Earplug boosts personal safety for oil workers

The personal safety of oil industry workers could receive a boost with the creation of an intelligent earplug by Norwegian sector operator Statoil.

During the past four years, the company has worked on developing new noise protection technology.

Now it is testing QUIETPRO, an active noise-cancelling earplug with a number of other personal safety features.

The bud is capable of alerting the user if it is inserted incorrectly into the ear, ensuring that its safety potential is maximised.

While in use, a microphone on its exterior detects loud noise and removes it from the sound passed on to the individual.

It can also pick up the vibrations of their own speech travelling through their skull, allowing it to act as a microphone for communications without picking up ambient noise.

Statoil says that its efforts to enhance the safety levels among its workplace arise from a desire to prevent occupational illness and to protect against any industrial accidents.