Release Authorized by: / Danny Trahan, Safety Director / Manual Rev 4
NOISE EXPOSURE – HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
noise exposure - Hearing Conservations Program
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE 2
Employee Training and Information 2
Training Program 2
Employee Information Sources 3
Control Measures: 3
Engineering/Administrative Controls 3
Hearing Protective Devices 3
Recordkeeping Requirements 4
Audiometric Test Room Records 4
Audiometer Records 4
PURPOSE
Audiometric testing shall be provided annually to ALL employees whose exposures equal or exceed an eight (8) hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.
Audiometric tests shall be performed by a licensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, or other qualified physician, or by a technician who is certified by the Counsel of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation, or who has satisfactorily demonstrated competence in administering audiometric examinations, obtaining valid audiograms, and properly using, maintaining and calibrating audiometers. The technician who performs audiometric tests shall be responsible to an audiologist, otolaryngologist or qualified physician.
Baseline audiograms shall be obtained for ALL NEW employees. Testing to establish a baseline audiogram shall be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. This requirement may be met by wearing hearing protectors that will reduce the employee's exposure to an acceptable level.
A repeat audiogram shall be provided to ALL employees in the hearing conservation program annually.
Audiometric tests shall be pure tone, air conduction, hearing threshold examinations, with test frequencies including as a minimum 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz. Tests at each frequency shall be taken separately for each ear.
Audiometric tests shall be conducted with audiometers (including microprocessor audiometers) that meet the specifications of, and are maintained and used in accordance with ANSI S3.6-1969.
Audiometric examinations shall be conducted in an approved audiometric test booth.
The employee's annual audiogram shall be compared to that employee's baseline audiogram to determine if the audiogram is valid and if a standard threshold shift has occurred.
The audiologist, otolaryngologist, or qualified physician shall review problem audiograms and shall determine whether there is a need for further evaluation.
If it is determined that a standard threshold shift has occurred, the following action shall be taken by management:
- The affected employee shall be informed of this fact in writing, within 21 days of the determination.
- Other employees similarly exposed who are not using hearing protectors must be evaluated and hearing protection must be provided if warranted.
- Other employees similarly exposed who are using hearing protectors must be evaluated and refitted with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if warranted.
Employee Training and Information
Training Program
Each affected employee shall be provided with documented annual training which shall include the following:
- An explanation of the contents of the noise standard and hearing conservation program.
- Instruction in the nature of the noise hazards and the effects of noise on hearing.
- A description of specific work areas, processes, machinery or other equipment producing hazardous noise exposures.
- An explanation of the engineering and administrative control measures being used to reduce noise exposures.
- Instructions in the selection, use, sanitary care, maintenance, and limitations of hearing protective devices.
- An explanation of the purpose of the noise monitoring program and audiometric testing, and an explanation of the monitoring and testing procedures.
Employee Information Sources
For work areas equal to, or exceeding, an 8-hour time-weighted average noise exposure of 85 dBA, warning signs shall be posted. This requirement includes posting signs on mobile noise sources, such as vacuum trucks and hydroblasters.
Copies of the OSHA hearing conservation standard shall be made available to ALL affected employees, and a copy of the OSHA standard shall also be posted in the workplace.
Affected employees or their representatives shall be provided the opportunity to observe any measurements of employee noise exposure.
Access to employee medical records shall be provided in accordance with OSHA requirements.
Control Measures:
Engineering/Administrative Controls
Work areas, processes and equipment which may cause exposure of employees to unacceptable noise levels shall be controlled by engineering and/or administrative controls wherever feasible, with due consideration to available technology and economic impact.
Consideration of the effects of noise shall be included as a factor in replacement, modification, and addition of facilities and equipment.
Equipment design, layout, installation and purchasing criteria shall be developed to provide for noise control.
Employee schedules may be adjusted as a means of administratively controlling exposure levels.
Hearing Protective Devices
Hearing protective devices shall be made available without cost to ANY employee exposed to noise above the action level of 85 dBA-TWA.
Hearing protectors shall be replaced as necessary due to wear or deterioration.
Hearing protectors shall be worn:
- By any employee exposed above acceptable noise levels
- By any employee who is exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA or greater and who has not yet had a baseline audiogram.
- By any employee who has experienced a standard threshold shift.
Hearing protector attenuation shall be evaluated for the specific noise environments in which the protector will be used.
Hearing protectors must attenuate employee exposure at least to an 8-hour TWA of 90 dBA.
For employees who have experienced a standard threshold shift, hearing protectors must attenuate employee exposure to an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA or below.
Recordkeeping Requirements
The following records shall be maintained for each noise control and hearing conservation program:
- Employee Exposure Measurements (individual and representative):
- Shall include date, location, number and result of measurements: description of noise measurement equipment and calibration record. (2-year retention)
- Employee audiograms shall include name, job classification; date, examiner's name and qualifications; audiometric equipment manufacturer and model number, calibration record, and most recent noise exposure assessment. (These records shall be maintained by the medical provider.)
Audiometric Test Room Records
Covering measurements of background sound pressure levels (for octave bands 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000 Hz) date. (5-year retention by the medical provider.)
Audiometer Records
- Acoustical and exhaustive calibration dates and numerical results of calibration. (5-year retention, by the medical provider.)
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