| Workplace Noise:
Many people are exposed to hazardous noise
levels at work, including firefighters; military personnel; disc jockeys;
subway workers; construction workers; musicians; farm workers; industrial
arts teachers; highway workers; computer operators; landscapers; factory
workers; and cab, truck, and bus operators, to name a few. And, they
number nine million according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA).
Federal Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) regulations require that, when
engineering controls and/or administrative controls cannot reduce noise
levels in industry to an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) level of
less than 85 dBA, a hearing protection (or conservation) program must be
established. A successful hearing loss prevention program benefits both
the employee and the employer. Employees are spared disabling hearing loss
and may experience less fatigue and better health in general. Employers
benefit from reduced medical expenses and worker compensation costs.
Overall, there is improved morale and work efficiency in the workplace.
OSHA requires a five phase hearing
conservation program for industry:
- Noise Monitoring:
Sound levels must be measured. Results are
used to decide: (a) which employees need to be in the hearing
conservation program, (b) whether hearing protection devices must be
used or be available on an optional basis, (c) which hearing protection
devices are appropriate for different noise levels of the facility.
- Audiometric (Hearing) Testing:
All employees in a hearing conservation
program must have baseline and annual hearing tests.
Baseline audiometric testing helps the
employer to determine the presence or absence of a pre-existing hearing
loss and may assist the employer in determining job placement for the
employee. It can also protect the employer where a conservation program
is in place from responsibility for a worker compensation claim.
Annual audiometric testing assesses the
effectiveness of the hearing conservation program. Each annual
audiometric test is compared with the employee's baseline test to
determine if there has been any deterioration in the employee's hearing.
There are no better alternatives than quality audiometric testing to
determine if workers are protected from the damaging effects of noise.
- Employee Training:
Employees involved in a hearing
conservation program must receive annual education and training on (a)
the effects of noise on hearing, (b) hearing protection devices (their
availability to employees, their advantages and disadvantages,
techniques for proper selection, fit, use, and care) and, (c) the
purpose and procedures of audiometric testing. By being involved in
education, employees learn how to protect their hearing when exposed to
loud noise, both on and off the job.
- Hearing Protectors:
Hearing protection devices should be made
available to all employees. Mandatory versus optional use is determined
by noise exposure monitoring. Hearing protection devices must be worn by
employees whose eight hour TWA is 90 dBA or greater and by employees
whose TWAs are between 85-90 dBA if they display standard threshold
shifts in hearing levels. A standard threshold shift is defined by OSHA
as "a change in hearing threshold relative to the baseline
audiogram of 10dB or more for the frequencies 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in
either ear." Hearing protection devices must meet sound reduction levels required by
OSHA.
- Record Keeping:
The skills of a knowledgeable professional
are essential to assure an effective and successful hearing conservation
and protection program. For the audiometric testing phase, OSHA
specifically requires supervision by an audiologist, otolaryngologist, or
physician.
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