Sound protection within a workshop environment is vital for every woodworker. The noise made machinery can damage hearing and prolonged use of noise producing machinery may also cause serious damage long term or lack of concentration short term. What many craftspeople forget is that something as small as ear protection means the world of difference between safe working practice and foolishness. Tempted to spend less money on items such as ear protection, the significance of the different types and qualities of ear protection is overlooked.
*Types of protection.
*Choosing the right kind of protection.
*What do dB levels mean?
*Using protection for short use of tools.
*Working in an environment where communication is vital.
*Examples of what is available on the market.
Types of ear protection.
It's easy for a carpenter to pick up a cheap pair of ear muffs. All the D.I.Y. Stores sell them, but how many people read the labels? Reading these can help you to decide which kind of ear protection is suitable to your use. Machines which you have in your workshop can determine the type you need. The noise levels of different machines are also different, and you need to gage the overall effect of these on your hearing.
To choose the right kind of ear protection, you need to know the kind of sounds being omitted from your machinery. Those ear muffs which protect you from ordinary everyday sounds are insufficient in a workshop environment, simply because they are not sufficiently effective against high frequency sounds produced by machines. Some of the loudest sounds in a workshop come from routers, table saws and power and thickness planers.
Another consideration has to be comfort. How long will you be wearing the protection and does it allow you full movement and flexibility? In a workshop environment, this needs to be taken account of simply because if you are uncomfortable or restricted, chances are you will not sustain wearing the protection for any length of time.
Will it get in the way of other gear worn? Often when working in high dust areas within a workshop environment, you will need to wear goggles or a mask. Can the protection you have chosen be worn in conjunction with other protection? This again is vital, since tempted to do without either the ear protection or other protection, you put yourself at risk.
Look also at the different options and fit. Often these have neck bands which may not be suited to your use. Comfort is paramount.
What does the dB value mean?
The dB value is the measurement of sound levels for which you need protection. The higher the dB value, the more protection is afforded to your ears. Ear defenders with a value of around the 30dB level are the very best for the workshop environment, and mean that you are not just protected from the odd noise, but you also protect yourself from the high frequencies of machinery.
Using protection for short use of tools.
What many carpenters do not realize is the cumulative effect of using tools for short periods of time. One may work with a router for ten minutes and then swap to the table saw. In their shortsightedness, what they do not realize is that all of these sounds accumulate to cause long term damage to hearing. If you can choose protection which is simple and available to you for each of these small jobs, this protects long term and can help you to avoid damage.
Working in an environment where communication is essential.
Good quality ear defenders tackle the problem of communication, as they simply do not block sounds at voice level. In a professional environment, ear defenders may even come fully equipped with a built in microphone but this is rarely needed for home workshops. The best way to test this is to try on the ear defenders within the shop and to listen to people communicating with you. A good quality set of ear defenders will not impair what you hear.
*Examples of what is available on the market.
There are many options available on the Market within this dB range. Sealey ear defenders come in at 30dB and are ideal for the home workshop. They are lightweight and easy to store, making them easily accessible for use. For a better quality set of ear defenders, take a look at the range by Bilsom which have a range scientifically developed to block harmful noise while allowing you to listen to conversation. These are adjustable and have many extra features, while still remaining in the lightweight range. The price difference between these and the Sealey ear defenders makes these a worthwhile alternative.
Protecting your ears is vital. If you are unable to protect them, what can happen is not just long term hearing loss. The loss of concentration in a workshop environment is dangerous and may add more risk than you think. Get into the habit of protecting your ears from harm, and you also take away the risk of noise impeding concentration. It is worth it long and short term, and certainly is not an area that the workshop planner should ignore.