Sound Measuring System helps tackle workplace hearing loss.February 26, 2009 -
Designed to prevent workers from suffering hearing loss in food manufacturing industry, Optime Alert System is deployed at employee's work station to indicate average noise level in that area. Color coding system enables safety officers to choose appropriate hearing protection option, which helps to comply with Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
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Original Press release
3M
3M Corporate Headquarters, 3M Center
St. Paul, MN, 55144
USA
3M Helps Tackle Workplace Hearing Loss
3M, the diversified technology company, develops hearing products specifically aimed at the food manufacturing industry, to try and help prevent workers suffering from workplace hearing loss.
Hearing loss caused by exposure to noise at work continues to be a significant occupational disease. Some 170,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work(1).
During a typical year, almost five per cent of food manufacture workers suffer from ill health caused by or made worse by work, more than twice the number suffering from a reportable injury at work(2). Hearing loss is one of the main causes of ill health and regulations state that workers must be provided with hearing protection on request when noise levels reach or exceed 80db(A). It is compulsory when levels reach 85db(A).
Some typical noise levels associated with common tasks in the food industry include:
o Wrapping, cutting wrap, bagging, etc.: 85-95dB(A)
o Milling operations: 85-100dB(A)
o Blast chillers/freezers: 85-107dB(A)
o Packaging machinery: 85-95dB(A)
o Product impact on hoppers: 90-100dB(A)
3M recently launched the Optime Alert System, which is a portable sound measuring system that helps customers select the appropriate type of hearing protective equipment for use in particular areas. The meter is deployed at an employee's work station and indicates the average noise level in that area and the type of protection likely to be required. A colour coding system enables safety officers to choose the appropriate hearing protection option quickly and easily. This helps compliance with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
If all food manufacturers complied with these regulations a significant reduction in occupational noise-induced hearing loss would result. Although occupational noise-induced hearing loss is a totally preventable condition, once the damage has been done there is no way of reversing the effects.
The most efficient and effective way of controlling noise is by protecting workers at source, e.g. changes in process, damping vibration and reducing time spent in noisy areas. If these preventative measures have been carried out but noise is still a problem then selecting the right hearing protection is critical.
3M has a range of hearing protection designed specifically for the food industry, which are hygenic, metal detectable and can be readily cleaned.
The E-A-Rsoft Metal Detectable disposable plug, for example, offers optimum comfort due to its soft, smooth construction, coupled with maximum protection for high noise environments. Added benefits for the food industry include it being non-food blue and containing a blue metal detectable cord and an integral stainless steel ball.
Two reusable ear plugs complete the range of plugs ideal for food manufacturing industry. Tracers offer a convenient option as they simply insert into the ear and fit most ear canals comfortably. They also incorporate an easy to see, fully metalised non food blue vinyl cord. The newest addition to the range is the Tracer 20, which is ideal for lower noise levels (83 dB(A) - 93 dB(A)) as it offers an attenuation of SNR 20dB.
3M is one of the world's leading suppliers of Personal Protective Equipment: from powered respirators with integrated head and face protection, to coveralls, eyewear, disposable respirators and ear plugs. The range includes leading brand names of PELTOR and E.A.R. The equipment is designed with safety and comfort in mind and is backed by 3M's unrivalled technical and product support.
For a free sample of the earplugs featured above and to enter a competition to win an Optime Alert System visit www.3M.co.uk/cleverthinkingatwork
For more information, please call the 3M Health and Safety Helpline on 0870 60 800 60 (UK) or 1 800 320 500 (Ireland) or email ohes.helpline.uk@mmm.com.
EAR, Optime and Peltor are trademarks of 3M Company
(1) HSE
(2) HSE
3M - practical and ingenious solutions that help our customers succeed
3M is a $25.3 billion diversified technology company which, since 1902, has been creating innovative products that help make the world healthier, safer and more productive. Well known 3M brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate and Scotch-Brite.
3M employs some 75,000 people worldwide, producing thousands of innovative products for customers in dozens of diverse markets in 200 countries. Its 45 technology platforms touch nearly every aspect of modern life - the company has applied its expertise in RFID technology to deliver biometric passports; it is using its understanding of the healthcare industry to provide hospitals with infection prevention and detection solutions; and in 2008 it launched the world's first hand-held micro projector, the MPro110.
The UK and Ireland is home to one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the USA, employing more than 3,500 people across 16 locations, including 12 manufacturing sites.
Products manufactured in the UK include coated abrasives, occupational health and environmental safety equipment, adhesive tapes, industrial microbiology products, drug delivery systems, high-performance coatings, secure documents and passport scanners.
www.3M.co.uk/cleverthinkingatwork
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