Ear Safety
Many construction tasks, tools and equipment produce high levels of noise which can lead to irreversible hearing problems.
Overview
Exposing your ears for even 15 minutes to an 85>Db (decibel) noise, i.e., the noise levels of industrial equipment, can cause serious harm.
Hearing protection such as ear plugs and ear muffs are designed to reduce the intensity or loudness of sound. They should be fitted properly and worn on any noisy work site.
How to insert earplugs
Have you ever wondered if you were inserting your earplugs correctly? We have put together step-by-step instructions to make it as easy as possible.
1. Grab one of your earplugs
2. Pinch the earplug with both hands
3. Roll it back and forward between your fingers to compress it as much as possible
4. Squeeze to ensure it is as narrow as possible
5. Grab the top of your ear with your opposite hand to open up your ear canal
6. Insert the compressed earplug into your ear while still pulling the top of your ear back
7. Twist the plug to help it go in
8. Once it is in as far as is comfortable, hold the earplug by pressing it until you feel the plug fully re-expand. This may take around one minute.
Done! A correctly inserted ear plug should look like this. You should not be able to see the plug standing front on.
To remove the earplug, pull the end of the plug and twist it out.
Note: this example is of an incorrectly inserted ear plug. If you are having trouble correctly fitting your earplugs you may need to get a supplier to do a demonstration on site.