Hearing conservation program

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. 

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). 

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. 

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. 

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. 

J. D. Royster and L. EL Royster, Hearing Conservation Programs A Practical Guide to Success, Lewis Publishers, Inc., Chelsea, Michigan, 1990. 

Devices or programs used to decrease the intensity of sound that reaches the eardrum. See also Hearing Conservation Program (HCP). 

Where sound levels exceed the PNEs, you must also implement a hearing conservation program. An effective program monitors employee exposure, administers annual audiograms, trains workers, and maintains proper recordkeeping. You should keep records on the noise created by different machines and operations at your construction site. Measurements should be taken with a sound level meter, at slow response, measured on the A-scale. 

Safety Health Program Management — Hearing Conservation Program... 

Currently, employers are required to have a hearing conservation program that includes the following elements if sound levels exceed the values shown in Table D-2 of 1926.52 ... 

SAFETY HEALTH PROGRAM MANAGEMENT — HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM-1... 

This sign-off sheet documents the employees who have taken part in a training session on Safety Health Program Management — Hearing Conservation Program at this company,... 

Many workers receive noise exposures that vary a lot during a workday. In 1981, OSHA required hearing conservation programs for workers exposed to TWAN levels greater than 85 dBA. Noise dose, D, measures varying exposures over a time period. A TWAN level is equivalent to an exposure of 90 dBA for an 8-hr period. OSHA exposure standards in... 

---