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Winter 2022 39 identify at-risk employees and ensure they adhere to OSHA regulations. However, professionals undertaking the monitoring should be trained and prepared su ciently with the right equipment as minor errors in noise level estimates can lead to major errors in exposure calculations. Two pieces of equipment that can be used for the assessment are the sound level meter, primarily designed as a hand-held device used by an operator, and the noise dosimeter, which a sta member wears for their working shift. A sound level meter is an ideal solution for measuring the overall noise level of a task, piece of machinery or area. On the other hand, dosimeters are best for personal noise measurements where it is di cult or unsafe to get close to employees with a sound-level meter because dosimeters are smaller and body-mounted. For example, a dosimeter would be ideal for truck drivers exposed to many di erent noise levels and irregular working patterns. If an assessment establishes that noise levels pose a risk to workers, hearing protection should be supplied immediately while other more permanent solutions are implemented. BUILDING A BETTER APPROACH TO SELECTING HEARING PROTECTION When selecting hearing protection, the attenuation level is critical and noise levels at the ear must be reduced so that exposure is below 85dB(A) TWA. e National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has published three methods for calculating the attenuation of hearing protectors, however, making sure people wear the protector for the entirety of their shift is essential to ensure real-world protection. Employers can take a proactive approach to encourage all-day wear by considering comfort, communication, the environment, the individual, and the relationship with other personal protective equipment (PPE). COMFORT AND FIT Removing PPE, even for short periods, has a signi cant e ect on exposure. erefore, it is crucial that hearing protection is comfortable to increase worker acceptance and support the likelihood of all-day wear. Employers should avoid a ‘one size ts all’ approach to hearing protection because the shape and size of the ear canal varies from person to person. A protector that ts well for one employee may overprotect some workers or be uncomfortable for others. e OSHA recommends having a suitable selection of hearing protection available so that employees can make a choice that best supports their individual needs. e interaction of hearing protection with other PPE is also a signi cant factor. For example, an employee wearing prescription or safety glasses will not obtain an adequate t from a standard earmu , so plugs or semi-inserts may be more suitable. In working environments where hard hats are worn regularly, a hard hat with built-in hearing defenders should be considered. New technology is even allowing ‘ t tests’ of hearing protection, giving con dence that the PPE is being worn correctly and the correct attenuation is attained. MANAGING THE RISK OF ‘OVER-PROTECTING’ WORKERS Communication can be a major issue with PPE because the process of reducing sound, known as attenuation, can pose risks to worker health. If a protector with too little attenuation is used, then employees will not receive enough protection. However, too much noise reduction can create feelings of isolation, and an employee may need to remove their PPE to communicate. In addition, over-attenuation can cut out safety warnings such as re alarms or sirens from reversing vehicles, resulting in further risks to workers. As a rule of thumb, businesses can avoid over-protecting workers by ensuring the level of exposure is not reduced to a level below 75dB(A). CONSIDERING THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE ENVIRONMENT A business’s unique working environment also impacts the best protector choice. For example, dusty conditions common on construction sites can cause hygiene problems. In dusty workplaces, it is crucial to keep the hands clean when inserting protective plugs to avoid ear infections. It is also advisable to consider the individual and ascertain any history of ear problems such as irritation or earache, as earmu s that t over the outer ear may be preferable to avoid medical complications. ENSURING EMPLOYEES GET THE CRITICAL PROTECTION THEY NEED Skill and knowledge of measuring noise can take years to build, so this guidance can only be considered a foundational introduction. If certain aspects of noise monitoring, protection and control are outside of an individual’s competencies then external consultancies, training and support can be sought to bridge knowledge gaps and ensure employees get the critical protection they need. Tim Turney, Global Marketing Manager at Casella TimTurney is Global Marketing Manager at Casella and graduated as an engineer fromQueenMary and West eld in London. Since starting at Casella in 1998, Timhas been involved in the acoustics and air sampling industry, specialising inmeasurement and instrumentation technologies. <<