Occupational Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation OSHA Standards 29 CFR 1926.52 (Construction Standard) and 1910.95 (General Industry Standard) are designed to protect employees who may.
Download ReportTranscript Occupational Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation OSHA Standards 29 CFR 1926.52 (Construction Standard) and 1910.95 (General Industry Standard) are designed to protect employees who may.
Slide 1
Occupational Noise
Exposure
and Hearing Conservation
OSHA Standards 29 CFR 1926.52 (Construction
Standard) and 1910.95 (General Industry Standard) are
designed to protect employees who may be subject to
occupational noise exposure.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 2
Which Standard Applies?
When working as a contractor in an industrial facility,
ENVIRON employees follow the General Industry
Standard.
When working at a hazardous waste clean-up site,
ENVIRON employees follow the Construction Standard.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 3
Construction Standard
Requires employees to
wear hearing protection if
noise exposure is above
the OSHA Permissible
Exposure Limit (“PEL”).
The PEL is 90 decibels
when measured as an 8hour time-weighted average
using the A-weighting scale.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 4
General Industry Standard
Requires employee monitoring
and testing when exposures
are at or above the OSHA
Action Level.
The OSHA Action Level is 85
decibels when measured as an
8-hour time-weighted average
using the A-weight scale.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 5
Employee Training
Employees must be trained on the following
when exposures meet or exceed the OSHA
Action Level:
Effects of noise on hearing
Purpose of hearing protectors
Advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of
various types of protectors
Selection, fitting, use, and care of protectors
Explanation and purpose of audiometric testing
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 6
Dangers of Noise
Sound Level (dBA)
(pain threshold) over 130
120
(considered harmful) 110
100
(damage begins) 90
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
Example Source
mining, jet engine , explosion
rock drill
nearby thunder, woodworking saw
diesel locomotive
subway, riveting
75
average automobile
40
quiet Office
10
quiet rural area
PROGRAM
Slide 7
Determining Noise Exposure
Ask the Host Facility to identify high noise areas or
activities prior to visiting a work site.
Perform personal noise dosimetry if required under
a contractual agreement.
A general rule of thumb is that if you have
difficulty hearing another employee while
standing one arm’s length away, hearing
protection should be worn.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 8
Ways to Reduce Exposure
Engineering Controls including, but not limited to: regular
maintenance of existing insulation materials; modifying,
replacing, or moving noisy equipment; installation of
noise reducing pads or other materials.
Work Practice and Administrative Controls including
notifying employees of areas where noise is an issue
(posting signs) and restricting exposure times.
Personal hearing protectors, which are used to reduce the
amount of noise to which employees are exposed.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 9
Protective Equipment
HSCs and Managers are responsible for ensuring that
suitable hearing protection is provided to employees.
Hearing protective equipment will be provided to any
employee who requests it, regardless of the actual noise
levels at a site.
Be aware that unnecessary use of protective equipment may
pose a hazard to the user (such as increased possibility of ear
infection).
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 10
Mandatory Hearing Protection
Use of hearing protection is mandatory when:
Exposures exceed the OSHA PEL.
Exposures are at or above the OSHA Action Level and the
affected employee has not had a baseline audiometric test.
Exposures are at or above the OSHA Action Level and the
affected employee has experienced a change in hearing.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 11
Types of Protection
Earplugs: inserted directly into the ear canal to
provide a seal against canal walls.
Earmuffs: enclose the entire ear inside rigid cups
lined with acoustic foam.
Use and Care of
Protective Earplugs
and Earmuffs
Wash periodically and
store in clean areas.
Discard foam inserts
after each use.
Wash hands before
handling pre-formed
earplugs and foam
inserts.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 12
Audiometric Testing
Audiometric testing monitors the sharpness and
acuity of hearing over time and is performed by
trained technicians when required due to
exposure over the Action Level.
Audiometric tests are confidential. However, HSCs
maintain all other records related to Hearing
Conservation training and testing, including
determination letters from medical professionals
verifying ability to work.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 13
When Audiograms are Required
A baseline audiogram must be
performed within six months of an
employee’s first exposure to noise
levels at or above the OSHA Action
Level. It is the reference against
which future audiograms are
compared.
Annual audiograms must be
obtained for employees whose
exposure is equal or exceeds the
OSHA Action Level to detect any
hearing deterioration over time.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Evaluation of Audiograms
Annual audiograms will
be compared to baselines
to determine if a Standard
Threshold Shift (STS) in
hearing has occurred.
Slide 14
Preventing Further Hearing Loss
If an employee experiences STS, the following
procedures will be implemented:
Affected employee will be referred for clinical
audiological evaluation and/or additional testing.
Employees not using protectors at the site will be
fitted to wear and trained to use hearing protectors.
Employees already using protectors will be re-fitted
and re-trained in the use of hearing protectors.
Health and Safety Committee will review the
effectiveness of the Hearing Conservation Program.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 15
Summary
Facility personnel should check with Host facilities prior to
visiting a site to determine if occupational noise exposure
is a potential hazard at the site.
If noise hazards are identified, employees should work
with Project Managers and HSCs to determine if
engineering controls or work practice/administrative
controls can alleviate the dangers. Otherwise employees
will need to work with HSCs to determine appropriate
personal hearing protection.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Occupational Noise
Exposure
and Hearing Conservation
OSHA Standards 29 CFR 1926.52 (Construction
Standard) and 1910.95 (General Industry Standard) are
designed to protect employees who may be subject to
occupational noise exposure.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 2
Which Standard Applies?
When working as a contractor in an industrial facility,
ENVIRON employees follow the General Industry
Standard.
When working at a hazardous waste clean-up site,
ENVIRON employees follow the Construction Standard.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 3
Construction Standard
Requires employees to
wear hearing protection if
noise exposure is above
the OSHA Permissible
Exposure Limit (“PEL”).
The PEL is 90 decibels
when measured as an 8hour time-weighted average
using the A-weighting scale.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 4
General Industry Standard
Requires employee monitoring
and testing when exposures
are at or above the OSHA
Action Level.
The OSHA Action Level is 85
decibels when measured as an
8-hour time-weighted average
using the A-weight scale.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 5
Employee Training
Employees must be trained on the following
when exposures meet or exceed the OSHA
Action Level:
Effects of noise on hearing
Purpose of hearing protectors
Advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of
various types of protectors
Selection, fitting, use, and care of protectors
Explanation and purpose of audiometric testing
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 6
Dangers of Noise
Sound Level (dBA)
(pain threshold) over 130
120
(considered harmful) 110
100
(damage begins) 90
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
Example Source
mining, jet engine , explosion
rock drill
nearby thunder, woodworking saw
diesel locomotive
subway, riveting
75
average automobile
40
quiet Office
10
quiet rural area
PROGRAM
Slide 7
Determining Noise Exposure
Ask the Host Facility to identify high noise areas or
activities prior to visiting a work site.
Perform personal noise dosimetry if required under
a contractual agreement.
A general rule of thumb is that if you have
difficulty hearing another employee while
standing one arm’s length away, hearing
protection should be worn.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 8
Ways to Reduce Exposure
Engineering Controls including, but not limited to: regular
maintenance of existing insulation materials; modifying,
replacing, or moving noisy equipment; installation of
noise reducing pads or other materials.
Work Practice and Administrative Controls including
notifying employees of areas where noise is an issue
(posting signs) and restricting exposure times.
Personal hearing protectors, which are used to reduce the
amount of noise to which employees are exposed.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 9
Protective Equipment
HSCs and Managers are responsible for ensuring that
suitable hearing protection is provided to employees.
Hearing protective equipment will be provided to any
employee who requests it, regardless of the actual noise
levels at a site.
Be aware that unnecessary use of protective equipment may
pose a hazard to the user (such as increased possibility of ear
infection).
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 10
Mandatory Hearing Protection
Use of hearing protection is mandatory when:
Exposures exceed the OSHA PEL.
Exposures are at or above the OSHA Action Level and the
affected employee has not had a baseline audiometric test.
Exposures are at or above the OSHA Action Level and the
affected employee has experienced a change in hearing.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 11
Types of Protection
Earplugs: inserted directly into the ear canal to
provide a seal against canal walls.
Earmuffs: enclose the entire ear inside rigid cups
lined with acoustic foam.
Use and Care of
Protective Earplugs
and Earmuffs
Wash periodically and
store in clean areas.
Discard foam inserts
after each use.
Wash hands before
handling pre-formed
earplugs and foam
inserts.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 12
Audiometric Testing
Audiometric testing monitors the sharpness and
acuity of hearing over time and is performed by
trained technicians when required due to
exposure over the Action Level.
Audiometric tests are confidential. However, HSCs
maintain all other records related to Hearing
Conservation training and testing, including
determination letters from medical professionals
verifying ability to work.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 13
When Audiograms are Required
A baseline audiogram must be
performed within six months of an
employee’s first exposure to noise
levels at or above the OSHA Action
Level. It is the reference against
which future audiograms are
compared.
Annual audiograms must be
obtained for employees whose
exposure is equal or exceeds the
OSHA Action Level to detect any
hearing deterioration over time.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Evaluation of Audiograms
Annual audiograms will
be compared to baselines
to determine if a Standard
Threshold Shift (STS) in
hearing has occurred.
Slide 14
Preventing Further Hearing Loss
If an employee experiences STS, the following
procedures will be implemented:
Affected employee will be referred for clinical
audiological evaluation and/or additional testing.
Employees not using protectors at the site will be
fitted to wear and trained to use hearing protectors.
Employees already using protectors will be re-fitted
and re-trained in the use of hearing protectors.
Health and Safety Committee will review the
effectiveness of the Hearing Conservation Program.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM
Slide 15
Summary
Facility personnel should check with Host facilities prior to
visiting a site to determine if occupational noise exposure
is a potential hazard at the site.
If noise hazards are identified, employees should work
with Project Managers and HSCs to determine if
engineering controls or work practice/administrative
controls can alleviate the dangers. Otherwise employees
will need to work with HSCs to determine appropriate
personal hearing protection.
HEARING
CONSERVATION / E N V I R O N
TRAINING
PROGRAM