Around 28 to 32% of Australians work in environments where they are exposed to loud noise. Industries where noise is common in the day-to-day duties for workers include construction, industrial, mining, manufacturing and agriculture.
The problem with regular loud noise exposure is that it is a common cause for irreversible noise-induced hearing loss and hearing damage. It can also cause tinnitus, a ringing sensation in the ears.
Earplugs are one of the most popular forms of Hearing Protection due to their effectiveness in reducing noise, ease of use and comfort. In an industrial work setting, safety Earplugs help workers by reducing loud noises that damage the ears. Safety Earplugs also make it more comfortable for employees to work in noisy environments.
All Earplugs supplied by Eye Protect meet or exceed Australian Safety Standards. In particular all Earplugs meet or exceed Australian Safety Standard AS/NZS 1270:2002, the standard that specifies the requirements for the design, materials, and performance of conventional hearing protectors.
At Eye Protect, we supply Earplugs, Earmuffs and Hearing Protection to businesses of all sizes from individuals, contractors & SMEs to Australia’s largest companies with 1000’s of employees. We can supply Earplugs in various quantities and offer bulk discounts for larger orders. For bulk orders, just call or email us using the Contact Us webform and our team can provide a custom quotation.
We can assist in the selection of the correct Hearing Protection according to your industry and work environment and can provide consulting services as required. We also offer a free trial program for employers with more than 20 employees to test different models prior to larger orders.
If you have any questions, need a hand in selecting the right Earplugs or want to find out more about our consulting services, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Earplugs are a device usually made from foam or silicone and designed to fit the ear canal. In a workplace setting, industrial Earplugs are primarily used to protect the worker’s ears from loud noises, however Earplugs can also provide protection from dust, wind and foreign bodies. Once Earplugs are inserted into the ear, they are designed to seal the ear canal, reducing the sound vibrations that reach the eardrum.
Earplugs are most effective when the wearer has been properly trained on use and insertion. Employers can provide this training before dispensing industrial Earplugs to employees. Training for using Earplugs includes: insertion, a seal check, depth check, removal, cleaning (if reusable), disposal and replacement. If you would like training on Earplugs for your organisation and its employees, please Contact Us.
The Australian Standard AS/NZS 1270:2002 sets Hearing Protection and testing standards. It provides five classes for Hearing Protection, from Classes 1 to 5. Class 1 protection indicates the minimum or lowest level of protection, whilst Class 5 provides the highest level of Hearing Protection.
This noise protection class system is based on the Sound Level Conversion (SLC80) rating. This rating represents the difference between the environment sound level where the Earplugs are worn and the sound level that actually reaches the wearer’s ears. This value is then converted to a recommended noise range. The classes provide employers and workers an easy and convenient way to choose the right safety Earplugs appropriate for their sound level exposure.
The highest decibel reduction Earplugs belong to the Class 5 category.
Earplugs come in a variety of types to suit different applications and personal preferences. The following are the main types of Earplugs used in Australia and around the World.
Eye Protect offers a wide range of top-rated Earplugs in Australia from reputable, world-renowned brands, including uvex earplugs.
Choosing the best noise reduction Earplugs depends on a lot of factors. The foremost considerations to keep in mind are:
For maximum protection noise reduction Earplugs can be combined with Earmuffs for a greater reduction in noise. By workers simultaneously wearing Earplugs and Earmuffs, workers are provided with protection from both forms of hearing protection. It is important to note, the SLC for the Earmuffs and Earplugs cannot be added together to get a total SLC. Workers should also be careful they don’t block out important sounds, including ease of communication with other people on site.