Don't Overlook Your Ears

It’s no secret that lawnmowers and woodworking tools are loud. But, all too often, the people who use them forget to wear ear protection while doing so.

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that ear protection be used when operating equipment with sound levels greater than 85 decibels. The average lawnmower ranks at 95 decibels, and a table saw comes in at 100 decibels. (Normal conversation is about 60 decibels.)

Hearing loss in the United States is quite common. One in every eight people in the US ages 12 and older has some hearing loss in both ears. About 5% of adults between ages 45 and 54 have a degree of hearing loss considered to be disabling, according to the National Institutes of Health.

According to OSHA, “Exposure to loud noise kills the nerve endings in our inner ear,” leading to permanent hearing loss that cannot be corrected. This can limit one’s ability to hear high-frequency sounds and understand speech. The resulting impact on the ability to communicate can greatly affect quality of life.

Stepping up ear protection measures now will reduce the risk of hearing loss. Identify noisy environments by using a free app from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The Sound Level Meter App (iOS only) measures sound levels and provides noise exposure parameters.

There are many options for ear protection that you can use when operating noisy equipment or spending time in a noisy environment. Foam earplugs and earmuffs are the most common choices. (Headphones used for listening to audio do not qualify as hearing protective devices.) Finding one that works for you, and using it when you’re exposed to noise, will go a long way to protect and preserve your hearing.

Wear What Works

Women who work in the building trades gathered at BBR last Tuesday to discuss gear: the clothing and accessories they’ve found that fit well and stand up to jobsite wear and tear. The group also heard from Hannah Carlson, professor at the Rhode Island School of Design and author of Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close.

Several tradeswomen modeled and shared the deets on their favorite clothing and gear:

From electrician Peg Preble:

• Skillers knee-pad utility work pants with cargo pockets. Peg loves them because they come in sizes that fit, the knee pads are flexible and comfortable, and they have nice big pockets.

• 3M respirator 6100. It’s the only one she’s found that comes in a small size, and it has many different filters available.

 From carpenter Sarah Hagman:

• Dovetail pants. There are multiple leg cuts to choose from, a gusseted crotch, and a dozen pockets. They are available in several inseams, so no need to hem them.

• Danner Boots safety toe mocs. These are available in smaller sizes, and there is no break-in period with a new pair. She has had some warranty issue, but the company has been very responsive.

• Diamondback tool belt. The pouches don’t hit the ground before Sarah’s knees when she kneels down.

 From handywoman Sarah Solomon:

• Duluth Trading Company overalls. They’re stretchy and comfortable and have lots of pockets.

• Blundstone pull-on boots. In addition to being comfortable, the boots can be taken off easily when in a client’s home, and drops of paint come off easily.

Save the date for the next Tool Box: Tuesday, July 30, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

What's Bokashi Composting?

Bokashi composting is a fundamentally different process than traditional backyard composting. While traditional composting happens by decomposition, bokashi uses fermentation.

A traditional compost pile must be stirred from time to time to create air pockets for the organisms that break down the organic material. Bokashi composting happens in an anaerobic environment, and breaks down the material much faster. It takes about two weeks to fill a bokashi bucket, and another two weeks to ferment.

With bokashi composting, you can put meat, bones, dairy, and cooked items into the mix. Sprinkle the organic material with bokashi bran—about one tablespoon per inch of waste. Once the bin is full, set it in a warm place. Empty the bokashi tea every couple of days and use it to feed your plants.

After two weeks, you should smell a pickle-like odor, the food waste will be softer, and you may see white mold. These are indicators of successful fermentation. Bury the fermented food waste directly in your garden, compost pile, planters, or soil factory. In two more weeks, the pre-compost will be incorporated into the soil web to the benefit of all plants and soil in the surrounding area.

Healthy soil is full of life, including macrobes (worms, bugs) and microbes (bacteria, yeasts, and fungi). Healthy soil begins with microbes. Soil biologists have determined that plant roots are actually a two-way system. Plants send almost 40% of their energy down into their roots, where it is released in the root zone in the form of sugary carbohydrates intended to attract microbes. Microbes, by digesting the minerals and nutrients from the soil around the roots, feed the plants. Bokashi compost encourages microbial growth and strengthens the soil web.

Ready to give bokashi a try? A single-bin starter kit—including one bokashi bucket, one bag of bokashi bran, a guide booklet, and a cup to collect bokashi tea—is available for a member price of $75 from the Co-op at BBR. Additional 2.2-pound bags of bran are $14.45 each; one bag lasts three to four months.