Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00426:reg:0:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00426
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 0 (pt 7/20)
Character Range: 39992–42989

and the boundaries of these areas should be clearly defined. Workers and other persons, including managers and visitors, should not enter these areas without wearing appropriate personal hearing protectors, regardless of how short the time they stay in the hearing protector area.
Where sign-posting is not practicable, you should make other arrangements to ensure that workers and others know when personal hearing protectors are required. For example:
    * attach prominent warning notices to tools and equipment indicating that personal hearing protectors should be worn when operating them
    * provide written and verbal instructions on how to recognise circumstances in which personal hearing protectors are needed
    * ensure effective supervision of identified hazardous tasks.
Personal hearing protectors should be selected and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1269.3 Occupational noise management – hearing protector program. Involve your workers in the selection process and offer a reasonable choice from a range of types.
Suppliers of hearing protectors should provide the full information on the attenuation likely to be provided including the SLC80 ratings, class and octave band attenuation values. The attenuation values should be derived from attenuation measurements made in accordance with AS/NZS 1270 Acoustics – hearing protectors.

Selection
When selecting personal hearing protectors you should consider:

    * the degree of attenuation required in the worker's environment (see Table 4). Do not provide protectors that overprotect by cutting out too much sound – this can cause difficulties hearing verbal instructions and other sounds needed to work safely
    * the suitability for the type of working environment and the work tasks. For example, ear-plugs are difficult to use hygienically for work that requires them to be inserted with dirty hands and in these circumstances, ear-muffs are more appropriate, but ear-muffs can be uncomfortable to wear in hot environments and can make it difficult for the wearer to enter a confined space or to wear a helmet
    * the comfort, weight and clamping force of the personal hearing protector.
Table 4 Recommended class of hearing protector

Measured exposure     Class
LAeq,8h dB(A)

Less than 90          1

90 to less than 95    2

95 to less than 100   3

100 to less than 105  4

105 to less than 110  5

Individual fit of personal hearing protectors is critical for optimum protection. Several devices are available to assist with this. Wearing work equipment—such as hard hats, dust masks and eye protection—may affect the performance of the protector. The fit of hearing protectors should be checked while the user is wearing regular work equipment. Workers wearing spectacles should be fitted with hearing protectors while wearing the spectacles.

Maintenance
Personal hearing protectors must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they remain in good, clean condition. The inspections should