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Posted By Nicholas Morris
Reg 11 states that these may be granted if use of hearing protectors will result in greater risks to health and safety. I am considering applying in the case of our forklift drivers and others who rely heavily on verbal communications. Has anyone any experience in how you go about it and what is involved? Is it likely to trigger a visit? Thanks in anticipation.
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Have you tried hearing Protection with built in communication systems?
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Posted By Geoff Ferneyhough
Nicholas,
If you e-mail me off site I will give you the details of one of the type of hearing protectors that we use within a noise protection zone that enables communication
Regards
Geoff
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Posted By Nicholas Morris
We have trialled communications-enabled hearing protection with minimal success- our biggeast problem with these is the wide range of frequencies within our factory environment. My query is primarliyl to do with the exemption certificate route: what is involved?
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Posted By Alison WR
Surely the process is set out in the guidance to the regs, pp 30-31. You would be required 'to agree with HSE a programme ....', so might well receive a visit.
I discussed hearing protection exemption with HSE in a different context, and they were clear that the increase in danger due to wearing protection must be very high to justify an exemption.
Have you tried flat-frequency response ear plugs? They are expensive, but comfortable, and last for years. They operate at 9, 15 or 25dB, create negligible distortion of the noise information, and can actually make it easier to hear speech in a noisy environment.
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Posted By Dave Daniel
Years ago I tried applying for an exemption certificate to the old Eye Protection Regs on behalf of Rover Group to allow us to use a new form of welding filter which could not comply with the BS on a technicality. You'll find no-one in the HSE wants to know and it'll just get passed around and up until you lose the will to live. They'd only really entertain something like this if someone with the political muscle to put them in the thumbscrews took it up such as a Government Minister with a lot of backing.
I do agree with your concerns however. I would note that most "white van" drivers are probably also exposed to over 80dB(A)Leq, and what about crane drivers etc. or others who need to hear warnings? Unfortunately I forgot to bring the noise meter when I hired a Ford Sprinter recently. My own Honda CR-V records 79.9dB(A) if I drive at 65 with the window open. Here again I would not be advising they all wear earmuffs, no matter what the law says.
There does seem to be justification for a large number of specific exemptions from these silly Regs but I guess the HSE will prefer to turn a blind eye. I can't see the Noise Police bursting in to stop the playing of the 1812 Overture.... can you?
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