Two-Way Radio Noise Legislation

Did you know...

• Hearing loss is the most common industrial injury
• 80% of Industrial Injury claims are for hearing loss
• Hearing loss was recognised as a major issue and HSE Guidance (i.e. what they expect you to do) issued as far back as 1963
• The EEC Directive 86/188/EEC set minimum standards to harmonise regulation throughout Europe.
• This directive was implemented in the UK as the Noise at Work Regulations 1989

The HSE estimates that 75% of those exposed to 85 –’d0 90 dB(A) are wearing hearing protection, and that this will rise to around 90% with the change in regulation. The total of potential “new” wearers is almost equal to the current total number of people covered by the current regulations!

You simply deploy the meter in your customers work environment, let it sit until the display has stabilised. This then indicates the average noise level in that area and the type of protection required. The display indicates the period of time the unit has been active in 1 hour increments up to a maximum of 8 hour working day. The meter is accurate to ± 1dB.

Choosing the correct hearing protection for the needs of your customer can be a difficult process. You need to be certain that you are providing the correct level of protection for the noise level. You need to ensure that workers are not over protected and that a suitable product is chosen for the job. With this in mind Peltor have devised an easy-to-use selection system that aids the correct choice of protection for the noise level, namely, the Optime Alert System (pictured left).

The system uses a simple, logically coloured classification to make the selection process easy. Firstly find out what the customers noise level is, then look at the icons on the system and establish which band (RNR) the noise level falls into. Take note of this icon and choose from the wide range of products that Peltor have to offer ensuring that the relevant symbol is displayed.