Hearing Protection and Hearing Conservation Safety Program

Purpose

Conservation of hearing is achieved through preventative measures. To reduce occupational hearing loss, all employees, who work in potentially noisy areas, are provided hearing protection, training and annual hearing tests. OSHA's hearing conservation standard is covered in 29 CFR 1910.95.  Engineering controls are applied to reduce noise from equipment and operations.

Responsibilities

Management

• Use Engineering and Administrative controls to limit employee exposure
• Provide adequate hearing protection for employees
• Post signs and warnings for all high noise areas
• Conduct noise surveys annually or when new equipment is added
• Conduct annual hearing tests for all employees
• Conduct hearing conservation training for all new employees
• Conduct annual hearing conservation training for all employees

Employees

• Use company provided, approved hearing protection in designated high noise areas
• Request new hearing protection when needed
• Exercise proper care of issues hearing protection

Training

At time of hire and annually thereafter, all affected Employees must attend Hearing Conservation Training. The initial training is conducted as part of the New Hire Orientation Program by the Human Resource Department and consists of:

1. . Rules and procedures
2. . Where hearing protection is required
3. . How to use and care for hearing protectors
4. . How noise affects hearing and hearing loss

Engineering Controls

After it is determined that noise exposure above 85 dB(A) are present, engineering controls should be evaluated and implemented to reduce the noise exposure before administrative controls are initiated. Some examples of engineering controls include:

1. Noise reducing baffles
2. Compartmentalization
3. Installing noise reducing gears
4. Installing rubber pads under machinery

When new equipment or machinery are evaluated for purchase, the Safety Manager should be consulted to conduct an evaluation from a safety and health standpoint. One criteria of the evaluation should include the amount of noise the equipment will produce and how it will effect the overall noise exposure.

Administrative Controls

After engineering controls are evaluated for effectiveness or feasibility, administrative controls should be considered to reduce noise exposure. Administrative controls include restricting exposure time or using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Personal Protective Equipment, such as ear plugs or muffs, may be used to reduce the amount of noise exposure. Each plug or muff has a noise reductions factor (NR) as evaluated by ANSI Standards (S3.19 - 1974 or Z24.22 - 1957). For example, if a work area has an ambient noise exposure of 96 dB(A), the hearing protectors should be rated 6 NR or better to be effective.

According to OSHA Regulations, each location with noise exposures of 85 to 89 dB(A) will provide hearing protectors for the Employee's optional use. Noise exposures at 90 dB(A) or above require the mandatory use of hearing protection. Further, OSHA requires that a variety of hearing protectors be available for Employees to choose (both a variety of plug and muff type hearing protectors).

Types of Hearing Protectors

Hearing protection devices are the first line of defense against noise in environments where engineering controls have not reduced employee exposure to safe levels. Hearing protective devices can prevent significant hearing loss, but only if they are used properly. The most popular hearing protection devices are earplugs which are inserted into the ear canal to provide a seal against the canal walls. Earmuffs enclose the entire external ears inside rigid cups. The inside of the muff cup is lined with acoustic foam and the perimeter of the cup is fitted with a cushion that seals against the head around the

This is the FIRST part of this document
The rest of this document can be found in the Members Area
You can join for only 79 cents a day!