PPE performance: 5dB - 10dB protection is much more likely than 20dB - 30dB
This calculator is based on research into the factors that affect the attenuation provided by PPE as used in the real-world. You really need to know what protection employees are likely to be achieving from their PPE, be it earmuffs or earplugs.
It will be only a small fraction of the assumed protection provided by the supplier.
Enter a few data elements into the calculator and it provides you with:
- an estimate of the worst-case real-world attenuation for the users
- the estimated total PPE expenditure cost per annum
- the estimated waste produced per annum
- evaluation of the effects of changing PPE performance factors
- links to PPE performance related resources
Combining this information allows you to calculate the Return on Investment (RoI) for your PPE use. It also allows you to explore "What if" calculations to improve PPE performance. Contact us to evaluate if there are simple options to cut risk dramatically using modern low-cost engineering methods (a 3dB cut halves the risk even if PPE is still required).
Note: you will need an up-to-date version of Excel to use the calculator.
Browser displaying instead of downloading: Chrome
If using a browser that automatically opens the spreadsheet in the browser in compatibility mode, follow these instructions (Chrome).
- Right click the "PPE_calc" button at the bottom right of the displayed file in the browser
- Select "Save as..."
- Select your save location
Browser displaying instead of downloading: Microsoft Edge
Just click the blue "Download file" button
