Hearing conservation

Not all existing procedures or program elements of the overall health and safety program need to be incorporated into the HASP. For example, if noise is a hazard, the plan does not have to cite the entire hearing conservation program. Procedures already established elsewhere may be referenced, as applicable. In another example, if a confined-space-entry procedure is required, the HASP could reference the particular procedure which is part of the overall program. The next step would be to identify confined spaces at the worksite where the procedure applies, and then provide appropriate implementation procedures (e.g., conditions to be monitored, evaluation of the space, issuance of an entry permit). If special operational procedures apply to the worksite, they can be attached to the HASP using an appendix. 

Noise monitoring is usually located in the HASP as part of the monitoring program. Noise monitoring should be performed in accordance with acceptable practices. Typically, noise levels are monitored in the field with either a Type I or Type II sound level meter (SLM). Noise dosimeter readings can also be obtained to determine the percent (%) noise dose. Noise levels and % doses measured are then compared to limits listed in OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.95, Hearing Conservation [3]. 

Existing respiratory protection or hearing conservation programs can be referenced and integrated, as appropriate, into the site-specific medical surveillance program after worksite hazards have been considered. At some sites, workers are provided a fitness-for-duty card indicating their current medical status and the medical surveillance programs in which they participate [1]. 

If applicable, has the employer implemented a hearing conservation program that includes noise monitoring, use of hearing protection devices, and audiograms [OSHA Reference 1910.95(c)]... 

The actual noise levels produced by HVAC systems can var) considerably, and it is not possible to generalize the problems that may be encountered. From a safety point of view, it is advisable to start hearing conservation programs for workers. Permanent hearing damage will result when the noise levels exceed 80 dB(A) for a given time period. Whenever possible, it is desirable to control noise pressure levels to meet the requirements of speech communication in this case noise should not exceed 65-70 dB(A). 

Hearing conservation Electrical safety-related work practices... 

Olishifski J.B., and E.R. Harford, Editors. Industrial Noise and Hearing Conservation, National Safety Council, Chicago, IL, 1975. 

OSHAhas estimated a safe maximum noise level of 85 dB. The time-weighted average (TWA) is an exposure for an 8-h to a noise level not exceeding 90 dB. If this level exceeds 85 dB, OSHA requires the employer to institute a hearing conservation program (HCP). Therefore, if a company wants to avoid loss claims under worker compensation laws, it must not only meet the prescribed legal standards, but also attempt to reduce noise to the lowest possible level (< 80 dB). 

Royster, L. H., and Royster, J. D. "Hearing Conservation Programs." In Handbook of Acoustical Measurements and Noise Control, edited by C. M. Harris, 3rd ed. Woodbury, NY Acoustical Society of America, 1998. 

DA PAM 40-501, 27 Aug 91 DA PAM 50-6, 17 May 9 Hearing Conservation Chemical Accident or Incident Response and Assistance (CAIRA) Operations... 

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (1987), Assessment Noise-Exposure During Work for Hearing Conservation Purposes, ISO, Geneva. 

Explain the basic requirements for OSHA s Hearing Conservation Standard. 

Duration is another key factor in determining the safety of workplace noise. The regulation has a 50 percent 5 dBA logarithmic tradeoff. That is, for every 5 decibel increase in the noise level, the length of exposure must be reduced by 50 percent. For example, at 90 decibels, the sound level of a lawnmower, the limit of safe exposure is eight hours. At 95 dBA, the limit on exposure is four hours, and so on. For any sound that is 106 dBA and above (sandblaster or rock concert) exposure without protection should be less than one hour. Figure 8-1 shows the basic requirement of OSHA s Hearing Conservation Standard. 

The following bullets explain the requirements of the hearing conservation standard ... 

Hearing Conservation and Noise (reference EHS Regulatory Checklist) ... 

CFR 1910.95 Noise, hearing conservation program required above action level... 

The noise levels in most laboratories are usually not excessive, but there are laboratory facilities in which noise can reach levels forwhich hearing protection should be provided or the employees required to be involved in a hearing conservation program. It would be preferable, of course, if the noise levels could be lowered rather than to depend upon personal protective devices. 

PureSafety now offers a wealth of online health courses designed specifically for healthcare professionals in hospital, clinic or industrial environments — by healthcare professionals. With topics ranging from Blood borne Pathogens and Hearing Conservation to Safe Patient Handling and MDRO/MRSA, your clinic has immediate,... 

U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Hearing Conservation for the Hearing Impaired Worker. Washington, D.C. Safety and Health Information Bulletin 12-27-2005. 

Renee S. Bessette, COHO is global brand manager and Dr. Theresa Y. Schulz, Lt. Col. USAF (retired) is hearing conservation manager for Howard height /Honeywell Safety Products. 

Schulz, TY. Key Hearing Conservation Issues for 2011 and Beyond. Professional Safety, April 2011. cited 4.15.11 ftom http / www.asse.org/professionalsafety/best-practices.php... 

Multi-disciplinary support for hearing conservation programs requires someone to coordinate the activities of each professional. Beyond that, someone in this professional matrix has to function as the program advocate. According to the Roysters, this key individual should have the communication skills to relate a strong passion for the program.2... 

Another downside of an overdependenee on the key individual is the increasing complexity and multitude of tasks that an effective hearing conservation program demands. There is an expectation in our culture that an individual with expert audacity (the right stuff ) should be able to always get it right. There may be similar expectations for other personne performing even the most mundane tasks. 

Amendment was implemented. What works isn t that much of a mystery anymore. Many of our programs have implemented what could be called best practices. So, why aren t these best practices more widely implemented and why aren t hearing conservation programs in general more effective ... 

Despite microprocessor technology, we don t test hearing directly in our hearing conservation programs. We depend on a behavioral response from someone who has been instructed to respond to varying levels of pure tones. The results of that hearing test are more of a matter of how well the instructions were provided, how motivated the individual is to respond, how precisely the audiometer is calibrated, how quiet the test environment and if technicians respond appropriately to error codes during the test. 

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