Ear Defenders

The appropriate selection of ear defenders is critical to protect employees, and meet legal safety standards.

There are various working environments that require ear protection, such as construction, engineering, motoring and more. All of these locations pose a serious threat to workers’ hearing, and an equally serious demand for the right personal protective equipment (PPE).

The range of ear defenders available from Protec Direct

Our wide range of ear defenders include helmet-mounted, headband and neck ear muffs. We also stock widely accredited protective hearing brands, including Peltor ear defenders. All Protec Direct hearing protection earmuffs conform to the appropriate British and European legislation requirements.

Ear defenders and the Law

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to eliminate or reduce the associated risks of exposure to loud noise. Regular exposure to noise can lead to extensive, and often permanent, hearing damage. To manage this, the law states that employers have a legal obligation to reduce the noise exposure, and a responsibility to equip employees with personal hearing protection.

To comply with the legal exposure limits, it’s imperative that the noise workers are exposed to, even with the appropriate safety equipment, is not above 87 decibels for daily or weekly exposure.

When providing employees with ear defenders, make sure they are used properly and that any hearing protection safety zones, wherein hearing protection is compulsory, are clearly identified.

How do I choose the correct ear defenders?

When choosing the right ear defenders, you should consider the following:

• The best hearing protection ear muffs are sufficient enough to eliminate the risk of hearing damage, but not so much so that the worker is isolated/can’t hear communication from others. A 3M Peltor WS Headset, for example, has a built-in-level-dependent function, to allow wearers to hear ambient sound, such as conversation, machine sounds and warning signals.
• Consider the role and working environment such as physical activity, comfort and hygiene to select the best safety ear muffs. For example, the 3M Peltor Optime III ear defenders have broad sealing rings in plastic foam for low-contact pressure.
• Compatibility with other protective equipment, such as hard hats, is another important factor. In industries where protective headgear is necessary, such as construction, a helmet-mounted headset is recommended to maximise on-site safety.

Hazards that require ear defenders

Ear defenders should be worn if the noise or sound level of a workplace exceeds 85 decibels. Hearing protectors will reduce the noise exposure level and the risk of hearing loss.

If hearing protection is required, then a complete hearing conservation program should be implemented.

Browse our selection of ear protectors below, and don’t forget to take advantage of our free next day delivery if you spend over £25. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.