What is the importance of using ear plugs at industrial sites for workers?

Being in an industrial workplace and surrounded by noisy machineries, foam ear plug has been one of the best and popular ways to protect your ears. Traditionally, foam ear plug were used to protect the ear from noise but also used to block-out all the sound making it hard to communicate without removing them.

Active noise-cancelling ear plug that are introduced with latest technology solve this issue and are used widely nowadays. They allow hearing the speech clearly while cancelling out the noises and providing protection to your ears.

Understanding what is hearing damage

Hearing loss can occur if your ears are exposed to a continuous noise of 85 decibels for 8 hours. The average sound level of a normal conversation is around 60 decibels that is well below the threshold of hearing loss. Though, here comes the equation. The increase of 3 decibels past 85 decibels can cause hearing loss in half the time. Therefore, an exposure to 88 decibels can cause hearing loss in 4 hours, 91 decibels can cause the same in 2 hours, and so on. Once the noise is more than 100 decibels, hearing damage can occur in a time less than 15 minutes. Louder the exposure, the faster hearing loss occurs.

How to choose the correct hearing protector

The choice of a correct hearing protector depends on multiple factors. These include comfort, level of noise, and the hearing protector suitability against both the environment and the user. Though, the most important factor is that the hearing protector must provide the required noise reduction. It is considered the best where a range of hearing protectors is available to choose from.

Importance of ear plug at industrial sites

The best protection that can be offered for noise exposures at industrial sites is to eliminate the requirement to work with the tools that creates these noises. Though realistically, this is not possible always. The noise levels that employees are exposed to can be reduced by introducing specific machines and tools that are designed for operations at lower decibels. This will reduce the risk of hearing loss. Administrative controls can also be implemented, such as restricting the number of hours that an employee works in high decibel environments.

The final line of protection from high decibel environments is using the PPE. Products such as earplug and ear muffs help in reducing high decibel exposures and provide hearing loss protection. Ear plugs are the devices that provide the maximum protection considering they are inserted properly. Therefore, appropriate training is required for employees for wearing the earplugs correctly when used. Ear muffs can also be used to restrict and reduce decibel exposure, though not as good as ear plug. This is why most workers prefer ear plug. They are easier to wear correctly. Mallcom is one of the best ear plugs manufacturers available and is specialized in manufacturing PU foam ear plug, best suitable for multiple industrial environments.

Some necessary tasks may be unavoidable to perform despite high decibel exposures, but in that case, employers should take appropriate steps and measures for protecting employees and their hearing. Exciting Deals on Samsung Digital Watches During this Festive Sale

Major advantages of ear plug

There are a number of significant advantages of ear plug over other types of hearing protectors available. Some of them are mentioned and discussed below.

• As ear plug fits directly into the ear canal, they offer a higher level of noise protection as compared to other hearing protection devices.
• Ear plugs are suitable for the people employed in factories, airport tarmacs, and foundries.
• Easier to carry around in a hard shelled case or in a sealable plastic baggie.
• Ear plugs are more compatible with other personal protective equipment, i.e. workers who are wearing safety helmets or safety glasses, ear plugs provide them more comfort with less interference.
• Ear plugs are appropriate for environments with higher temperatures and humidity.
• They also fulfill the audibility needs, providing adequate communications at the workplace.

Conclusion

No denying the fact that the tools used in the working sites and environments make a loud noise. But that does not conclude that the employees will suffer temporary or permanent hearing loss. By reducing, eliminating or protecting against the noise exposures through the implementation of appropriate hearing protection at the workplace, an employer can reduce the chances of occupational hearing loss of their employees to great extent.