• Hearing Protectors - Selection and Use of - Oct 2003 pdf [size: 89KB]
• Hearing Protectors - Classified - Updated Dec 2011 or pdf [size: 1.33MB]
  • Please note: This list will be gradually added to as test details on hearing protection devices are summitted by suppliers
• Hearing Protectors - Graded - Nov 2001 ARCHIVE pdf [size: 83KB]

Explanatory Notes: Selection and Use of Hearing Protectors

Background – Change of System

The Archived List of Graded Hearing Protectors was produced as part of the Noise Resource Kit in 1996. This list included hearing protectors previously approved by the Director General of Health. Although many of the devices on the list can no longer be purchased, people may still have serviceable hearing protectors which comply with these previous provisions. With the publication of AS/NZS1269: 1998 Occupational Noise Management parts 0 to 4 and the opportunity to use the internet for the distribution of information, a change to the system of the recognition of hearing protectors was necessary.

AS/NZS Standards on Occupational Noise

A series of standards have been published which cover Occupational Noise Management. They are:

AS/NZS 1269.0:2005 Overview
AS/NZS 1269.1:2005 Measurement and assessment of noise immission and exposure
AS/NZS 1269.2:2005 Noise control management
AS/NZS 1269.3:2005 Hearing protector program
AS/NZS 1269.4:2005 Auditory assessment
AS/NZS 1270:2002 Acoustics - Hearing Protectors

The Department of Labour was represented on the expert committee responsible for their production, and the Standards should be accepted as the Australian and New Zealand consensus view of the management of noise in the workplace.

Because the subject matter is highly technical and there is a time difference between the publication of the Approved Code of Practice on the Management of Noise in the Workplace and this series of standards, there may be some minor differences between the standards and the Code.

AS/NZS 1270:2002 specifies the method for the subjective measurement of the real-ear attenuation of hearing protectors to determine the attenuation characteristics of those hearing protectors. This standard aligns closely to the corresponding technical provisions of ISO 4869-1:1990 Acoustics--Hearing protectors, Part 1: Subjective method for the measurement of sound attenuation.

Hearing Protector Ratings

With the introduction of the AS/NZS 1269 and 1270 standards, a new method of rating has been established.

Until the publication of AS/NZS 1270:1999, hearing protectors were graded under a process devised and operated originally by the former Department of Health. This grading related the attenuation capabilities of the device to the average noise level in the workplace.

The current process, introduced by the AS/NZS 1269 and ther revised 1270 series, has been developed to more closely mimic the performance of the protector in the hands of an informed user in the workplace. These devices are allocated a Class rating. Graded protectors were still used up to 1 July 2003.

Manufacturers, importers and suppliers to test to AS/NZS 1270: 2002

This testing will confirm that the hearing protector is likely to give adequate protection from the harmful effects of the noise exposed to, when worn correctly as a part of a comprehensive hearing protector programme. Regulations 68 and 69 of the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995 apply in this situation, and it is the Department's view that all hearing protectors should be tested and marketed in accordance with those regulations. This process allows an employer to be satisfied they are taking "all practicable steps" under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 to ensure the safety of employees from the harmful effects of noise.

All suppliers are invited to produce evidence to the Department that their hearing protector(s) have been tested in accordance with AS/NZS 1270, and given a Class rating as provided for in AS/NZS 1269.3. This evidence will be in the form of a certificate from an accredited laboratory. This should also include the requirement to have specific information on the packaging. On this basis, the Department will then place the hearing protector on the Classified Hearing Protectors list available on the internet and update as required.

If an employer, employee, or a Departmental officer is required to check on the status of a particular hearing protector, they will be able to refer to this published list to match the class of an acceptable hearing protector to the average noise climate of the workplace.

Summary

The classified list of tested hearing protectors that have been tested to the new standard will be placed on the internet and updated from the information provided by suppliers who have had their devices tested in accordance with AS/NZS 1270.

As hearing protectors are tested to the Standard they will be included in the Classified list on the Internet. No further additions will be made to the Grade list.

Should you encounter a classified (rather than a graded) hearing protector which is not featured on the classified list enquiries can be made to the Department of Labour Head Office who will be able to report on the current status of the device. (Note there may be a time lag between supplier's application and the actual listing)

Conclusion

Comprehensive information is available on the website and an updated list of classified hearing protectors is available for the guidance of workers and other users as they are tested and the information is sent to the Department.