160 80 150 70 140 60 130 50 120 40 110 30 20 100 10 90 PS55 PW47 T400 838 | Electric Transformer - 45 dB Air Conditioning - 60 dB City Traffic - 78 dB Tractor/Hand Drill - 97 dB Rock Concert - 105 dB Hammer Drill - 114 dB Pneumatic Riveter - 124 dB Jet Takeoff - 140 dB 12 Gauge Shotgun - 165 dB Peak Chainsaw - 110 dB Motorcycle - 100 dB Lawn Mower - 90 dB Vacuum Cleaner - 80 dB Conversation- 65 dB Floor Fan- 50 dB Refrigerator Hum - 40 dB Rustling Leaves - 30 dB The PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 has a risk approach which defines harmful noise as a risk that may cause very serious hearing injuries. As a result, the Regulation has recategorized hearing protection from Category 2 Risk PPE (Intermediate) to Category 3 Risk (Complex). The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 The Noise Regulation 2005 requires employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to noise at work. It asks to take specific actions and defines action levels and limit values of exposure to noise: EN 352-1:2020 Hearing Protectors - Ear Muffs EN 352-2:2020 Hearing Protectors - Ear Plugs EN 352-3:2020 Hearing Protectors - Helmet Mounted Ear Muffs All these standards establish requirements with regards to the manufacture, design, performances and test methods. SNR (Single Number Rating): Single average value of attenuation. HML : Attenuation values expressed in terms of average levels of frequencies: H : Attenuation of PPE at high frequencies (pitched noises). M : Attenuation of PPE at medium frequencies. L : Attenuation of PPE at low frequencies (bass sounds). HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF? 4 Steps To Choose The Appropriate Hearing Protection. 1. Identify the nature of the noise: stable, fluctuating, intermittent or pulse. 2. Measure the noise at the working station: intensity (dB) and volume (Hz). 3. Determine the exposure time. 4. Calculate the required attenuation needed. The attenuation level offered by the hearing protector should bring the noise to a level that is not harmful to health whilst avoiding over-protection which would isolate the worker. Hearing protectors that reduce the level at the ear to below 70 dB should be avoided. ANSI S3.19 1974 American National Standard - Methods for Hearing Protection Measurement This standard specifies the test method for determining the level of noise attenuation (NRR Noise Reduction Rating) of the hearing protection, as recommended by the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). AS/NZS 1270 2002 Australian and New Zealand standard for Hearing Protectors Devices. This standard specifies the attenuation offered by a hearing protection device through Sound Level Conversion (SLC80). MARKINGS AND STANDARDS DECIBEL SCALE (DBA) Daily / Weekly average exposure to noise Peak Sound pressure LOWER EXPOSURE ACTION VALUES 80db 135db UPPER EXPOSURE ACTION VALUES 85db 137db LEVELS OF NOISE EXPOSURE THAT MUST NEVER BE EXCEEDED 87db 140db
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