Guidance on selecting, fitting and using industrial earplugs has been released from Honeywell, aimed at helping those responsible for safeguarding workers’ hearing against noise-induced hearing loss.
Fix-A-Fit is a 12-page training guide, which includes a sizing chart and recommendations about the range of earplug sizes and styles needed. Honeywell says it has been developed from research to identify the most common earplug fitting problems, and also provides advice on proper sizing and fitting techniques. They add that it includes information about identifying and addressing the issues surrounding insufficient protection and eliminating earplug discomfort.
“Considering the popularity of earplugs as a form of hearing protection across many industries, it is surprising how many employers still believe that making two or three types of large earplugs available in different colours constitutes offering a variety of solutions,” said Brad Witt, director of hearing conservation at Honeywell Safety Products. “One size does not fit all however, and failure to ensure a proper fit will not only give the user a false sense of security, but seriously compromise low-frequency protection. This could leave them with potentially zero overall protection and therefore exposed to damaging noise levels.”
The guidance is available online and can also be viewed as an interactive guide for tablets and mobile devices, says Honeywell.
