Just like so many other potential risks to your health, significant importance should be placed on protecting your hearing when doing your job in an environment that is particularly loud.
Ear defenders should be worn when carrying out any noisy tasks and the Health and Safety Executive deems that employers are responsible for ensuring staff have access to such personal protective equipment (PPE) if it is likely they will be exposed to situations that could compromise their wellbeing in this way.
At Hivis.net, we stock a range of industry standard ear and hearing protection, which is suitable for different purposes and industries.
Furthermore, the more you buy, the more you save - and you can take advantage of discounted prices if you choose to bulk buy more than ten of the same item.
What do I need to think about when buying ear defenders?
There are several considerations you should make when choosing the PPE that is most suitable for the work being carried out.
When it comes to hearing protection, you need to think about whether or not the defenders will actually cut out too much noise - as this can be dangerous if it means personnel will be oblivious to what is going on around them.
Another element to think about is if they will be able to be worn with other protective equipment. The need for a hard hat is a typical example of when two items of PPE may not fit well together. Because you don't want either to be compromised, it's important to find gear that will be accommodating to all of your needs.
You also need to bear in mind why you need ear protection in the first place, as there are numerous situations that could call for some form of hearing PPE. These include:
- Mining work
- Excavation work
- Working in engine rooms
- Using loud power tools
- Drilling work
Looking after your ear protection
While we do all we can to ensure you are getting good value with your purchases, there are things you can do to help you to get maximum use out of what you buy.
In the case of ear and hearing protection, keeping your equipment clean is essential for both hygiene and functional reasons.
If you are using headphones instead of earplugs, then make sure the tension of the headband remains sufficiently taut and is not reduced, as this can result in them becoming harder to wear.
Similarly, checks should be made on the earmuff seals to see if they are damaged. If they are, then you should consider replacing them, as it means the defenders will not be able to do their job properly.
Ear plugs also need to be looked after - compressible items need to remain clean, soft and pliable.