Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last line of defence. It protects you when a hazard cannot be removed in any other way. Noise is an example of a hazard that harms slowly and goes unnoticed for a long time.
Rules on PPE
- The employer provides PPE free of charge, as well as work clothing and footwear, if the kind of work requires it. The employer sets the rules for issuing, using and maintaining them.
- PPE must be matched to the hazard and to the person: size, weight and comfort affect whether you will wear it.
- PPE placed on the market must meet the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and bear the CE mark.
- You must use the PPE issued to you and look after it.
- The employer provides washing, maintenance, repair, dust removal and decontamination of PPE and of work clothing and footwear (Article 237⁹ § 2 of the Labour Code).
Types of PPE
- Head: a hard hat or helmet protects against falling objects and knocks.
- Eyes and face: glasses, goggles or a face shield protect against flying fragments, dust and chemicals.
- Hearing: earmuffs or earplugs.
- Respiratory system: masks and half-masks with a filter chosen for the hazard (dust, gas, vapours).
- Hands: gloves chosen for the task. Some protect against cuts, others against chemicals.
- Feet: safety footwear with a toe cap and a non-slip sole.
- Falls from height: a safety harness with a lanyard and an anchor point.
Before you put on PPE
- Check its condition: cracks, holes, worn filters, damaged straps.
- Adjust it to fit you.
- If it is damaged, do not work in it, but report that it needs replacing.
PPE does not replace guards or good work organisation.
Noise at work
Noise can cause permanent hearing damage, as well as fatigue and stress. The regulations set the maximum admissible intensity (NDN) of noise in the working environment:
- 85 dB for the equivalent A-weighted sound level referred to an 8-hour working day or working week,
- 115 dB for the maximum A-weighted sound level,
- 135 dB for the peak C-weighted sound level.
The admissible values are set by the regulation of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy of 12 June 2018 on maximum admissible concentrations and intensities of agents harmful to health in the working environment.
What the employer does and what you do
The employer first reduces noise at the source: chooses quieter machines, uses enclosures and silencers, changes work organisation. When this is not enough, the employer provides hearing protectors.
You:
- wear the protectors the whole time you are in noise. Taking them off even briefly greatly reduces the protection,
- fit the protectors so that they seal tightly,
- report any worsening of hearing, ringing in the ears or difficulty understanding speech,
- follow the mandatory signs.
Key points
- The employer provides PPE, free of charge. You use it and check its condition.
- The hazard is reduced at the source first, and PPE is worn when that is not enough.
- NDN for noise: 85 dB (8 hours), 115 dB (max. A), 135 dB (peak C).