AS/NZS 1269.3:1998

1 - AS/NZS 1269.3:1998 OCCUPATIONAL NOISE MANAGEMENT - HEARING PROTECTOR PROGRAM
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
6 - 1 SCOPE
6 - 2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
6 - 3 DEFINITIONS
6 - 3.1 Care
6 - 3.2 Criterion eight-hour equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level ...
6 - 3.3 Criterion peak sound pressure level ...
7 - 3.4 Effective level (of a sound for people wearing hearing protectors) L (eff)
7 - 3.5 Maintenance
7 - 3.6 Over-protection
7 - 3.7 Selection
7 - 3.8 Use
7 - 4 MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
8 - 5 HEARING PROTECTORS
8 - 5.1 General
8 - 5.2 Types of hearing protectors
8 - 5.2.1 Earmuffs
8 - 5.2.2 Earplugs
8 - 5.2.3 Ear canal caps
9 - 5.2.4 Acoustic helmets
9 - 5.2.5 Special types of hearing protectors
9 - 6 SELECTION OF HEARING PROTECTORS
9 - 6.1 Compliance of hearing protectors
9 - 6.1.1 General
9 - 6.1.2 Attenuation values
9 - 6.1.3 Test reports
9 - 6.2 Attenuation requirement
9 - 6.2.1 General
10 - 6.2.2 Over-protection
10 - 6.2.3 Importance of wearing time
10 - 6.2.4 Inadequate attenuation
10 - 6.2.5 Earplugs and earmuffs worn in combination
12 - 6.3 Comfort
12 - 6.4 Communication requirements
12 - 6.5 Compatibility with job requirements
12 - 6.6 Compatibility with the workplace
12 - 6.7 Compatibility with personal characteristics
12 - 6.7.1 General
12 - 6.7.2 Medical factors
13 - 7 ISSUE AND FITTING OF HEARING PROTECTORS
13 - 7.1 Issue of hearing protectors
13 - 7.2 Fitting of hearing protectors
13 - 7.2.1 General
13 - 7.2.2 Fitting procedures
13 - 8 CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
13 - 8.1 General
14 - 8.2 Cleaning
14 - 8.2.1 General
14 - 8.2.2 Re-usable earplugs and ear canal caps
14 - 8.2.3 Earmuffs
14 - 8.2.4 Electronic/communications equipment
14 - 8.3 Storage
15 - 8.4 Maintenance
15 - 9 INSPECTION FOR DEFECTS
15 - 9.1 General
15 - 9.2 Inspection schedules
15 - 9.3 Inspection considerations
15 - 10 HEARING PROTECTOR AREAS
15 - 10.1 Identification of excessive noise areas
15 - 10.2 Entry into excessive noise areas
15 - 10.3 Use of excessively noisy equipment
15 - 10.4 Correct use of hearing protectors
16 - 11 ENSURING THE CONTINUED EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEARING PROTECTOR PROGRAM
17 - 12 TRAINING IN THE USE OF HEARING PROTECTORS
17 - 12.1 General
17 - 12.2 The educational program
17 - 12.2.1 General
17 - 12.2.2 Substance
17 - 12.2.3 Training methods
18 - 13 AUDIOMETRY AND THE PURPOSE OF AUDIOMETRIC TEST RESULTS
19 - APPENDIX A - METHODS OF SELECTING A HEARING PROTECTOR WHEN ...
19 - A1 SCOPE
19 - A2 SELECTION RULES
19 - A2.1 Classification method
19 - A2.2 Octave-band method
19 - A2.3 Other selection procedures
19 - A3 SELECTION METHODS
19 - A3.1 Classification method
20 - A3.2 Octave-band method
23 - APPENDIX B - METHOD FOR SELECTING A HEARING PROTECTOR WHEN ...
23 - B1 GENERAL
23 - B2 SELECTION RULES
23 - B2.1 Impulse noise from impacts and small-calibre weapons and tools
23 - B2.2 Impulse noise from large-calibre weapons and blasting
24 - APPENDIX C - HEADBAND CLAMP FORCE COMPARISON
24 - C1 GENERAL
24 - C2 CONSTRUCTION
25 - APPENDIX D - TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THE SELECTION, USE AND MAINTENANCE OF HEARING PROTECTORS
25 - D1 OUTLINE
25 - D2 FORMAT
25 - D3 INSTRUCTIONS TO TRAINEES
26 - D4 GUIDE FOR THE SELECTION, USE AND MAINTENANCE OF HEARING PROTECTORS
26 - D4.1 Brief overview of noise, hearing and program
26 - D4.2 Reasons for wearing hearing protectors
26 - D4.3 Selection of hearing protectors
26 - D4.4 Use and proper fitting of hearing protectors
26 - D4.5 Wear time
27 - D4.6 Maintenance and storage
27 - D4.7 Summary
28 - APPENDIX E - DESCRIPTION OF THE CLASSIFICATION METHOD FOR SELECTION OF HEARING PROTECTORS

Provides guidance on the administritive responsibilities associated with a hearing protector program, encourages the use of effective criteria in the selection, use and maintenance of various types of hearing protectors and gives information on training and motivation programs in hearing protection.

This Standard specifies- (a) the administrative responsibilities associated with a hearing protector program; (b) the selection, use and maintenance of various types of hearing protectors; and (c) training and motivation in regard to hearing protector programs. It excludes the setting of occupational noise criteria. Such criteria are set by regulations or organizational policy, not by Standards Australia or Standards New Zealand. Exposure standards may be found in the occupational health and safety or related regulations that are applicable for the workplace under assessment. Criteria lower than these exposure standards may be set by the organization's noise policy.

First published in Australia as part of AS 1269-1976.
Second edition 1979.
Third edition 1983.
Fourth edition 1989.
Jointly revised and redesignated AS/NZS 1269.3:1998.