CSA Z94.2-2026

Hearing protection devices - Performance, selection, care, and use

Preface This is the eighth edition of CSA Z94.2, Hearing protection devices — Performance, selection, care, and use . It supersedes previous editions published in 2014, 2002, 1994, 1984, 1979, 1974, and 1965. This new edition aligns with CSA Z1007 and no longer specifies the SNR (SF84) single-number rating based on inexperienced subject-fit real-ear laboratory attenuation data in ASA/ANSI S12.6 data. Use of the Class method, NRR with derating, and the octave-band method with derating based on experimenter-fit real-ear laboratory attenuation data in ANSI S3.19 are continued. Use of PAR, now expanded, is the preferred selection method to better reflect the field performance of individual workers. Requirements regarding the selection, fit, care, and use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) are now contained in Clause 7. Complete information is provided on the selection of HPDs based on sound attenuation and noise level. In this edition, only limited information is provided on other selection criteria (comfort, communication needs and audibility, interference with other PPE, environmental factors) and on fit, care, and use of HPDs. Instead, tables are provided to point to the relevant clauses in CSA Z1007 where more complete information is available. Although users of HPDs are required to follow the criteria in Clause 7 in order to comply with this Standard, reference should also be made to applicable local OHS regulations, which can require additional or more stringent performance. Two annexes have been added to facilitate access to essential reference materials: Annex E provides the source text for the real-ear method in ANSI S3.19, while Annex F provides the source text for the NRR computation steps. Aspects of sustainability in manufacturing and packaging of hearing protector products have been added in Clause 4.3 in this new edition. The CSA Subcommittee on Hearing Protection recognizes that significant variations in effective protection (as great as ±20 dB attenuation) can occur depending on how an HPD is used. This Standard emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive hearing loss prevention program, including hazard assessment and instruction on the careful selection, proper wearing, and high-quality maintenance of hearing protection devices. It is the opinion of the Subcommittee that wearing HPDs without proper selection, care, and use can result in significantly lower attenuation for the user than that obtained from the tests specified in this Standard. This Standard should be used in conjunction with CSA Z1007, Management of hearing loss prevention programs. CSA Z1007 covers all aspects of the creation and management of hearing loss prevention programs. CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial support of the Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Law — Occupational Safety and Health (CAALL- OSH), including provincial and territorial governments, as well as the Government of Canada. CSA Group is solely responsible for the content of this Standard, and CSA Group and the funding bodies disclaim any liability in connection with the use of the information contained here This Standard is considered suitable for use for conformity assessment within the stated scope of the Standard. This Standard was prepared by the Subcommittee on Hearing Protection, under the jurisdiction of the Technical Committee on Occupational Hearing Conservation and the Strategic Steering Committee on Occupational Health and Safety, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. Scope 1.1 General Clauses 4 to 6 outline the requirements for HPD materials, laboratory sound attenuation measurements, physical tests, reporting, and packaging for manufacturers of HPDs to be used in occupational settings. Clause 7 covers the selection, care, and use of HPDs. This Standard specifies procedures for estimating the effective A-weighted noise exposure level while wearing HPDs based on laboratory sound attenuation measurements. In addition, this Standard also specifies the use of the hearing protector fit testing (HPFT) procedure, which evaluates the individual worker’s attenuation using field attenuation estimation systems (FAES). 1.2 Inclusions The following types of HPDs are covered in this Standard: earplugs, earmuffs, and acoustic helmets. The sound attenuation testing and reporting requirements set forth in this Standard apply to a) general (passive) hearing protection devices; b) the passive attenuation of electronic HPDs when the electronics are turned off; and c) amplitude-sensitive (passive level-dependent) HPDs at low levels. Note: Refer to Annex A for a comprehensive description of the different types and features of specialized HPDs. 1.3 Exclusions This Standard does not address the testing and reporting requirements related to specialized attenuation measurements and/or HPD features, such as a) special methods and metrics related to impulsive noise reduction of HPDs (such as the impulsive peak insertion loss (IPIL); b) level dependency of sound-restoration (active level-dependent) when the electronics are turned on; c) level dependency of amplitude-sensitive (passive level-dependent) HPDs at high levels; or d) active attenuation component of active noise reduction (ANR) devices. Note: Refer to ASA/ANSI S12.42 for guidance on the applicable methods for specialized attenuation measurements of HPDs. 1.4 Terminology In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.