Hearing protection poster

Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and builds up without pain. This poster gives the simple test NIOSH suggests (if you have to raise your voice to talk to someone an arm's length away, the noise is probably hazardous), the 85 dBA eight-hour average at which OSHA requires a hearing conservation program, and the three steps NIOSH teaches for fitting a foam earplug: roll it, pull the ear, hold it in place while it expands.

Download the poster

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Hearing protection poster — 24 x 36 in18 x 24 inA2A3LetterA4PNG 300 dpi

The words on the poster

Protect your hearing

Hearing loss from noise is permanent, and it doesn't hurt while it happens.

It's too loud if

You have to raise your voice to talk to someone an arm's length away.
Your ears ring, or sound seems muffled, after work.
It averages 85 dBA or more over 8 hours: the OSHA action level.

Fitting a foam earplug

Roll Roll the plug into a thin, crease-free cylinder.
Pull Reach over your head and pull the top of your ear up and back.
Hold Push it in and hold it while it expands.

Wear it all the time you're in the noise. Earmuffs: no hair, hats or glasses arms under the seal.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95. NIOSH noise guidance and roll, pull, hold.

On the floor

How to use it

Putting the Hearing protection poster to work

1
Post it at the entrance to noisy areas and next to earplug dispensers.
2
Show the roll, pull, hold steps at induction with real earplugs.
3
Check fit at the floor: a well-fitted plug barely shows from the front.
4
Pair it with your noise survey results and the free noise dose calculator.

Where the poster goes and how to teach with it, in the order to try them.

Which size to print

24 x 36 in or A2: a main wall or team board, read from a few metres away.
18 x 24 in or A3: a station or notice board. The A3 file also fits 11 x 17 in paper.
Letter or A4: a clipboard, binder or handout, on any office printer.

Every PDF is vector, so it stays sharp at full size. Nothing runs to the edge of the page, so no bleed is needed.