Hearing protection programs are designed to reduce the risk of long-term damage from repeated or prolonged exposure to noises. OSHA standards require a hearing protection program when workers are exposed to noise levels above 85 decibels (dB) based on an eight hour time-weight average (TWA).
In industries such as oil and gas, mining, transportation and construction, workers are expected to perform their jobs year round — no matter the conditions.
It is impossible to ignore the effect of legislation when discussing personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace, and in most industrialised nations it is now mandatory for employers to provide appropriate PPE to the workforce.
Selecting the correct hand protection for a specific application is one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of a safety director’s responsibility.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that for every 10,000 full-time equivalent workers, 25 hand injuries occur on average per year.