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30 150-008-01-IADO © 2014, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) 1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca tailgate talks – Protect yoUr Hearing You might have experienced this after working in a noisy environment for several hours. When you stop, your ears may ring, and your hearing doesn't seem normal. Hearing will usually return to normal overnight. However, repeated exposure to excessively loud noises will eventually result in permanent hearing loss. When noise exposure goes down, people often: Show fewer signs of stress Have more energy Experience less hearing loss How much is too much? Health and safety experts suggest that 85 decibels is the maximum noise level that a person should be exposed to over the course of an 8-hour day. An uncabbed tractor, power mower, or snowmobile produces approximately 100 decibels, and safe exposure time is only two hours. Feeding time noise levels in livestock barns may be even higher. Preserve this vital sense Once damage to hearing has occurred, it is impossible to repair. Everyone should take steps to protect their hearing in the farm workplace. If you are aware of the sources of noise, you can make better decisions about protecting your hearing. Charts are available that list sound levels produced by different types of equipment and in various working environments. More precise readings require use of a decibel meter. When it comes to protecting your hearing, it is best to err on the side of caution. Following are basic precautions that all of us should take to prevent hearing loss in the workplace. 1. Limit the length of time exposed to the noise. 2. Stay as far away from noise sources as possible. Doubling the distance from the source reduces the sound pressure to one-fourth its level. 3. Use hearing protection for all noisy jobs. Rubber or plastic ear plugs fit into the ear canal. A snug fit is important. Acoustical ear muffs provide the most effective protection against noise. They don't contribute to infection and discomfort as do ear plugs, which fit tightly and carry dirt to the ear canal. Ear muffs block more noise than plugs because they also cover the sound conducting bones around the ears. wsps.ca

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