1. Occupational Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation
OSHA Standards 29 CFR (Construction Standard) and (General Industry Standard) are designed to protect employees who may be subject to occupational noise exposure.
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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.
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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 8-hour time-weighted average using the A-weighting scale.
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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.
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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
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6. Dangers of Noise Sound Level (dBA) (pain threshold) over 130 120
(considered harmful) 110
100
(damage begins) 90 75 40 10
Example Source
mining, jet engine , explosion
rock drill
nearby thunder, woodworking saw
diesel locomotive
subway, riveting
average automobile
quiet Office
quiet rural area
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Evaluation of Audiograms
Annual audiograms will be compared to baselines to determine if a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) in hearing has occurred.
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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.
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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.
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