6-Point Checklist for Your Workplace's Protective Communication Solution

At many types of job sites, hearing protection is necessary for the safety of workers—and just as critical is specific noise detection and effective communication. It's a common assumption that in order for hearing protection to work, it must completely eliminate all sound. But the truth is that some sounds, including dialogue among workers, are often critical to hazard prevention and workflow. So, how do you provide suitable noise protection while simultaneously allowing individuals to hear important sounds on the job and enabling communication?

It's all about leveraging a protective communication solution that meets the varied needs of your operation and workers. With that in mind, we're providing this six-point checklist to help ensure the product you choose features all the crucial components of a highly effective solution, like the all-new 3M™ PELTOR™ PIC-100 Headset, which introduces multiple innovative technologies to help workers stay protected and productive.

1. Hearing Protection with On-Demand Fit Test

With any hearing protection solution, it's paramount for users to be able to obtain their current personal protection level, ensuring they have appropriate protection for their hazardous noise environment. The offering should be compatible with a number of different eartip styles and sizes, so users can choose the eartips that they prefer and that provide the most adequate protection for the job.

With the 3M™ PELTOR™ PIC-100 Headset, on-demand fit-test functionality is managed easily by the push of a button. For maximum fit, comfort, protection and compliance, the solution features:

  • Replaceable eartips in multiple types and sizes
  • An on-demand fit test to assess the wearer's current personal protection level, with access to a binaural personal attenuation rating (PAR) at the push of a button
  • A field attenuation estimation system (FAES) in compliance with ANSI/ASA S12.71-2018

2. Environmental Listening Capabilities

Again, not every situation that warrants hearing protection is best served by a solution that blocks ALL noise. In lots of scenarios, workers must be able to communicate face-to-face, in low or intermittent noise, and to hear environmental sounds at safe levels without being tempted to remove or poorly fit their hearing protection. In these cases, the protective communication solution should integrate environmental listening technology.

This is an important component of the 3M™ PELTOR™ PIC-100 Headset, which features environmental microphones that compress sound down to below ≈ 82 dBA. The volume levels are adjustable, and the environmental listening technology helps users communicate in lower noise environments while remaining protected.

3. Bluetooth® Technology

Bluetooth® wireless communication technology is incredibly valuable for connection to smart devices and two-way radios. You want to opt for a protective communication solution that leverages Bluetooth® multipoint technology for simultaneous, wireless connection to devices.

With the 3M™ PELTOR™ PIC-100 Headset, users can access added long-range communication capability simply by connecting to Bluetooth®-enabled smart phones, tablets or two-way radios.

And with the convenience and functionality of the 3MTM Connected Equipment App, users can easily navigate the headset's menu and make adjustments. The app also provides ready access to user instructions, FAQs, instructional videos and tech support contacts, in addition to enabling over-the-air firmware updates.

4. Close-Connect Wireless Technology for Team Communication

Does the solution you're considering allow multiple people to speak simultaneously, headset to headset, enabling communication in a variety of noisy environments when workers are in close proximity? Do the headsets automatically connect with one another as they come into range without any need for pairing? Does Voice Operated Transmission (VOX) enable users to seamlessly communicate, hands-free, without the touch of a button? These are elements that streamline critical communication in noisy settings.

The PIC-100 Headset features 3M's innovative close-connect wireless technology that allows for considerable capabilities, including:

  • Six separate channels, enabling multiple groups to operate independently without interference
  • LED channel indication
  • Configurable listening/talking options, with the ability to double press to change settings between VOX (voice activated transmission) and PTT (push-to–talk activated transmission)
  • No need for pairing, as all PIC-100 headsets automatically connect to each other when in range

5. In-Ear Communication Microphones

If your protective communication solution requires a boom microphone near the mouth to detect speech, it could compromise compatibility with a wide range of personal protective equipment, like respirators. That's why it's smart to opt for a headset that features an in-ear speech microphone.

With the inclusion of this important feature, the 3M™ PELTOR™ PIC-100 is able to provide the following advantages:

  • In-ear speech microphones in the earplugs pick up voice, eliminating the need for a traditional boom microphone
  • On-demand fit test helps assess the wearer's current personal protection level and promote speech clarity and transmission
  • A de-noising algorithm helps to improve speech intelligibility in noisy environments
  • In-ear speech microphones make it compatible with most 3M respiratory protection, including PAPRs, reusable respirators (full face and half face) and disposable respirators

6. Earmuff Compatibility

When high-level hearing protection is a priority, it's paramount for your communication solution to have compatibility with the right earmuff for the job.

The 3M™ PELTOR™ PIC-100 System Control Unit (SCU) can be connected to the 3M™ PELTOR™ CH-3 Headset via an FLX2 cable for an over-the-ear configuration (headset and FLX2 cable available separately). While this option does not integrate the environmental listening function or real-time fit test, it does make for a more seamless transition to earmuff usage.

Ultimately, finding a protective communication solution that supports these six elements is crucial to equipping your workers with the features they need to optimize safety and productivity. You can be sure that with the 3M™ PELTOR™ PIC-100, which integrates all of these beneficial features, your workplace's hearing protection has never sounded better.

For more detailed information about how the 3M™ PELTOR™ PIC-100 can support your workplace's hearing protection and communication needs, reach out to our team of experts.