The Safecontractor Scheme Renewal
ProtectHear® is proud to announce we have renewed our Safecontractor Scheme, this is essential for us to be compliant with the Health and Safety regulations expected in working on customer premises.
Safecontractor is a large private sector health and safety accreditation Scheme in the UK, with more than 30,000 clients the Safecontractor boasts a large portfolio.
Check out more of our accreditations and memberships.
What is an SNR level?
A Single Number Rating (SNR) is a specification used to determine protection levels given by all hearing protection and provides an easy reference to compare the different types of hearing protection. The higher the SNR level the more protection the product gives in a noisy environment. It is commonly thought that 29 SNR would protect by 29dB, but this isn’t accurate. Protection levels can be found out by comparing the Octave Band Analysis (noise testing) of your environment, against the octave band table provided by all hearing protection. The SNR protection is dependent on the level of frequency.
All companies must provide hearing protection as an option when the noise level is on average 80dB, with a noise level of 85dB being the action level where hearing protection is made mandatory. Companies must also ensure they are not over-protecting employees; protectors should not attenuate to a level below 70dB. This is to guarantee employees can still communicate and hear warning signals.
We offer 4 filters for our ProtectHear® product being 14, 23, 29 and 31 SNR. This is to give customers more options when your environment is either just above the action level or at the top level. For example the 14 SNR would be for noise levels at the action level therefore not over-protecting. Whereas the 31 SNR would be used at around 95dB level, again being dependant on your noise survey with both examples. Our ProtectHear® attenuates noises to a safe level, meaning our ear plugs can be worn all day without having to take out for conversations.
Follow the text for more information on noise at work.
ProtectHear® Trial Pack
Our ‘Try Before you Buy’ is very popular amongst new customers, as you can experience the benefits of our products. You can have between 3-10 people on a trial for up to an 8 week period. With the option at the conclusion of the trial being either payment for the trial pairs and keeping the ProtectHear® ear plugs or returning with no cost incurred. You can trial communication accessories as well with the same terms.
We have developed a Trial Pack with all the information customers require, such as a coordinator letter and a trial guide for users. The trial letter has useful information regarding our company, trial instructions and how we will help throughout the process. The trial guide has instructions on how to use the ear plugs, FAQs and feedback sheets. This includes the option of a toolbox talk, where we come onto site and explain how the ear plugs work, how to fit them and the benefits.
This pack is designed to ensure the trial runs smoothly for you the customer, giving the upmost confidence in the trial and product. After the trial as a new customer you have our continued support with our product, education and service.
To find out more about the ‘Try Before you Buy’ click here.
What is over protecting?
Protecting yourself from harmful sounds is very important, to avoid loss of hearing and deafness. But over protecting is something that needs to be considered in relation to noise levels within your working area. Over protecting can lead to isolation, difficulty in communicating and not being able to hear warnings and signals. This may lead to employees removing hearing protection to communicate and then not being protected.
The HSE advises that you should not reduce the level of noise with ear plugs to 70dB, as this is seen as over protecting. ProtectHear® offers you the appropriate protection levels, whilst being aware of your surroundings. This gives you the ability to keep your hearing protection fitted at all times.
We offer a range of SNR levels such as 14, 23, 29 and 31. For example, if you’re just above the action level at 85dB then the 14 SNR would be the best option, as the 23 would over protect. Our most popular option is the 29 SNR with customers such as Network Rail, British Steel and Phillips 66. The 31 SNR is a solid version that blocks out the noise. The level of protection can be dependent on whether it’s a low frequency working area, you should always refer on to your Octave band analysis noise survey.
The HSE has an article on overprotecting you can browse through.
SpeakHear® Communication systems
SpeakHear® communication accessories are adaptable with ProtectHear® custom ear plugs. Allowing users to hardwire systems from radios to ear plugs, offering a wide range of radios such as Kenwood, Motorla, Hytera etc.
We are specialists in providing your company with the correct systems, which we also offer to trial alongside our ‘Try Before you Buy’ for the ear plugs. ProtectHear® provides accessories which suit your environment and find them within budget. Here are some of the features on SpeakHear®:
To speak to a member of our team and find out more contact us.
Environmentally friendly ear plugs
ProtectHear® ear plugs are designed to custom fit each user, moulded from the ear impressions taken and manufactured in a soft hypoallergenic silicone (which is a toxicologically inert material). ProtectHear® aims to educate users and provide a product that is more personal to the user than throwaway disposables. Our ear plugs enable users to have them fitted whilst being able to hear the surrounding environment.
ProtectHear® significantly cuts down the number of disposables used a day (approximately 3 or 4 for each user) down to just one, over a 5 year lifespan. ProtectHear® has a strong commitment to protecting the environment as illustrated by the landfill reduction in comparison to disposables. As you can see in the obelisk in the foreground of the picture below, this is how many disposable ear plugs on average 1 person uses in the workplace, over a 5 year period!
This is a product that is aimed at preventing Noise Induced Hearing Loss Claims in the workplace, giving users full protection and awareness. Studies from The HSE in the Real world use and performance of hearing protection actually show that only 60% of people actually wear disposables correctly.
We can offer talks on education to organisations.
