Exposure Times
Noise induced hearing loss carries with it a lot of negative health, social and productivity consequences, both to the employer and the individual. The ears are not adapted to the noise levels we are being exposed to in our modern, every-day environment. Noise from industry, traffic, engines and leisure activities such as shooting & hunting, loud music etc is damaging our hearing. Noisy work environments are of special concern due the number of hours and repeated exposure.
Today there are many protective products available to guard against noise induced hearing loss. TuffTronix solutions stand out because in addition to hearing protection, our users can communicate while they focus on their work. Standards demand that the first action level is at a daily personal noise exposure of 80dB(A) during 8 hours. In this situation hearing protection should be offered. Because of individual differences, some people are more sensitive to noise than others.
- Lower Exposure Action Level 80 dB[A] / 135 dB[C] - Where noise exposure exceeds the lower exposure action values, the employer shall make individual hearing protectors available to workers.
- Upper Exposure Action Level 85 dB[A] / 137 dB[C] - Where noise exposure matches or exceeds the upper exposure action values, individual hearing protectors shall be used!
- Exposure Limit Values 87 dB[A] / 140 dB[C] - Under no circumstances shall the exposure of the worker exceed the exposure limit values! At work in circumstances with more noise exposure the individual hearing protectors shall be so selected as to limit the exposure at the exposure limit values.
If you are exposed to any of the above action levels without wearing hearing protection, there is a great risk that you may suffer permanent hearing damage.
How noisy is your environment? Here are some examples:
85-100dB - Light tractors & Lawn mowers, Electric hand tools, Workshop equipment, Light garden machinery
85-120dB - General manufacturing industry
100-120dB - Heavy tractors, Steel construction, Road construction, Engine rooms on ships
110-120dB - Steel works, Forestry equipment (chain saws, saw mills), Textile industry, Paper & printing works, Concrete processing, Heavy plant (bulldozers etc.), Pneumatic drills, Jack-Hammers
115-130dB - Mining & quarrying
120-150dB - Airports, Jet engines, Motor sports
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