSTANDING HEARING PROTECTION HEARING DAMAGE IS GRADUAL, OFTEN HAPPENS WITHOUT WORKERS KNOWLEDGE AND ONCE DETERIORATION OCCURS, IT IS IRREVERSIBLE. LONG TERM DAMAGE IS NOT USUALLY APPARENT UNTIL 10 TO 20 YEARS AFTER EXPOSURE. Although induced hearing loss is largely preventable, in Australia and New Zealand industrial hearing loss represents one of the major areas of compensation. Awareness and preventative measures are essential for hearing conservation, and with the appropriate solutions noise induced hearing loss is largely avoidable. Contributing factors to workplace noise are often compounded by secondary sources including traffic, machinery, electrical equipment and music. These are just some examples that are very predominant in today’s environment.
THE CLASS SYSTEM FOR NOISE LEVEL PRODUCTION Under the Standard AS/NZS 1270, there is a classification method for the selection of hearing protectors. Once the extent of the noise hazard has been determined by a noise level survey, the user simply applies this to the classification table below to select an appropriate hearing protector. The class system is a simple way to select hearing protection appropriate to the noise exposure.
EARPLUG FITTING INSTRUCTIONS
INJURIES ARE LIFELONG The human ear is designed to pick up natural sounds. Many workplace processes and applications can generate noise levels that are potentially harmful to hearing. When the tiny sensory hair cells are repeatedly exposed to excessive doses of noise, they break. The surviving sensory hair cells can only process a fraction of the usual information transfer, thus leading to permanent hearing damage.
STEP 1
STEP 2
AVERAGE EXPOSURE dB(A) OVER 8 HOURS
SLC80 dB(A) RANGE
CLASS
1 2 3 4 5
Less than 90
10 to 13 14 to 17 18 to 21 22 to 25
90 to less than 95 95 to less than 100 100 to less than 105 105 to less than 110
26 or Greater
WHAT IS SLC80? SLC stands for Sound Level Conversion; it is a rating defined as the difference between the sound level of the environment in which the hearing protection device is worn, and the sound level reaching the wearer’s ears. The SLC value includes a correction to ensure that the stated degree of noise reduction is obtained on 80% of occasions hence the SLC80 rating.
STEP 3
STEP 4
UNDERSTANDING EAR PROTECTION
EASY TO DAMAGE - EASY TO PROTECT
HEARING PROTECTION STANDARDS
AS/NZS 1270:2002 ACOUSTICS - HEARING PROTECTORS This Standard specifies requirements for the design, materials, and performance of conventional hearing protectors. It also provides guidance on the general requirements for, and the physical and acoustic testing of, specialist hearing protectors. Under Standard AS/NZS 1270 hearing protectors are tested across a range of noise frequencies where a SLC80 rating is mathematically calculated. The results are stated as Class which is determined by the SLC80 rating obtained. The test results are found on the packaging of the hearing protector.
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100% USAGE
Damage to hearing depends not only on the actual noise level but also exposure time. Just five minutes of carelessness during an eight-hour day can potentially lead to lifelong hearing loss. That’s why 100% usage is critical in noisy environments if you are to get the adequate protection from your chosen hearing protector. Choose a comfortable hearing protector that suits your needs.
100% USAGE. Gives the expected protection
99% USAGE. Just five minutes
90% USAGE. Virtually no protection
carelessness per day significantly reduces the effect of the hearing protector
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4 | BUNZL SAFETY | SAFETY PRODUCTS CATALOGUE VOL1
bunzlsafety.com.au | 5
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