Safety tip of the week: hearing protection when grinding, sawing and breaking

An angle grinder, a circular saw or a breaker: many renovation jobs make a lot of noise. Noise-induced hearing damage builds up gradually and does not go away. In this week's safety tip, you'll find out when hearing protection is needed, which type suits your job and how to wear it properly.

When is noise too loud for your ears?

Noise becomes harmful from 80 dB(A). The rule of thumb: if you have to raise your voice to understand someone 1 metre away, the noise is probably louder than 80 dB(A).

The louder the noise, the faster it causes damage. At 80 dB(A) you risk hearing damage after 8 hours a day, at 83 dB(A) after just 4 hours and at 95 dB(A) after a quarter of an hour. Hear a beep or ringing in your ears after work, or does everything sound muffled? Then the noise was too loud.

What do the Dutch rules say about hearing protection?

The Dutch Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit) sets these rules for employers and employees:

• Above a daily exposure of 80 dB(A), the employer must provide suitable hearing protection.
• From 85 dB(A), wearing it is mandatory. These workplaces must be clearly marked.
• With hearing protection on, exposure must never exceed 87 dB(A).

Hearing protection is the last step: the employer first tries to reduce the noise at the source, for example with a quieter machine or a different working method. Employees who work in noise are also entitled to regular hearing tests. Doing a job at home? The same 80 dB(A) limit applies to your ears.

Which hearing protection suits your job?

• Earplugs are worn in the ear canal. Roll foam plugs thin, then insert them; they expand and seal the ear canal. One example is the PLUG earplugs from STALCO, made of soft, self-moulding foam.
• Earmuffs go over your ears like headphones. They are quick to put on and take off, which is handy for an occasional noisy job. Consider the lightweight ARION earmuffs from STALCO, designed for jobs including minor renovation and construction work. Wearing a safety helmet? There are earmuffs for helmet mounting, such as the THOR D earmuffs from STALCO PERFECT.
• Custom ear moulds are earplugs made to fit your ear canal. They are comfortable to wear and can have a filter, so you can still hear colleagues and warning signals.

The packaging shows how much a hearing protector attenuates, often as an SNR value measured in a laboratory. In practice, the attenuation is often lower, usually because the protection does not fit properly. Don't automatically choose the highest value: too much attenuation makes warning signals and colleagues hard to hear. Check for the CE marking and the EN 352 standard too.

How do you wear hearing protection properly?

• Put on hearing protection before switching on the machine and keep it on while the noise lasts.
• Insert earplugs with clean hands and replace them regularly.
• Check that earplugs stay in place: they can work loose during long wear.
• Check that the seals of your earmuffs are intact. Damaged seals let noise through.
• Watch out for glasses arms or other protective equipment under the seal: the earmuff will not seal as well.
• Clamp the workpiece so it does not vibrate, and leave guards and silencers on your tools.
• Store your hearing protection clean and free of dust.

💡 Tip: earmuffs hanging around your neck protect nothing. Keep a few earplugs in your toolbox or jacket pocket at all times. It is precisely with noise that lasts "only a moment" that many people skip protection.

Grinding and breaking also release dust and particles, so wear eye protection as well and, where needed, respiratory protection. More tips are in our guide to safe working on the construction site.

What do DIYers often ask about hearing protection?

Can I wear earplugs and earmuffs at the same time?

Yes, but don't add up the attenuation. Sound also reaches your ear through the skull, so the total attenuation is always less than the two values combined.

Can hearing damage be repaired?

No. Noise-induced hearing loss does not go away. If your hearing is already damaged, keep protecting it to prevent further loss.

Do I need hearing protection for short jobs too?

Yes. Even if you only work in noise for part of the day, your hearing can be damaged.

Where can you find the right hearing protection?

Saniso, the online DIY store for building and renovating, helps you work safely.

• View our hearing protection for every job.
• Also find workwear and personal protective equipment and power tools.
• Not sure which hearing protection suits your job? Contact us.

Saniso – Build your home with Saniso.