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Hearing Conservation Program: Understanding Decibels, Hearing Loss, HPDs and NRR

by with No Comment Hearing ProtectionOSHA / ANSI

Noise is a part of everyday life—especially on industrial job sites—but when does sound become a safety hazard? Understanding how noise affects hearing is essential for protecting workers and complying with OSHA standards. Let’s break down the basics of sound intensity, hearing protection, and what your workplace needs to stay safe and compliant.

What Is a Decibel (dB)?

The decibel (dB) is the unit used to measure the intensity of sound. It’s not a linear scale—every increase of 3 dB actually doubles the amount of sound energy. That means even small increases in dB can have a big impact on your ears.

To give you an idea:

  • 85–95 dB is the threshold of discomfort
  • 120–140 dB is the threshold of pain

How Does Noise Cause Hearing Damage?

Hearing damage isn’t just about volume—it’s also about how long you’re exposed to loud sounds and your personal susceptibility. Still, there’s a clear line: regular exposure to noise above 85 dB can lead to permanent hearing loss.

OSHA’s Noise Exposure Standards

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires employers to implement a Hearing Protection Program (HPP) when noise exposure exceeds 85 dB. Here’s what that includes:

  • Limit exposure to no more than an average of 90 dB over an 8-hour shift
  • For every 5 dB increase in noise, the permissible exposure time is cut in half

To manage that, employers must:

  • Offer at least three styles of hearing protection (e.g., earplugs, earmuffs, custom molds)
  • Use engineering controls to reduce noise at the source
  • Limit time employees spend in high-noise areas
  • Provide annual hearing tests for affected workers

What Is Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)?

The Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) tells you how much sound a hearing protection device (HPD) can block, measured in dB under ideal conditions. For example, if earplugs have an NRR of 32, they can block up to 32 dB of noise in a lab setting.

But real life isn’t a lab. OSHA adjusts for this using the formula:

Adjusted NRR = NRR – 7

So, an NRR of 32 becomes an adjusted NRR of 25 dB—a more realistic estimate of actual protection on the job.

Final Thoughts

Protecting hearing isn’t just about avoiding discomfort—it’s about long-term health, safety, and compliance. By understanding how sound works, recognizing the signs of overexposure, and implementing OSHA-compliant protection programs, employers can help ensure their teams stay safe—and sound—for years to come.

Browse our hearing protection products HERE.

To learn more about types of hearing protection devices, visit our related blog post.  

Are you a visual learner? Watch our webinar on Hearing Conservation HERE.

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Eye Protection: Quick Facts ANSI/OSHA

by with No Comment Eye ProtectionOSHA / ANSI

Every day, 2,000 work-related eye injuries require medical attention in the U.S.* Even more concerning, 16,000 of these injuries result in lost workdays.** The good news? 90% of these injuries could have been prevented with proper eye protection.

How Do Injuries Happen?

Eye injuries occur in various ways, often due to lack of proper protection or non-compliance with safety standards. Common causes include:

Light Exposure – Harmful UV or infrared radiation, as well as excessive glare

Projectiles – Small particles from tools, wind-blown debris, or falling materials.

Liquids & Sprays – Chemicals, bacteria, or other harmful substances.

Dust & Fine Particles – A major risk in construction, demolition, and manufacturing.

Fog – Reduces visibility, increasing overall workplace hazards.

Eye Protection Standards: What You Need to Know

OSHA requires that all eye and face protection comply with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 standards, ensuring adequate protection in hazardous environments. Relevant regulations include:

  • OSHA General Industry Standard – 29 CFR 1910.133
  • OSHA Construction Standard – 29 CFR 1926.102

These standards ensure protective eyewear meets strict impact resistance, coverage, and material requirements.

Minimum Requirements for Safety Eyewear

Optical Clarity: Unobstructed, clear vision without blurriness.

Physical Durability:

  • Must not ignite or corrode.
  • Provides sufficient frontal coverage and impact resistance.

Markings & Labels:

  • Proper ratings, placement, and packaging must be clearly identified.

ANSI Z87.1+ IMPACT TESTS

TYPETESTPASS CRITERIA
HIGH VELOCITYShall resist impact from a 0.25″ steel ball traveling:
Glasses: 150′ /sec
Goggles: 250 / sec
Face shield 300′ / sec		No contact with eye, no piece shall detach from spectacle and lens shall not fracture
HIGH MASSShall resist impact from 17.6 oz projectile dropped from a height of 50″No piece shall detach from spectacle and lens shall not fracture
PENETRATIONShall resist penetration from low mass weighted needle dropped from a heigh of 50″Lens shall not be penetrated
LATERAL COVERAGEImpact rated protectors must offer min amount of coverageExtend ≥ 10mm behind corneal plane ≥ 10mm in heigh above and below horizontal plane no openings > 1.5mm in diameter

Additional ANSI Z87.1+ Ratings

For specialized protection, eyewear may include:

  • D3 Liquid Splash Protection – Shields against liquid splash and droplets.
  • D4 Dust Protection – Prevents dust and debris penetration.
  • Anti-Fog (X) Rating – Reduces fogging for clear visibility.

Protect Your Vision – Choose the Right Eye Protection

Workplace eye injuries are preventable. Ensure compliance with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 standards and invest in the right protective eyewear to maintain safety on the job. To learn more about the specifics of selecting eye protection, read our blog post here.

Browse our eye protection HERE.

*Source: CDC | **2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

painter with a hardhat

ANSI/ISEA Releases New Bump Cap Safety Standard

by with No Comment Head ProtectionOSHA / ANSI

On January 15, 2025, ANSI/ISEA announced a new standard for bump caps, offering much-needed guidance for manufacturers and end-users. Bump caps are widely used in low-risk environments such as food service, transportation, and material handling. This new standard aims to enhance safety and provide clarity on protection levels, ensuring workers have access to reliable head protection.

Why Bump Caps Matter

While bump caps are designed for low-risk environments, “low risk” does not mean “no risk.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), head injuries account for approximately 78,000 incidents requiring at least one day away from work annually in the private sector. Bump caps serve as a critical line of defense against many of these preventable head injuries.

Before this standard, there was no U.S. benchmark for bump cap safety. With the new guidance in place, manufacturers can ensure their products meet consistent safety criteria, and employers can confidently select bump caps that provide appropriate protection for their teams.

The New Standard: Key Highlights

The ANSI/ISEA bump cap standard introduces two classifications, each tested for specific penetration and force transmission levels:

  1. Level 1 Protection:
    • Tested for penetration at the apex.
    • Force transmission equivalent to 7.5 J at a single point on the front and a single point on the back of the crown.
  2. Level 2 Protection:
    • Tested for penetration at the apex.
    • Force transmission equivalent to 12.5 J at two points on the front and two points on the back of the crown.

Key Differences Between Bump Caps and Hard Hats

It’s important to understand how bump caps differ from hard hats:

  • Impact Protection: Hard hats are engineered for high-impact environments, offering protection against falling objects and heavy blows. Bump caps, on the other hand, provide lighter protection suitable for lower-risk scenarios.
  • Comfort: Bump caps are lighter and designed for prolonged wear, making them ideal for jobs where comfort and mobility are key.
  • Applications: While hard hats are necessary for high-risk environments like construction sites, bump caps are best suited for low-risk industries such as food service or transportation.

The Bottom Line

The introduction of this new standard is a significant step forward in workplace safety, providing much-needed guidance for bump cap manufacturing and use. With clear classifications and protection benchmarks, both employers and workers can feel confident in their choice of head protection.

At Safetyvibes, we’re here to help you navigate the latest safety standards and ensure your team has access to the best protective equipment available.

Browse our head protection HERE.

women in construction

OSHA Update: PPE must fit properly

by with No Comment General PPEOSHA / ANSI

On December 11, 2024, OSHA announced a significant update to its PPE standard for the construction industry. The new law emphasizes proper fit, requiring employers to provide a range of PPE sizes to ensure that all workers are adequately protected. This change marks a critical step forward in addressing a longstanding safety concern.

Why Properly Fitting PPE Matters

Ill-fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) has been a persistent issue in the construction industry, posing serious safety risks. These issues disproportionately affect women and workers with smaller or larger body sizes, who often struggle to find appropriately sized PPE on job sites. Here are some of the key dangers:

  • Entanglement in Machinery: Loose PPE can get caught in equipment, leading to severe injuries.
  • Discomfort: PPE that is too tight or too loose often discourages workers from wearing it properly or at all.
  • Reduced Mobility and Dexterity: Oversized gloves, overly tight clothing, or other poorly fitting gear can hinder movement and make tasks more difficult and dangerous.
  • Compromised Protection: Improper seals or gaps in PPE allow hazards such as debris, chemicals, and other harmful substances to come into contact with workers.

OSHA’s Revised Standard

To address these challenges, OSHA has updated 29 CFR Part 1926. The revised language explicitly states that PPE in the construction industry must fit properly. This update brings construction in line with safety standards in other industries and aims to reduce risks by ensuring that all workers have access to properly fitting protective gear.

What This Means for Employers and Safety Managers

Under the updated standard, employers must:

  1. Offer a Range of PPE Sizes: Ensure that PPE is available in sizes that accommodate all workers, including those with particularly smaller or larger body frames.
  2. Conduct Proper Fit Testing: Employers are encouraged to fit-test PPE and solicit feedback from workers to ensure comfort and effectiveness.
  3. Prioritize Worker Safety: By addressing the fit issue, employers can help reduce injuries, improve compliance, and foster a culture of safety.

The Bigger Picture

This update underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the diverse needs of the modern workforce. Poorly fitting PPE is not just an inconvenience; it’s a safety hazard. By providing workers with the right tools for protection, employers can significantly reduce risks and improve overall job site safety.

At Safetyvibes, we’re committed to keeping workers safe by providing high-quality, properly fitting PPE. Browse our PPE tailored for women HERE.

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ANSI vs OSHA

by with No Comment OSHA / ANSI

Every year OSHA releases the top citations they cited. Citation cost companies money and put employees at great risks. Fall Protection is all over this list, and has been at the top of the list for TWELVE YEARS INA ROW! Fall Protection is one of the most important as a fall is one of the highest risk of debilitating injury or death.