Hearing Conservation

REFERENCE: Hearing Conservation
ISSUED: 1 November 2008
EFFECTIVE: 1 November 2008
SUPERSEDES: none

Hearing Conservation Program

1.0  Scope
Provides safe practices, procedures and policies for the prevention of hearing loss. Complies with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements 29 CFR 1910.95.

2.0  Definitions
2.1  STS: Standard Threshold Shift:  A change in hearing compared to an earlier (baseline) hearing test that requires follow up action:  > 10 –dB average shift from baseline hearing levels at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear.

2.2  ENT Physician:  Abbreviation for ears, nose and throat.  A medical specialist who is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the head and neck, including particularly the ears, nose, and throat. ENT doctors are also called otolaryngologists.

2.3  Engineering controls:  Changing the physical working environment to mitigate the exposure.

2.4  Administrative controls:  Changing the staff schedule to decrease the working time exposed to the noise source.

2.5 Audiologist:  A health care professional who is trained to evaluate hearing loss and related disorders, including balance (vestibular) disorders and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and to rehabilitate individuals with hearing loss and related disorders.  An audiologist uses a variety of tests and procedures to assess hearing and balance function and to fit and dispense hearing aids and other assistive devices for hearing.

2.6 dBA:  The abbreviation dB stands for decibel and the term “A” means that the sound level has been filtered with the A-weighting network of sound level meter.  “A” weighting network is the standard used to evaluate occupational noise exposure.

 

3.0  Responsibilities

3.1  Management
Assures

1. Employees who are exposed to sound levels that exceed 85 dBA are assigned to, and are participating in the hearing conservation program.
2. Adequate and suitable hearing protectors are provided when necessary to protect the employee.
3. Hearing protector wearers are adequately maintaining their hearing protectors.
4. Implement engineering or administrative controls identified with HESS.

3.2  UCAR  HESS
Serves as the Program Administrator who

1. Conduct noise monitoring and evaluation when 85-dBA is exceed.
2. Initiate feasible engineering or administrative controls for employees exceeding exposure of 85 dBA.
3. Calibrate equipment in accordance with manufactures instructions.
4. Manage hearing conservation program.
5. Maintains records and written procedures that document the hearing conservation program and allows for the evaluation of the program's effectiveness.

3.3  Employees

1. Wear hearing protectors in posted areas and in accordance with instructions and training received.
2. Protect the hearing protectors from damage.
3. Attend annual hearing conservation program for testing, training, and evaluation of hearing protectors.
4. Follow procedures for using engineering and administrated controls when required.

4.0  General Principles
Hearing protection is worn by UCAR employees when engineered controls of sound levels cannot suppress noise exposure at or below 85-dBA regardless of exposure time.

5.0  Hearing Conservation Program and Procedures

5.1  Employee Notification
Employees are notified, by posted signs and by supervision, when they will be or are working in an area that will expose them at or above 85 dBA.  They will be required to wear hearing protection in these areas and will be placed in the hearing conservation program.  Employees are notified when a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) is observed.

5.2  Hearing Conservation Program

1. Baseline audiogram within 30 days of enrollment in the hearing conservation program.
2. Annual audiograms for all employees in the program.
3. Annual audiogram evaluation.
1. If STS exists, employee will be scheduled for retesting within 30 days.
2. If STS exists in follow up test, employee will be referred to an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Physician for further evaluation.
3. Hearing protectors

1. A variety of suitable hearing protectors are provided for employees’ selection.
2. Employee’s current hearing protectors are inspected.

4. Training.

1. Employee is trained in the purpose, advantages/disadvantages, proper fitting, care, and use of hearing protectors; and
2. effects of noise on hearing.
3. Purpose and procedures of audiometric testing.

5. Employee’s baseline and previous annual test will be present at the annual testing.

6.0  Record Keeping
HESS maintains records of sound level surveys, annual audiograms and evaluations for the duration of employment plus five years.  An employee’s Standard Threshold Shift is recorded in the OSHA Log 301 for the year identified.

 

7.0  Access to OSHA standard
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9735