March 2021

Focus on Noise Monitoring Handling & Safety Matters dB(A)) should be avoided, except within hearing protection zones.” “86 Where workers are exposed to above the UAV and are therefore required to wear hearing protection, you should not necessarily make it compulsory at all times throughout the working day, (eg in areas or at times when noise levels are low). Hearing protection should be targeted at particular noisy jobs and activities and be selected to reduce exposure at least to below the UAV.” These zones can serve as a reminder to any employees exposed to an LEP,d (daily personal noise exposure) at or above the UAV, for whom hearing protection is compulsory during particular jobs or activities, that they have a responsibility themselves to wear the hearing protection provided. Noise-activated signage Wearing ear defenders is not always popular with staff exposed to industrial noise, and it may not be practical for employees to wear hearing protection constantly, especially where the noise levels are intermittent or vary significantly over the day. Putting up a standard printed “Hearing Protection Must Be Worn” sign means that employees must follow it continuously in these zones and someone has to monitor the people to make sure they comply with the instruction. Noise-activated warning signs, such as those supplied by Pulsar Instruments, provide an alternative temporary warning linked to the actual level of noise itself and can, therefore, help to manage the wearing of PPE. The way such signs work is that the employer sets a trigger level of say 80 dB(A); once noise reaches that level the sign will light up its warning. Such signs therefore effectively allow a designated area where “Hearing Protection Mandatory Only When Lit”. These interactive noise warning signs offer the advantage then, that hearing protection need only be worn when necessary. Using hearing protection only when levels require means companies placing less reliance on using PPE as a noise control measure, more comfort for workers and less work-place isolation. Such signs can also be used to mark out a factory into multiple zones. They can serve as an important safety function in work environments that rely on processes that involve or produce exceptionally loud sounds. Some signs can log and store noise levels and therefore give an indication of noise levels over time. Enabling the Employer to keep track of problem areas and investigate issues to prevent high levels of noise exposure in workers. This article acknowledges information supplied by Cirrus Research and Pulsar Instruments