scope:

General

Clauses 4 to 7 of this Standard cover performance and testing requirements for personal hearing protection devices. Clauses 8 to 12 cover the selection, care, and use of hearing protection devices as required for an effective hearing conservation program.

Types

The following types of hearing protectors are covered in this Standard: earplugs, earmuffs, communication headsets, and helmets equipped with earmuffs.

Mandatory Language

In this Standard "shall" indicates a mandatory requirement; "should" indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not mandatory; and "may" indicates an advisory or optional statement. Notes accompanying clauses do not include mandatory or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material that is not properly a part of the Standard. Notes to figures and tables are considered part of the figure or table and may be written as mandatory requirements; legends to figures are also considered part of the requirements of the figure.