From honking cars to radio music, we’re exposed to noise every single day. Sometimes it’s pleasant, while other times, it can be irritating. Our workplace is not an exception to noise. In fact, most people experience the loudest levels of noise at work. This is most frequently seen in construction-related jobs. From constant hammering to the sound of heavy machinery, many loud sounds can take a toll on your hearing. That’s why in today’s blog, we will cover how to protect your hearing on the job.
How to Protect Your Hearing on the Job
When noise levels are high, it’s vital you take the necessary controls by using proper hearing protection devices to prevent hazardous levels of noise from damaging your inner ear. The latest advancements in the industry have provided workers with more personal protective equipment for hearing than ever before! Below we’ll go over the top hearing protection options:
Ear Plugs
Ear plugs are one of the most common items used for hearing protection on the job. This option is often recommended for users that need hearing protection for extended periods of time. There are usually three options:
• Disposable ear plugs – usually made of foam with a narrow shape for a comfy wear
• Reusable ear plugs – can be washed and reused on multiple occasions
• Corded ear plugs – can be either disposable or reusable. Allows the worker to hand around their neck when not in use.
Ear Muffs
Ear muffs feature duo cushions covering the user’s entire ear to block sound. In order to properly muffle out sound, they need to fit snuggly to create a tight seal. While this hearing protection option is pretty easy to use, they have a lower NRR than ear plugs. Muffs are recommended for workers who periodically enter and exit a noisy environment rather than those that work under continuous noise. In addition to protecting your hearing, ear muffs also help keep the ears warm, making them ideal for exterior jobs such as construction and landscaping.
Beyond PPE: Training Workers for Hearing Damage Prevention
Simply providing ear muffs and ear plugs to workers isn’t enough to solve the problem. Training is essential because it teaches workers the dangers of loud noises and permanent hearing loss. Training sessions also offer workers the opportunity to ask questions and openly talk about safety concerns. Getting your worker’s input is very valuable, and this is one of the few occasions where you can get it organically.
Protect Your Hearing with Extreme Safety!
Hearing damage is a big problem in the construction industry. Every day, more and more workers suffer from hearing damage due to a lack of PPE. If your workplace needs ear plugs, ear muffs, or other hearing protection equipment, Extreme Safety is happy to offer you a wide inventory of the best PPE. We hope this blog helped you see how to protect your hearing on the job. Order your hearing protection by giving us a call at (310) 856-0166 or clicking here.
