NOISE AND HEARING PROTECTION TOOLBOX TALK
Reduce high-noise exposure at source and protect hearing.
Noise sources, exposure duration and hearing-protection verification.
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Toolbox Topic
NOISE AND HEARING PROTECTION TOOLBOX TALK
Duration
8–10 minutes
Date
Site / Area
Supervisor
Company
Participants
Document No
OBJECTIVE
Reduce temporary or permanent hearing loss, communication difficulty and secondary incident risks caused by excessive noise exposure.
WHY IT MATTERS
Noise-induced hearing loss often develops gradually and workers may not notice the damage until it becomes permanent.
Grinding, impact work, compressors, generators and heavy equipment are common high-noise sources.
Controls should first reduce noise at source, increase distance and limit exposure duration.
REALISTIC SITE SCENARIO
A worker spent most of the shift near grinding activities without hearing protection.
At the end of the shift the worker experienced ringing in the ears and temporary hearing reduction.
Noise assessment, suitable plugs or earmuffs and controlled exposure duration would have prevented the event.
REMEMBER
Ringing in the ears after work is an important warning sign of excessive noise exposure.
KEY HAZARDS
Prolonged high-noise exposure.
Grinding and impact work.
Compressors and generators.
Mobile equipment and engines.
Failure to hear alarms or communication.
Incorrect hearing-protection selection.
Improper fitting of protection.
Uncontrolled exposure duration.
CONTROLS
Reduce noise at source where practicable.
Isolate or barrier noisy equipment.
Increase distance from the source.
Limit exposure duration.
Select suitable SNR/NRR protection.
Fit earplugs correctly.
Use dual protection where required.
Mark designated hearing-protection areas.
Confirm alarms and communication remain audible.
Replace damaged or unsuitable hearing protection.
SUPERVISOR MESSAGE
Team, hearing protection will be required in high-noise areas today. We will not rely on PPE alone; we will also control the source, distance and exposure duration.
TEAM QUESTIONS
What are today's main noise sources?
Where is hearing protection mandatory?
Is the selected protection rating suitable?
Can alarms still be heard?
How will exposure duration be limited?
What should be done if ringing in the ears occurs?
FIELD VERIFICATION
Noise source identified
Area marked
Protection suitable
Earplugs fitted correctly
Earmuffs intact
Dual protection assessed
Exposure duration controlled
Alarms audible
Communication suitable
Crew briefed
ATTENDANCE AND APPROVAL
Project / Site
Date
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Supervisor Signature
HSE Approval
SERNEM HSE Resource – Permit conditions, risk assessments and site procedures take priority.