Hearing ProtectionStandard
Selection and Use
Company Inc. workers whose work requires exposure to potentiallyhazardous noise levels are at increased risk of developing occupationalnoise-induced hearing loss. Potentially hazardous noise levels should bereduced or eliminated through the use of engineering and/or administrativecontrols. If this is not feasible, the use of appropriate hearing protectiondevices can reduce this potential hazard. This standard is based on theCanadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z94.2-M1984 and the AmericanNational Standards Institute (ANSI) S3.19-1974.
SCOPE:
Anyworker who may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise levels during thecourse of work at Company Inc.
Note:In this standard, "worker" includes staff, contractors andvisitors
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Principal investigators/supervisors and all others in authorityshall:
Workersshall:
HEARING PROTECTIONDEVICES:
Occupational noise-induced hearing loss may be prevented throughthe effective use of appropriate hearing protection. Appropriate hearingprotection must protect against the level of noise hazard, provide acomfortable fit, and comply with CSA Standard Z94.2-M1984 "HearingProtectors".
Appendix A outlines the recommended hearingprotection to be worn when exposed to different levels of noise hazards.
The following sections outline the two general categories ofhearing protection devices:
1) Earmuffs
Earmuffs are externalhearing protection devices consisting of a headband and earcups. The earcupsare cushioned and are intended to fit snugly (but not uncomfortably tight)against the side of the head. The earcup must completely encircle the ear inorder to provide a good seal and thereby protect the noise-sensitive inner ear.Earmuff fit can be compromised by the use of other safety equipment such ashard hats, goggles, glasses, etc. so care must be taken to ensure a proper fit.Earmuffs must comply with CSA Standard Z94.2-M1984.
Earmuffs must not be modified (eg. by drilling ventilation holesin the earcups or reducing headband tension) as this can drastically reduce thenoise attenuation and protection for the user.
The user must regularly inspect and maintain the earmuffs in goodcondition. For example, earcup cushions which are cracked or hardened, or aheadband with inadequate tension must be replaced.
Earmuffs must be properly fitted and worn at all times in noisehazard areas or when performing activities which pose a noise hazard.
2) Earplugs
Earplugs are hearingprotection devices which are inserted into the ear canal. Earplugs must fitsnugly and seal the ear canal to provide adequate noise attenuation and toprotect the noise-sensitive inner ear. Earplugs must comply with CSA StandardZ94.2-M1984.
There are a variety of different earplugs available but the mostcommon ones are expandable foam or preformed plugs with flanges. To get thebest fit, the ear should be pulled back with the opposite hand to straightenthe ear canal and the earplug should be properly inserted with clean hands.Earplugs can work loose through the day (from talking, eating, etc.) andtherefore should be reseated periodically.
Earplugs are either disposable (used only once) or reusable (withproper care, this type of earplug can be used for up to 6 months). Reusableearplugs must be regularly inspected and cleaned (washed in mild soap andallowed to dry in a clean environment). If the earplug material becomes hard oris not able to provide a good seal, the earplugs must be replaced.
Earplugs must not be modified (eg. by removing flanges) as thiscan drastically reduce the noise attenuation and protection for the user.
Earplugs must beproperly fitted and worn at all times in noise hazard areas or when performingactivities which pose a noise hazard.
Use of RecreationalEarphones
Recreational earphones(such as Sony Walkman™) are not a replacement for properlyfitted and appropriate hearing protection. In fact, studies indicate that, evenin areas where noise levels are not hazardous, unless a user maintains thevolume at a conservative (low) level, these earphone devices can contribute tonon-occupational noise-induced hearing loss.
Appendix A
Selection of HearingProtection
A worker is noise-exposed if he/she experiencesregular exposure to sound levels greater than an 8 hour time-weighted averageof 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) or an "equivalent" noise exposure(using a 3 decibel exchange rate).
Time-Weighted Average (TWA) Noise Exposure (expressed in dBA
Recommended Class of Hearing Protection 1
TWA less than 85 dBA
Hearing protection not required 2
TWA up to 89 dBA
Class C hearing protector 3
TWA up to 95 dBA
Class B hearing protector 3
TWA up to 105 dBA
Class A hearing protector
TWA up to 110 dBA
Class A earplug + Class A or Class B earmuff
TWA greater than 110 dBA
Class A earplug + Class A or Class B earmuff and limited exposure
Courtesy:The Canadian Standards Association Standard Z94.2-M1984
1 Classification of hearing protectors as Class A, B or C is basedon the minimum noise attenuation at various assigned frequencies. Class Aprovides the highest level of attenuation across the test frequencies, Class Bprovides the next highest level of attenuation and Class C provides the leastattenuation (virtually no attenuation below 500 Hz).
2 Itmust be stressed that there is no dividing line whereby regular noise exposurebelow a TWA of 85 dBA is considered "safe" and above this level is"unsafe". The majority of individuals who are regularly exposed tonoise levels between 80-85 dBA will not experience noise-induced hearing lossbut there may be some susceptible individuals who will experience this loss.This possibility should be discussed with any individual whose TWA is between80-85 dBA and appropriate hearing protection should be provided on request.
3 Although CSA Standards allow forClass B or C hearing protection between 86 – 105 dbA it is Company Inc.’s policy to require Class A protection for anyone above 85dbA.
Selection and Use
Company Inc. workers whose work requires exposure to potentiallyhazardous noise levels are at increased risk of developing occupationalnoise-induced hearing loss. Potentially hazardous noise levels should bereduced or eliminated through the use of engineering and/or administrativecontrols. If this is not feasible, the use of appropriate hearing protectiondevices can reduce this potential hazard. This standard is based on theCanadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z94.2-M1984 and the AmericanNational Standards Institute (ANSI) S3.19-1974.
SCOPE:
Anyworker who may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise levels during thecourse of work at Company Inc.
Note:In this standard, "worker" includes staff, contractors andvisitors
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Principal investigators/supervisors and all others in authorityshall:
Workersshall:
HEARING PROTECTIONDEVICES:
Occupational noise-induced hearing loss may be prevented throughthe effective use of appropriate hearing protection. Appropriate hearingprotection must protect against the level of noise hazard, provide acomfortable fit, and comply with CSA Standard Z94.2-M1984 "HearingProtectors".
Appendix A outlines the recommended hearingprotection to be worn when exposed to different levels of noise hazards.
The following sections outline the two general categories ofhearing protection devices:
1) Earmuffs
Earmuffs are externalhearing protection devices consisting of a headband and earcups. The earcupsare cushioned and are intended to fit snugly (but not uncomfortably tight)against the side of the head. The earcup must completely encircle the ear inorder to provide a good seal and thereby protect the noise-sensitive inner ear.Earmuff fit can be compromised by the use of other safety equipment such ashard hats, goggles, glasses, etc. so care must be taken to ensure a proper fit.Earmuffs must comply with CSA Standard Z94.2-M1984.
Earmuffs must not be modified (eg. by drilling ventilation holesin the earcups or reducing headband tension) as this can drastically reduce thenoise attenuation and protection for the user.
The user must regularly inspect and maintain the earmuffs in goodcondition. For example, earcup cushions which are cracked or hardened, or aheadband with inadequate tension must be replaced.
Earmuffs must be properly fitted and worn at all times in noisehazard areas or when performing activities which pose a noise hazard.
2) Earplugs
Earplugs are hearingprotection devices which are inserted into the ear canal. Earplugs must fitsnugly and seal the ear canal to provide adequate noise attenuation and toprotect the noise-sensitive inner ear. Earplugs must comply with CSA StandardZ94.2-M1984.
There are a variety of different earplugs available but the mostcommon ones are expandable foam or preformed plugs with flanges. To get thebest fit, the ear should be pulled back with the opposite hand to straightenthe ear canal and the earplug should be properly inserted with clean hands.Earplugs can work loose through the day (from talking, eating, etc.) andtherefore should be reseated periodically.
Earplugs are either disposable (used only once) or reusable (withproper care, this type of earplug can be used for up to 6 months). Reusableearplugs must be regularly inspected and cleaned (washed in mild soap andallowed to dry in a clean environment). If the earplug material becomes hard oris not able to provide a good seal, the earplugs must be replaced.
Earplugs must not be modified (eg. by removing flanges) as thiscan drastically reduce the noise attenuation and protection for the user.
Earplugs must beproperly fitted and worn at all times in noise hazard areas or when performingactivities which pose a noise hazard.
Use of RecreationalEarphones
Recreational earphones(such as Sony Walkman™) are not a replacement for properlyfitted and appropriate hearing protection. In fact, studies indicate that, evenin areas where noise levels are not hazardous, unless a user maintains thevolume at a conservative (low) level, these earphone devices can contribute tonon-occupational noise-induced hearing loss.
Appendix A
Selection of HearingProtection
A worker is noise-exposed if he/she experiencesregular exposure to sound levels greater than an 8 hour time-weighted averageof 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA) or an "equivalent" noise exposure(using a 3 decibel exchange rate).
Time-Weighted Average (TWA) Noise Exposure (expressed in dBA
Recommended Class of Hearing Protection 1
TWA less than 85 dBA
Hearing protection not required 2
TWA up to 89 dBA
Class C hearing protector 3
TWA up to 95 dBA
Class B hearing protector 3
TWA up to 105 dBA
Class A hearing protector
TWA up to 110 dBA
Class A earplug + Class A or Class B earmuff
TWA greater than 110 dBA
Class A earplug + Class A or Class B earmuff and limited exposure
Courtesy:The Canadian Standards Association Standard Z94.2-M1984
1 Classification of hearing protectors as Class A, B or C is basedon the minimum noise attenuation at various assigned frequencies. Class Aprovides the highest level of attenuation across the test frequencies, Class Bprovides the next highest level of attenuation and Class C provides the leastattenuation (virtually no attenuation below 500 Hz).
2 Itmust be stressed that there is no dividing line whereby regular noise exposurebelow a TWA of 85 dBA is considered "safe" and above this level is"unsafe". The majority of individuals who are regularly exposed tonoise levels between 80-85 dBA will not experience noise-induced hearing lossbut there may be some susceptible individuals who will experience this loss.This possibility should be discussed with any individual whose TWA is between80-85 dBA and appropriate hearing protection should be provided on request.
3 Although CSA Standards allow forClass B or C hearing protection between 86 – 105 dbA it is Company Inc.’s policy to require Class A protection for anyone above 85dbA.
Health & Safety Policy
HyperSpike HS-24
In accordance with Accipiter Radar Technologies Inc.’s Hearing ProtectionStandard any worker who may be exposed to, or operating the HyperSpike HS-24Speaker will adhere to the following Health & Safety guidelines. 1
As outlined in the diagram below:
§ 85 dbA – OH&Snoise limit for 8-hour exposure without hearing protection; below this level itwould be clearly safe to approach and work without hearing protection
§ 91dbA – OH&S noiselimit for 2-hour exposure without hearing protection; 2 hours represents themaximum duration for speakers to sound off continuously; therefore, the zoneoutside of the contour line is still relatively safe, but the duration of timewithout hearing protection should be monitored and incorporated into worker’soverall noise exposure for that day; for somewhat prolonged activities, wearingClass A muff or Class A plugs in the area would be advisable; within thiscontour line, hearing protection should be worn irrespective.
§ 95 dbA – Accipiter’soccupational exposure limit above which Class A plug hearing protection isrequired; the exposure time within this zone when speakers are on should belimited; also, additional Class A muffs may have to be worn when the speakerscome on.
§ 115 dbA – this leveldesignates the energy equivalent level during the times that the speaker is on;Class A plug and Class A Muff should be used when encroaching on this zone.
1 Although CSA Standards allow forClass B or C hearing protection between 86 – 105 dbA it is Company Inc.’s policy to require Class A protection for anyone above 85dbA depending on exposure levels.
HyperSpike HS-24
In accordance with Accipiter Radar Technologies Inc.’s Hearing ProtectionStandard any worker who may be exposed to, or operating the HyperSpike HS-24Speaker will adhere to the following Health & Safety guidelines. 1
As outlined in the diagram below:
§ 85 dbA – OH&Snoise limit for 8-hour exposure without hearing protection; below this level itwould be clearly safe to approach and work without hearing protection
§ 91dbA – OH&S noiselimit for 2-hour exposure without hearing protection; 2 hours represents themaximum duration for speakers to sound off continuously; therefore, the zoneoutside of the contour line is still relatively safe, but the duration of timewithout hearing protection should be monitored and incorporated into worker’soverall noise exposure for that day; for somewhat prolonged activities, wearingClass A muff or Class A plugs in the area would be advisable; within thiscontour line, hearing protection should be worn irrespective.
§ 95 dbA – Accipiter’soccupational exposure limit above which Class A plug hearing protection isrequired; the exposure time within this zone when speakers are on should belimited; also, additional Class A muffs may have to be worn when the speakerscome on.
§ 115 dbA – this leveldesignates the energy equivalent level during the times that the speaker is on;Class A plug and Class A Muff should be used when encroaching on this zone.
1 Although CSA Standards allow forClass B or C hearing protection between 86 – 105 dbA it is Company Inc.’s policy to require Class A protection for anyone above 85dbA depending on exposure levels.
