Presented By Roger Pigeon Safety and Occupational Health Manager 1WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

1. Explain how sound is created. 2. Describe how the human ear receives and interprets sound. 3. Name 2 ways sound is measured. 4. Describe at least 2 indicators of excessive noise in the workplace. 5. Identify the part of the human ear damaged by excessive noise exposure. 6. Identify medical test used to document damage. 7. Identify 5 key elements of the hearing conservation program. 2WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

Heredity Infections Acoustic Trauma Prescription Drugs Presbycusis Hazardous Noise 3WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

1. Noise…too much of it ! 2. Noise and sound terms are used interchangeably. 3. Noise, in terms of occupational health is any sound intense enough to damage hearing. “One person’s music can be another’s racket”. 4WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

One of the most pervasive occupational health exposures. #1 cause of nonfatal health problems in the USA. Over 30 million affected with partial or total hearing loss. 10 million have suffered irreversible noise induced hearing loss. Rate of hearing loss in increasing in US. “Sneaky villain”…each repeated over-exposure to hazardous noise sources such as heavy construction equipment, air compressors, chainsaws, skid-steer loaders, water pumps, and the like add to the damage. Nerve cells in your ears attempt to repair however repeated exposures will create permanent hearing loss. 5WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

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1. Heavy construction equipment…such as dozers, graders, backhoes, excavators, skid-steer loaders. 2. Continuous use of chainsaws. 3. Wood shop power tools…such as table saw, hand held power saw, pay loaders, band saw, planer, air compressor, routers, large sanders, hand held and pedestal grinders, air-operated impact wrenches and tools. 4. Weed eaters, large lawn mowers, hedge trimmers. 14WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

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Forest Service FSH Health & Safety Code Handbook Incorporates OSHA Standard by Reference. 18WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

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Sound has two fundamental characteristics. Loudness or Intensity – measured in “decibels”. Frequency – measured in “Hertz” or cycles per second. Sound Is Measured In Three Different Ways: 1.Frequency (cycles per second or hertz) 2.Intensity (dbA or dbC) 3.Duration (hours and minutes) 20WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

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Five components of a hearing conservation program. Exposure monitoring. Audiometric testing. Using engineering controls. Using administrative controls. Using hearing protection devices (HPD). Education and training. Recordkeeping. 26WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

1. Monitor noise levels. 2. Perform audiometric testing. 3. Apply engineering and administrative controls. Utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) as last option. 4. Educate and train affected employees. 5. Develop and perform recordkeeping. 27WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

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Audiometric testing can be performed by Audiologist or technician certified by Council on Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation. May vary by State. 29WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

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STS = Significant Threshold Shift 33WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

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1.A training program is mandatory for all employees exposed at or above the 85 dbA level. 2.Training must be provided at least once each year and must be updated to be consistent with changes in protective equipment and work processes. 3.Training topics must included: Effects of noise on hearing. Purpose of hearing protection devices. Advantages and disadvantages of noise reduction ratings (NRR) of various types of hearing protection. Instructions on selecting, fitting and use and care of devices. Purpose of audiometric testing and explanation of test procedures and results. 37WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health

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Thanks for your attention….. WO/ Office of Safety and Occupational Health40