Everyday life can be a pretty noisy event. A whisper is about 30 Decibels (dBA), a noisy restaurant: 82 dBA; a lawnmower: 90 dBA, a siren at 100 feet: 140. Consider what our ears deal with on a daily basis in our homes, on the street, and elsewhere. Add to that the noise an average food industry worker hears during the day, and one can see that our ears are sensitive instruments for hearing in a very noisy world and a very noisy industry.
According to the United States Department of Labor’s website, “The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that 30 million workers in the U.S. are exposed to hazardous noise.” In food industry operations, the sounds of forklifts, motors, vehicles, conveyors, cleaning equipment, hydraulic equipment, etc. can all be sources of noise. They also can be the source of hearing loss, if ears are left unprotected.
There are at least 60 million ears out there that need some help combating this daily assault of workplace noise. To combat hearing loss, a wealth of NRR (Noise Reduction Ratings) rated products are available through Nelson-Jameson. These devices, such as earplugs and earmuffs bring decibel levels down and reduce the risk of hearing loss. These reductions are key in noisy environments, as louder levels of noise can adversely affect hearing.
Nelson-Jameson can help you select the right hearing protection for your business. Noise levels and needs differ from operation to operation. NJ stocks earplugs and earmuffs made from different materials with different features including the following: metal detectable plugs, disposable plugs, reusable plugs, banded and clip versions of plugs, hard hat model earmuffs, collapsible earmuffs, and many other options from which to choose. Each product is shown with an easy-to-see NRR rating, so you know, if used correctly, how effective each product can be in protecting your employees and yourself.
Get in touch with Carol Blakey, Safety & Personnel Product Manager at 800-826-8302 for more information on finding the right products for your facility or visit our website.
To learn more about NRR ratings, visit our Learning Center.
