SafeTips
Hearing Protection

• Whether noise damages your hearing depends on three things: how loud it is, how long you are exposed, and how close you are to the source.
• As a rule of thumb, if you have to raise your voice when talking to someone a couple feet away, the noise is above the trigger level for wearing PPE.
• The type of hearing protection you may be required to wear depends on the type of noise hazards. The most common types are earplugs, canal caps, and earmuff cups.
• Wash your hands before inserting earplugs.
• Learn how to use the various types of soft and preformed earplugs. In general, you pull the ear up and back before inserting the plug.
• Wash reusable earplugs every day, and dry them before you store them.
• Replace them when they are worn or don't seem to fit.

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