Some workplaces are noisy. Some are REALLY noisy. So what do you do about it? That’s easy, issue everyone in the noisy areas with earplugs or earmuffs, right? Problem solved!
Then you find that some people aren’t wearing them at all. Some are wearing their earplugs half out. Some are just tucked in their ears without being in the ear canal, so they’re doing nothing at all.
The earmuff wearers have them only half covering their ears. This is completely contrary to your PPE policy, so you issue some verbal warnings. When that doesn’t work, you move on to written warnings. But they’re still not complying with the rules.
What the hell is wrong with these people? Are they stupid? Don’t they realise you’re only doing it for their own good? What can you do now?
While you tried to do the right thing, this requires further consideration. This is about controlling the noise, not just the people. Several factors are involved here, and a systematic approach is necessary. Most people come to work and try to do their best, and what makes sense to them at the time. I don’t believe many people come to work with the intention of breaking every rule. I hope I’m right.
The first thing you need to know is just how much noise you’ve got, and the only effective way is to measure it. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 state that the level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is 85 dB(A) (daily or weekly average exposure). The level at which employers must assess the risk to workers’ health, and give them information and training, is 80 dB(A). There is also an exposure limit value of 87 dB(A), taking account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection, above which workers must not be exposed.
Ideally a full professional noise survey by a competent person with the right equipment will reveal the extent of your problem. If people have to shout to hear each other at 2 metres apart, then you do have a problem. If you can’t have a full survey for some reason, a good quality calibrated noise meter will give a good indication.
The first thing to consider is whether the noise can be reduced. In industrial environments, a lot of noise comes from equipment and machinery. Often compressed air pressure to individual parts can be reduced, and leaks can be fixed, saving you money at the same time as cutting down the noise.
Consider if the noisiest operations can be isolated so that only a few people work in the noisy area. Loud music playing also adds to the noise level; there are often many ways noise can be reduced. Once you’ve done everything reasonably practicable to reduce the noise, your survey should show what attenuation your hearing protection needs to provide.
Hearing protection provides different levels of attenuation, or reduction. If the protection blocks out too much noise, people struggle to communicate as they can’t hear each other. This is probably the most common reason for not using hearing protection correctly. People are just trying to do their best, remember? Unfortunately, it’s often the case that the cheapest hearing protection provides very high noise reduction of 35 or 37dB, and it’s more commonly purchased in the mistaken belief that more attenuation is better. This means that manufacturers make more of it, and when you make more the cost of production is less. It’s a vicious circle. When you provide the right level of attenuation it might cost a bit more, but your workers’ hearing will still be protected, and they’ll be better able to communicate. This means they’ll be more likely to use it correctly.
It’s well worth consulting your workers and providing a choice of hearing protection types that provide the right level of protection. It’s critical people are comfortable with their PPE; after all they spend a lot of time wearing it, and it needs to protect them properly. They’ll thank you for it, and maintaining your compliance will be easier.