Say this
- Hearing protection is required where you see the blue hearing protection sign. Areas above 85 dB(A) over a shift count as excessive noise (WSH Council HCP guidelines).
- Foam earplugs: roll the plug into a thin tube. Pull the top of your ear up and back. Push the plug in and hold it for 5 to 10 seconds while it expands.
- A good fit sits deep in the canal. If half the plug sticks out, take it out and do it again.
- Earmuffs: the cups must cover your whole ear. Hair, glasses arms and caps break the seal.
- Check the fit by cupping your hands over your ears. If the noise barely changes, the plugs are not sealed.
- Wear protection for the whole time you are in the noise. Taking it off for a few minutes loses much of the protection.
- Throw away dirty or squashed foam plugs. Wash reusable plugs in warm soapy water and let them dry.
Ask the crew
- Where on this site must you wear hearing protection?
- Show me how you fit a foam earplug.
- How can you tell if your earplug is sealed?
- What do you do with a dirty earplug?
Show them
- The roll, pull and hold method using a fresh foam plug.
- The hearing protection signs at the entrances to the noisy areas.
- The earplug dispenser and where spare earmuff cushions are kept.
Sign-off
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
Sources
- WSH Guidelines for Hearing Conservation Programme (2024), WSH Council.
- What is a Hearing Conservation Programme (HCP)?, Ministry of Manpower.
This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Laws and codes of practice change; always check the current official text and your site's own procedures.
