MSASafety 10190356 V-Gard HP Low Medium and High Hearing Protection Owner’s Manual

The Safety Company

Operating Manual
V-Gard HP Low, Medium and High
Hearing Protection

10190356 V-Gard HP Low Medium and High Hearing Protection

DESCRIPTION

These ear muffs are designed to reduce exposure to harmful levels of noise. To ensure you get the best comfort, fit and function out of the product, it is important that you read the instructions carefully and save them for future reference. For further details on noise reduction, refer to Table 1. Make sure you have selected the correct product for your application.
TESTING & APPROVALS
The product meets the Basic Safety Requirements as laid out by regulation (EU) 2016/425 and is CE approved by SGS FIMKO OY, Takomotie 8, 00380 HELSINKI, Finland (Notified body 0598). The production plant of the product is CE approved by APAVE Sudeurope – 17 boulevard Paul Langevin – 38600 FONTAINE FRANCE (Notified body CE 0082). The product meets the requirements of EN 352-3:2002. The product meets the Basic Safety Requirements as laid out by regulation (EU) 2016/425 as brought into UK law and amended and is UKCA approved by SGS United Kingdom Ltd, Rossmore Business Park, Ellesmere Port, South Wirral, Cheshire, CH65 3EN, (Approved body 0120). The production plant of the product is UKCA approved by Product Assessment & Reliability Centre Ltd, Unit 4, Alverdiscott Industrial Estate, Bideford, Devon, EX39 4LQ (Approved body 8509).
MARKING EXPLANATION
– CE 0082: CE mark with four-digit identification number of the European Notified Body APAVE (plant audit).
– UKCA 8509: UKCA mark with four-digit identification number of the UK Approved Body PARC (plant audit).
– IRAM S: Legal mark for Argentina approval.
– CAxxxx: Legal mark for Brazilian approval.
– AS/NZS 1270 SMK40961: Legal mark for Australian and New Zealand approval.
– HIGH / MEDIUM / LOW: Hearing protection version.
The Declaration of Conformity can be found under the following link: https://MSAsafety.com/DoC.

FITTING INSTRUCTIONS

Before following the fitting instructions below, brush excess hair aside and remove any ear jewelry that could affect the acoustic seal. The cushions must form a tight seal against the head. Interference with the seal by an object such as, but not limited to, respirator straps or spectacle arms, can reduce the noise attenuation of the ear muffs. The cups must completely enclose the ears.
A & B: Fitting the cups. Pull the cups down to the lower position and lift the blades until the springs click up (pic. A). Push the attachment blade firmly into the slot on the side of the helmet until it clicks into place (pic. B). C: Working position. Adjust the cups until they are comfortable. Make sure that the cushions seal tightly around the ears.
Note: In noisy environments, the ear-muffs must be worn in the working position at all times.
D: Stand-by position. Pull the ear-muffs away from the ear until they lock into the standby position.
E: Parking position. First, lift the cups to the stand-by position, and then rotate them up to the next fixed position. In this position, the cushions do not get damaged or dirty and the cups can dry out on the inside.
Note: Do not press the cups onto the helmet shell as this will lock the springs in the ear-muff arms, and damage the attachment slots on the side of the helmet.
F: Storage position. When the helmet is not in use, lower the ear muffs and press them inward.

OPERATION / STORAGE TEMPERATURE

-20 °C (4 °F) to +50 °C (122 °F)
STORAGE
When the ear muffs are not in use, store them in such a way that the cushions are not compressed. Keep the ear-muffs dry and clean, store them at normal room temperature, and do not place them in direct sunlight.

MAINTENANCE

Clean and disinfect the cups, cushions and inserts with mild soap and water only. Ear muffs, and in particular cushions, may deteriorate with use. MSA recommends examining ear muffs and cushions at frequent intervals for cracking and leakage, e.g. at the start of every working shift.
HYGIENE KITS
The cushions and inserts are replaceable. Always replace worn or damaged parts (pic. G). Use only hygiene kits from MSA, consisting of one pair of cushions and one pair of inserts. MSA recommends replacing the hygiene kit at least twice a year for standard use to ensure that the noise attenuation performance is maintained. For ordering reference, refer to Table 3. When installing the hygiene kits, ensure that the inserts are fully seated in the cup of the hearing protector before installing the cushion. Ensure that the insert is not pinched between the cushion and the cup of the hearing protector when the cushion is installed.
WARNING!
If the insert is pinched between the cushion and the cup of the hearing protector, the acoustic performance can be affected.
Failure to follow this warning can result in serious injury including but not limited to permanent hearing loss.

LIFE CYCLE AND EXPIRATION DATES

Life cycles of the ear-muffs vary according to the environment and type of work where it is used, as well as correct wear by the user. Environmental climatic conditions and exposure to weather also influence the durability of the protector, e.g. prolonged exposure to sunlight or contaminants present in the environment.
The replacement of the ear muffs as well as cushions and inserts should be made whenever they are deformed, broken, torn, hardened or with a change in their original shape, size, color or softness. The ear-muffs or hygiene kits replacement periodicity must be defined by the employer through analysis considering the kind of activity, processes, work environment, application of use, and conservation.
Product expiration date: 05 years (from manufacturing date, if kept in the package in a clean and dry place)
The life cycle of ear-muffs after opening the package: Variable depending on the application.
MSA recommends replacing the ear-muffs in a maximum period of 3 (three) years, considering the continuous use in an average working day of 8 hours.
COMPATIBILITY FOR HELMET MOUNTED EAR-MUFFS (Table 2)
These helmet-mounted ear-muffs are of ‘small size range’ or ‘large size range’ (depending on the case). EN 352-3:2002 states the following “Helmet mounted ear-muffs complying with EN 352-3:2002 are of ‘medium size range’ or ‘small size range’ or ‘large size range’. ‘Medium size range’ helmet-mounted ear- muffs will fit the majority of wearers. ‘Small size range’ or ‘large size range’ helmet mounted ear-muffs are designed to fit wearers for whom ‘medium size range’ helmet mounted ear-muffs are not suitable”.
For compatibility reason between the helmet and the ear muff, the helmet adapter may have to be changed on the ear muff according to picture I.
These ear-muffs must be fitted to, and used only with, the industrial safety helmets listed in Table 2, which also shows the applicable size range and correct adapter type. Additional helmets may have been approved following the publication of these instructions for use. For further information, contact your distributor.

MATERIALS

WARNING!

• Ensure that the ear-muffs or the ear-muff/safety helmet combination:
  – Are fitted properly and maintained in accordance with these instructions for use,
  – Are worn at all times in noisy surroundings,
  – Are inspected before each use for flexibility of the cushions, serviceability and for achieving a tight seal against the head all around the ears,
  – Are inspected before each use for damage including cracks, tears within the sealing ring.

• Ear muffs with any damage must be removed from service”

• Exposure to low temperatures while in storage or otherwise not in use may affect the acoustic performance of the ear muffs if the foam is not allowed to warm before use. Before entering noisy surroundings, allow sufficient time with the ear muffs on the head or in a room temperature environment for the cushions to warm, regain their flexibility and achieve a tight seal against the head all around the ears.

• Interference with the seal between the ear muffs and head by an object such as, but not limited to, respirator straps or spectacle arms, can reduce the noise attenuation of the ear muffs.

• The fitting of hygiene covers to the cushions may affect the acoustic performance of the ear muffs.

• Not intended for high-temperature applications.

• The ear muffs are made for the intended use only.

• In the event that the ear muffs need to be removed, exit the danger zone first and then remove the ear muffs.

• If the recommendations given are not adhered to, the protection afforded by the ear muffs can be severely impaired.

• Ear muffs must be worn at all times in noisy areas and be fitted prior to entering the noise area.

• Remember that ear-muffs can generally shut out external ambient sounds, such as warning shouts, alarms and other important signals. Therefore, be especially watchful of your surroundings when wearing ear-muffs.

• For noise environments dominated by frequencies below 500 Hz, the C-weighted environmental noise level must be used.

• Improper fit of this device will reduce its effectiveness in attenuating noise.

• This product may be adversely affected by certain chemical substances. For further information, contact the manufacturer.

• An appropriate hearing conservation program must be utilized that includes adequate monitoring and audiometric testing to ensure effective hearing protection. Improper use of the ear muffs or failure to conduct adequate monitoring and testing can result in hearing loss or another serious personal injury.
  Failure to follow these warnings can result in serious injury including but not limited to permanent hearing loss.
  Dispose of the product in accordance with national legislation
  The product is warranted to be free of manufacturing defects for two years from the date of manufacture.

ATTENUATION DATA (Table 1)
The sound attenuation values for the ear muffs are measured in accordance with EN 24869-1. For further information, refer to Table 1. Key: f = Frequencies at which attenuation is measured, Mf = Mean value, sf = Standard deviation, APV (Mf–sf) = Assumed Protection Value H = High-frequency attenuation value (predicted noise level reduction for noise where LC –LA = –2 dB) M = Medium frequency attenuation value (predicted noise level reduction for noise where LC –LA = +2 dB) L = Low-frequency attenuation value (predicted noise level reduction for noise where LC –LA = +10 dB)
SNR = Single Number Rating (the value that is subtracted from the measured C-weighted sound pressure level, LC, in order to estimate the effective A-weighted sound level inside the ear) W = Weight EAR-MUFF SIZES AND HELMET COMBINATIONS (Table 2)
For further information, refer to Table 2. The table shows to which size range each helmet/ear-muff combination is classified. It also shows which ear-muff adapter to use for each helmet. Key: Manufacturer/model = Helmet brand; Adapter Type No = A number found on the backside of the ear-muff adapter, see pic.
H; Size range = Approved size range (S=small; M=medium; L=large); HYGIENE KITS (Table 3) Key: Description = Hygiene kit; Product Number = Item part number
HELMET ADAPTER KITS (Table 4) Key: Description = Helmet adapter kit; Product Number = Item part number PRODUCT MODELS (Table 5)
Key: Description = MSA ear-muffs model; Product Number = Item part number

TABLE 1 – ATTENUATION

High

H = 38 dB, M = 33 dB, L = 26 dB, SNR = dB  W = 377 g
Medium

H = 37 dB, M = 29 dB, L = 22 dB, SNR = 32 dB
W = 312 g
Low

H = 34 dB, M = 25 dB, L = 17 dB, SNR = 28 dB  W = 242 g
TABLE 2 – EAR-MUFF SIZES AND HELMET COMBINATIONS

TABLE 3 – HYGIENE KITS

TABLE 4 – HELMET ADAPTER KITS

TABLE 5 – PRODUCT MODELS

MSA (China) Safety Equipment Co., Ltd.
No. 8 Rui En Lane, Xingpu Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu China 110

TABLE 1 – ATTENUATION
High
Weight: 377 g

Attenuation – AS/NZS 1270:2002  Class 5*

f (Hz)| 125| 250| 500| 1000| 2000| 4000| 8000
Mf (dB)| 21| 22.| 34.| 41| 37.| 383| 36.
sf (dB)| 5| 3.| 4.| 3.| 5.| 5.| 5.
APV (dB)| 16| 19.| 30| 38.| 32.| 33.| 31

• V-Gard, HP, HIGH in combination with MSA V-Gard Helmet. For other helmets, please contact your distributor.
  Clamping force in accordance with clause 3: 10.4 N
  Medium
  Weight: 312 g

**Attenuation – AS/NZS 1270:2002 Class 5***

f (Hz)| 125| 250| 500| 1000| 2000| 4000| 8000
Mf (dB)| 16.| 17.| 28.| 37.| 365| 38.0| 36.
sf (dB)| 6.| 6.| 5.| 5.| 3.| 8.| 8.
APV (dB)| 9.| 12.| 23.| 31.| 33.| 30.| 28.

• V-Gard, HP, MEDIUM in combination with MSA V-Gard Helmet. For other helmets, please contact your distributor.
  Clamping force in accordance with clause 3: 10.4 N
  Low
  Weight: 242 g

Attenuation – AS/NZS 1270:2002 Class 4*

f (Hz)| 125| 250| 500| 1000| 2000| 4000| 8000
Mf (dB)| 12.| 13.| 21.| 29.| 31.0| 35.| 36.0
sf (dB)| 4.| 4.| 5.| 5.| 6.| 6.| 7.
APV (dB)| 8.| 9.| 15.| 24.| 25.| 29.| 29.

• V-Gard, HP, LOW in combination with MSA V-Gard Helmet. For other helmets, please contact your distributor.
  Clamping force in accordance with clause 3: 10.7 N
  TABLE 2 – EAR-MUFF AND HELMET COMBINATIONS

MSA / V-GARD 500-520
MSA / V-GARD 200
MSA / V-GARD 930-950

TABLE 3 – HYGIENE KITS

TABLE 4 – HELMET ADAPTER KITS

TABLE 5 – PRODUCT MODELS

MSA The Safety Company 11 Columbia Way
Norwest Business Park Baulkham Hills NSW 2153
MSA Australia +61 (02) 9688 0333 / 1300 728 672
MSA New Zealand +64 0800 441 335
aus.customerservice@msasafety.com
114
For local MSA contacts, please visit us at MSAsafety.com
10190342/05
PAD10026 Rev05
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References

• MSA Safety | Global
• Cookie Consent - Mine Safety Appliances DAM

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