Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Telecommunications relay service wikipedia , lookup
Olivocochlear system wikipedia , lookup
Auditory system wikipedia , lookup
Sound localization wikipedia , lookup
Lip reading wikipedia , lookup
Hearing loss wikipedia , lookup
Hearing aid wikipedia , lookup
Sensorineural hearing loss wikipedia , lookup
Audiology and hearing health professionals in developed and developing countries wikipedia , lookup
Hearing Protection Training PART 2 – THE SOLUTION © Copyright SHS 2006 How can you isolate the hazards? Step 1: Identify the hazard Step 2: Remove or reduce the hazard Step 3: Wear personal protective equipment When it comes to the point that hearing protectors are required Checklist Understand your options Ensure proper fit & compatibility, Are suitable for the task and hazard Are compatible with other PPE Comply with the applicable AS/NZS Standard Are inspected and cleaned regularly Feedback: Regular (2yrs) audiometric testing Compatibility Other PPE Half/ Full- Face Respirator Hood Respirator Helmet Respirator Safety Cap Safety Glasses/ Goggles Faceshield Wearing Gloves Earplugs Ear Bands or Caps Earmuffs Headband Neckband Cap-attach Hearing Protection Types of Hearing Protection There are three types of hearing protection – ear muffs, earplugs and ear bands or caps. earmuffs Ear muffs and earplugs provide about equal protection, ear bands somewhat less. ear bands or caps earplugs Hearing Protection Types of Hearing Protectors All hearing protectors are designed to reduce the intensity (loudness) of noise to the inner ear. They work much better than wads of cotton or bits of cloth placed in the ear. All three types have advantages and disadvantages and people vary on which they prefer to use. Cotton doesn’t work!! AS/ NZS Standards Rating System Types of Hearing Protectors The SLC80 is derived from a hearing protector’s octave band analysis and includes a correction to ensure that 80% of wearers obtain the stated degree of protection. SLC80 # – Assigned protection factor for 8 hours Sound Level Conversion (SLC80) AS/NZS Standards Rating System Class, SLC 80 system, exposure. Class 85dB(A) range 1 >90 10-13dB 2 90<95 14-17dB 3 95<100 18-21dB 4 100<105 22-25dB 5 105<110 26+ dB Understanding Attenuation Data Frequency 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 Mean 28.7 34.6 42.1 39.1 42.1 50.7 39.9 5.4 5.4 5.9 7.7 4.7 4.1 4.7 23.3 29.2 36.2 31.4 37.4 46.6 35.2 SLC80 Class 30 5 (or average) Std Dev. (variation around average) Mean SD Australian Standards Rating System Some practical applications We will use the noise hazards we discussed earlier in your work place as examples. Measure Noise level = A - Safe level for Shift = B C Equals SLC80 rating required = C Hearing Protection Ear Plugs Earplugs are designed to fit into the ear canal and are made of foam, rubber or plastic, corded or cordless and are either one-size-fits-all or have size options. Some are disposable, some are reusable. They are lightweight, and require no maintenance. They are inserted into the ear canal. Note: Ear plugs generally have lower attenuation than earmuffs and require re-fitting several times a day to maintain protection Fitting Disposable Ear Plugs 1 Normal 2 3 Compress earplug by Pull ear upward & outward to insert rolling it tightly Fit Check Inserting Foam Earplugs Earplug incorrectly inserted Earplug correctly inserted Earplugs not well inserted into the ear canal will not provide complete protection Hearing Protection Ear Bands Ear bands are like earplugs, except they do not go into the ear canal, they only block it. They are good for occasional use or for people who find earplugs uncomfortable. They are not as protective as earplugs or muffs. Care of Ear Plugs Disposable ear plugs Dispose of the disposable ear plugs after use. Reusable ear plugs Wash the reusable ear plugs with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly. Check regularly for cracks, shrinkage, hardening, tearing or permanent deformities. Dispose of plugs if any signs of wear are noticed. Store ear plugs in a carry case Hearing Protection Ear Muffs Earmuffs cover the whole ear and are preferred by many people. They have replaceable pads and some high-tech styles filter out specific noise pitches. They last longer than plugs and are more likely to be fitted correctly. Hearing Protection Ear Muffs Accessories Some earmuffs are attached to hardhats visors or brow guards. Others are headband and neck band styles Some high-tech earmuffs can filter out certain frequencies or have radios inside for communication in high noise areas. These are called level dependant or active muffs and electronic communication earmuffs. Hearing Protection Ear Muff Comfort and Fit Earmuffs can be less comfortable in very hot weather. Remember you can use sweat absorbing cushions When wearing spectacles check cushion seal for best results Earmuffs do require some maintenance. Cushions must be replaced every 6 months (AS/NZS1269.3:2005) to ensure the seal and acoustics are maintained. These kits are called Hygiene kits How do you properly fit earmuffs? Headband Position earmuffs over the ears. Adjust height of cups while holding headband down to fit. Headband should sit straight on the head. How do you properly fit earmuffs? Neckband Position earmuffs over the ears with the band behind the neck. Adjust height of cups with the head strap for a tight, comfortable fit. Fitting Safety Cap 1 2 3 Insert headband into slots until it snaps in place ‘Working’ or ‘In Use’ position ‘Storage’ or ‘Parking’ position How do you replace earmuff cushions? Pull off ear cushion and remove absorber. Replace with new parts. Snap into place and press firmly. Care of Ear Muffs Ear Muffs Wash with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly. Check regularly for cracks, shrinkage, hardening, or permanent deformities. Replace cushions and linings every six months or if any signs of wear are noticed. Store ear muffs in a carry case UniSafe Hearing Protection Plugs, & band Trades Zone series - Industrial colour coded performance Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 UniTune AM/FM Common Questions Do HPD’s inhibit communication? Do hearing aids work like a HPD? Can portable music devices harm my hearing? How is hearing tested? If you wear a muff and a plug combined what sort of additional protection does it give? Hearing Protection How can you hear anything with Ear Muffs on? Using earmuffs or plugs in noisy areas can make it easier to hear coworkers or machinery. They reduce overwhelming loud background noise. To help achieve this , it is critical to get the selection process right, and not over attenuate. The other alternative is “active” hearing protection products. Hearing Protection Hearing Aids are not Hearing Protection Hearing aids do not block out enough sound for most workplace noise. Some hearing aids can actually increase the noise level at the ear. Just turning off the hearing aids will not prevent further hearing loss from noise exposure. Hearing Protection Portable Radios/CD/MP3 Players DO NOT provide protection from noise. The earphones are not earmuffs and the music only adds to background other noise. These products are often measure to >95+ decibels alone. Audiometric Testing What is Audiometric Testing? “Audiometric testing” is the same thing as “hearing tests”. It is done by trained technicians to detect any hearing loss. Audiometric testing is required by regulation and is recommended every 2 years Audiometric Testing Purpose of Audiometric Testing Most of us develop a mild hearing loss as we age, especially in the higher pitches. A severe or significant hearing loss at a younger age may mean you have had excessive noise exposure. Audiometric testing done yearly / bi-yearly can detect early stages of hearing loss. Audiometric Testing Purpose of Audiometric Testing Audiometric testing results can be used to check the following: If the hearing protection in use is adequate, If there is a change in noise exposure, If there is a medical condition of the ear unrelated to noise exposure. Audiometric Testing How does Audiometric Testing work? When you are first hired, a baseline test is taken. The testing is repeated every year after that and compared to the baseline test result. If a hearing loss is detected, you will be referred to a doctor or audiologist. Combining Ear Muffs and Plugs According to the national acoustic laboratory (March 1998) and AS/NZS 1269:2005: The overall effect is 3-5dB One of our earmuffs & plug combined: Frequency 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 800 0 Mean 28.7 34.6 42.1 39.1 42.1 50.7 39.9 Std Dev. 5.4 5.4 5.9 7.7 4.7 4.1 4.7 Mean SD 23.3 29.2 36.2 31.4 37.4 46.6 35.2 SLC80 Class 36 5 Noise Quiz Stay Tuned for the final installment the Noise Quiz.