Solar Lattice

Tool

Hearing protection

ID
tool:hearing-protection
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/tool/hearing-protection
Status
active
Also known as
ear protection, earplugs, ear canal inserts, noise protection PPE, acoustic protection devices
Category
PPE
Tool kind
ppe

Hearing protection is personal protective equipment that keeps noise from damaging the wearer's hearing. Some central inverters run with high-frequency noise that can damage hearing, so their manuals tell you to wear hearing protection when you work on them. Inverter manuals and labels mark this with a safety symbol, for example an earplug pictogram or a sign telling you to use noise protection PPE. Battery storage install procedures also list hearing protection, including in the arc-flash PPE category 3 kit. The NABCEP guide says hearing protection must be worn when 8-hour time-weighted noise exposure goes above 90 dBA. It names 85 dBA as the action level and says levels above 115 dBA need controls for any length of exposure. The options are earmuffs, disposable or reusable earplugs, and hearing bands. Every approved protector carries a Noise Reduction Rating in decibels. PPE is the last line of control, so inspect it every day and keep it clean and in reliable condition.

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Claims

subclass_of

c1 verified · fact Personal protective equipment proposed

Equipment manuals call it noise protection PPE, and the NABCEP guide covers it in its PPE section.

verified by: review-workflowverified on: 2026-10-24

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