751 study guide
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HearingConservation
ProgramManagement
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OSHAcademyCourse751StudyGuide
HearingConservationProgram
Copyright2014GeigleSafetyGroup,Inc.
Noportionofthistextmaybereprintedforotherthanpersonaluse.Anycommercialuseof
thisdocumentisstrictlyforbidden.ContactOSHAcademytoarrangeforuseasatraining
document.
Thisstudyguideisdesignedtobereviewedofflineasatoolforpreparationtosuccessfully
completeOSHAcademyCourse751.
Readeachmodule,answerthequizquestions,andsubmitthequizquestionsonlinethrough
thecoursewebpage.Youcanprintthepostquizresponsescreenwhichwillcontainthecorrect
answerstothequestions.
Thefinalexamwillconsistofquestionsdevelopedfromthecoursecontentandmodulequizzes.
Wehopeyouenjoythecourseandifyouhaveanyquestions,feelfreetoemailorcall:
OSHAcademy
1915NWAmberglenParkway,Suite400
Beaverton,Oregon97006
www.oshatrain.org
instructor@oshatrain.org
+1.888.668.9079
Disclaimer
This document does not constitute legal advice. Consult with your own company counsel for advice on compliance with all applicable state and
federal regulations. Neither Geigle Safety Group, Inc., nor any of its employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees makeany warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained
herein, or assume any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this publication.
GEIGLE SAFETY GROUP, INC., DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Taking actions suggestedin these documents does not guarantee that an operator or contractor will be in compliance with SEMS. Ultimately every company is responsible
for determining the applicability of each section of SEMS to its own operations. Each operators SEMS plan will be different. Mapping safety
and environmental management policies, procedures, or operations using this document does not guarantee compliance with an operators SEMS
plan.
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TableofContents
CourseIntroduction........................................................................................................................ 7
MillionsAreExposedtoHazardousLevelsofNoiseEachDay...............................................7
HighRiskIndustries................................................................................................................ 7
Whatsthestandard?.............................................................................................................. 8
HearingConservationProgram............................................................................................... 8
Module1:Thebasics...................................................................................................................... 9
SoundandNoiseWhatsthedifference?............................................................................ 9
Howissoundmeasured?........................................................................................................ 9
Howdoestheearwork?......................................................................................................... 9
ThePerilsofExposure........................................................................................................... 10
Exposuretochemicals.......................................................................................................... 11
Howdoessounddamagehearing?....................................................................................... 11
Howtoknowifyourhearingisdamaged............................................................................. 11
Module1Quiz........................................................................................................................... 13
MODULE2:EvaluatingExposures................................................................................................. 14
WarningSignsofHazardousWorkplaceNoise..................................................................... 14
HowtoevaluateNoiseexposure?........................................................................................ 14
IndicationsofaProblem....................................................................................................... 14
Walkaroundsurvey.............................................................................................................. 15
WorkshiftSampling............................................................................................................. 15
NoiseSurveyInstruments..................................................................................................... 16
Module2Quiz........................................................................................................................... 18
Module3:ReducingNoiseRelatedHazards................................................................................. 19
Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 19
EngineeringandAdministrativeControls............................................................................. 19
Engineeringcontrols............................................................................................................. 19
ExamplesofEngineeringControls........................................................................................ 20
AdministrativeControls........................................................................................................ 21
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ManagementResponsibilities............................................................................................... 22
EmployeeResponsibilities.................................................................................................... 22
Module3Quiz........................................................................................................................... 24
Module4:HearingConservationPrograms................................................................................. 25
Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 25
Whatconstitutesaneffectivehearingconservationprogram?...........................................25
ProgramElements................................................................................................................. 25
MonitoringProgram............................................................................................................. 25
ProvidingHearingProtectionDevices(HPDs) ManagementResponsibilities..................26
HearingProtectionDevices(HPDs)BasicRequirements..................................................27
HPDSelectionandUse.......................................................................................................... 27
FittingHPDs.......................................................................................................................... 28
HPDAttenuation................................................................................................................... 28
HearingProtectionLabeling................................................................................................. 29
EmployeeTrainingandEducation........................................................................................ 30
AccesstoInformationandTrainingMaterials...................................................................... 31
Module4Quiz........................................................................................................................... 32
Module5: HearingConservationProgramBenefits.................................................................... 34
Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 34
TheCosts............................................................................................................................... 34
EmployerBenefits................................................................................................................. 34
EmployeeBenefits................................................................................................................ 35
Module5Quiz........................................................................................................................... 37
Module6: HearingConservation:RequiredMonitoring.............................................................39
Whenmusttheemployerrepeatmonitoring?.................................................................... 39
Whatisaudiometrictesting?................................................................................................ 39
Whatisabaselineaudiogram?............................................................................................. 40
Whatareannualaudiograms?.............................................................................................. 40
Whatisanemployerrequiredtodofollowinganaudiogramevaluation?.........................41
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Whenshouldanemployerperformanaudiogram?............................................................41
Whenareemployeesrequiredtowearhearingprotectors?...............................................42
NoiseReductionRatings(NRR)............................................................................................. 42
StandardThresholdShift(STS)............................................................................................. 42
WhatTrainingisrequired?................................................................................................... 42
Whatexposureandtestingrecordsmustemployerskeep?................................................43
ManagementResponsibilities............................................................................................... 43
Module6Quiz........................................................................................................................... 44
Module7:HearingConservationProgramAudit(Optional)........................................................46
Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 46
Programevaluationchecklist,canservewell...................................................................... 46
Howdoessafetyandhealthmanagementsystemassistancehelpemployersand
employees?........................................................................................................................... 48
HearingConservationProgramEvaluationChecklist...........................................................49
EngineeringandAdministrativeControls............................................................................. 50
HearingProtectionDevices................................................................................................... 52
Module7Quiz........................................................................................................................... 54
Module8:PolicyNeeds(Optional)............................................................................................... 56
PoliciesManagementMustAddress.................................................................................... 56
Settinguptrainingsessions.................................................................................................. 58
ProgramImplementerResponsibilities................................................................................ 59
RewardsandPunishments.................................................................................................... 61
RecordKeeping..................................................................................................................... 62
ManagementResponsibilities............................................................................................... 63
Module8Quiz........................................................................................................................... 66
Module9:TheFutureofHearingLossPrevention(Optional).....................................................68
Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 68
HolisticApproach:LookingatFactorsOtherThanNoise.....................................................68
TaskBasedExposureAssessment........................................................................................ 69
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NewDirectionsinTheoriesaboutSelfProtectiveBehavior................................................71
Module9Quiz........................................................................................................................... 73
AppendixA.................................................................................................................................... 74
SoundLevelMeter ConsiderationsforUse............................................................................ 74
MeasuringImpulse/ImpactSounds.......................................................................................... 74
ANSIStandards.......................................................................................................................... 74
AppendixB.................................................................................................................................... 76
Dosimeter ConsiderationsforUse.......................................................................................... 76
Settings...................................................................................................................................... 76
DosimeterReadout................................................................................................................... 77
AmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI)Standards........................................................78
Glossary......................................................................................................................................... 80
Endnotes....................................................................................................................................... 85
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CourseIntroduction
MillionsAreExposedtoHazardousLevelsofNoiseEachDay
IntheUnitedStates,fourmillionworkersgotoworkeachdayindamagingnoise.Tenmillion
peoplehaveanoiserelatedhearingloss.Occupationalhearinglossisthemostcommonwork
relatedillnessintheUnitedStates. Approximately22millionU.S.workersexposedto
hazardousnoiselevelsatwork,andanadditional9millionexposedtoototoxicchemicals.An
estimated$242millionisspentannuallyonworkerscompensationforhearinglossdisability.
In2007,approximately23,000caseswerereportedofoccupationalhearinglossthatwasgreat
enoughtocausehearingimpairment. In2008,approximately2millionU.S.workerswere
exposedtonoiselevelsatworkthatputthematriskofhearingloss. In2007,approximately
82%ofthecasesinvolvingoccupationalhearinglosswerereportedamongworkersinthe
manufacturingsector. Noiserelatedhearinglosshasbeenlistedasoneofthemostprevalent
occupationalhealthconcernsintheUnitedStatesformorethan25years.Thousandsof
workerseveryyearsufferfrompreventablehearinglossduetohighworkplacenoiselevels.
HighRiskIndustries
Whileanyworkercanbeatriskfornoiseinducedhearinglossintheworkplace,workersin
manyindustrieshavehigherexposurestodangerouslevelsofnoise.Industrieswithhigh
numbersofexposedworkersinclude:agriculture;mining;construction;manufacturingand
utilities;transportation;andmilitary.
Noiseinduced
hearing
loss
is
one
of
the
most
common
occupational
disease
and
the
second
mostselfreportedoccupationalillnessorinjury.Industryspecificstudiesreveal:
44%ofcarpentersand48%ofplumbersreportedthattheyhadaperceivedhearingloss.
49%ofmale,metal/nonmetalminers,willhaveahearingimpairmentbyage50(vs.9%
ofthegeneralpopulation)risingto70%byage60.
Whileanyworkercanbeatriskfornoise
inducedhearinglossintheworkplace,workers
inmanyindustrieshavehigherexposuresto
dangerouslevelsofnoise.Industrieswithhigh
numbersofexposedworkersinclude:
agriculture;mining;construction;
manufacturingandutilities;transportation;and
military.
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Whatsthestandard?
OSHAsetslegallimits,indecibels,onnoiseexposureintheworkplace. Adecibelistheunit
usedtomeasuretheintensityofasoundandwelltalkmoreaboutthislaterinthecourse.
Theselimitsarebasedontheaverageamountoftimeaworkersisexposedtonoiseoveran8
hourday(calledatimeweightedaverage). Itsimportantthatyourefamiliarwithtwo
importantnoiselevellimitsintheworkplace:
1. OSHA'spermissibleexposurelimit(PEL)is90dBAforallworkersforan8hourday.2. OSHArequiresemployerstoimplementaHearingConservationProgramwhereworkersare
exposedtoatimeweightedaveragenoiselevelof85dBAorhigheroveran8hourworkshift.
HearingConservationProgram
OSHAshearingconservationprogramisdesignedtoprotectworkerswithsignificant
occupationalnoiseexposuresfromhearingimpairmenteveniftheyaresubjecttosuchnoise
exposuresovertheirentireworkinglifetimes.
HearingConservationProgramsrequireemployersto:
measurenoiselevels,
providefreeannualhearingexamsandfreehearingprotection,
providetraining,and
conductevaluationsoftheadequacyofthehearingprotectorsinuseunlesschangesto
tools,equipmentandschedulesaremadesothattheyarelessnoisy,andworker
exposuretonoiseislessthanthetimeweightedaverageof85dBAoveran8hourwork
shift.
ThiscoursesummarizestherequiredcomponentofOSHAshearingconservationprogramfor
generalindustry.Itcoversmonitoring,audiometrictesting,hearingprotectors,training,and
recordkeepingrequirements.
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Module1:Thebasics
SoundandNoiseWhatsthedifference?
Sound consistsofpressurechangesina
medium(usuallyair),causedbyvibration
orturbulence.
These
pressure
changes
producewavesemanatingawayfromthe
turbulentorvibratingsource.
Noise isnothingmorethanunwanted
sound. Noiseisoneofthemost
widespreadoccupationalhealthproblems.
Itisabyproductofmanyindustrialprocesses.
Howissoundmeasured?
Soundis
measured
in
two
ways:
decibels
and
frequency.
Decibelsmeasurethepressureofsound.Frequencyisrelatedtoasoundspitchandis
measuredinunitscalledhertz(Hz),orcyclespersecond.Thepitchofasoundhowhighor
lowitseemsishowyouperceiveitsfrequency;thehigherthepitch,thehigherthe
frequency.Highfrequencysoundsaregenerallymoreannoyingthanlowfrequencysoundsand
canbemoreharmfultohearing.
Humanhearingismostsensitivetofrequenciesbetween3,000and4,000Hz.Thatswhypeople
withdamagedhearinghavedifficultyunderstandinghigherpitchedvoicesandothersoundsin
the3,000
to
4,000
Hz
range.
CheckouttheCDCNoiseMeterpagetogetabetterideahowloudisloud.
Howdoestheearwork?
Whensoundwavesentertheouterear,thevibrationsimpacttheeardrumandaretransmitted
tothemiddleandinnerear.
Inthemiddleearthreesmallbonescalledthemalleus(orhammer),theincus(oranvil),andthe
stapes(orstirrup)amplifyandtransmitthevibrationsgeneratedbythesoundtotheinnerear.
Theinner
ear
contains
asnail
like
structure
called
the
cochlea
which
is
filled
with
fluid
and
lined
withcellswithveryfinehairs.Thesemicroscopichairsmovewiththevibrationsandconvert
thesoundwavesintonerveimpulsestheresultisthesoundwehear. Exposuretoloudnoise
candestroythesehaircellsandcausehearingloss!
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ThePerilsofExposure
Exposuretonoiseismeasuredinunitsofsoundpressurelevelscalleddecibels,namedafter
AlexanderGrahamBell,usingAweightedsoundlevels(dBA).TheAweightedsoundlevels
closelymatchtheperceptionofloudnessbythehumanear.
Exposuretohighlevelsofnoisecauseshearinglossandmaycauseotherharmfulhealtheffects
aswell.Theextentofdamagemostlydependsontheintensityofthenoiseandthedurationof
theexposure.
Hearing
loss
caused
by
noise
can
be
temporary
or
permanent.
Temporaryhearinglossresultsfromshorttermexposurestonoise,withnormalhearing
returningafteraperiodofrest.
Prolongedexposuretohighnoiselevelsoveraperiodoftimegraduallycauses
permanentdamage.
Loudnoisecanalsocreatephysicalandpsychologicalstress,reduceproductivity,interferewith
communicationandconcentration,andcontributetoworkplaceaccidentsandinjuriesby
makingitdifficulttohearwarningsignals.
Noiseinducedhearinglosslimitsyourabilitytohearhighfrequencysounds,understand
speech,andseriouslyimpairsyourabilitytocommunicate.
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Theeffectsofhearinglosscanbeprofoundashearinglosscaninterferewithyourabilityto
enjoysocializingwithfriends,playingwithyourchildrenorgrandchildren,orparticipatingin
othersocialactivitiesyouenjoy,andcanleadtopsychologicalandsocialisolation.
Exposuretochemicals
Nolonger
is
noise
considered
to
be
the
only
source
of
hearing
loss
associated
with
work.
Exposuretochemicals,suchasaromaticsolventsandmetalssuchaslead,arsenic,andmercury
canresultinhearingloss.
Combinedexposurestonoiseandchemicalscancausemorehearinglossthanexposureto
eitheragentalone.Vibrationandextremeheatarealsopotentiallyharmfultohearingwhen
combinedwithnoise.
Howdoessounddamagehearing?
Very
loud
sounds
can
damage
the
sensitive
hair
cells
in
your
inner
ear.
Hair
cells
are
the
foot
soldiersforyourhearing.Asthenumberofdamagedhaircellsincreases,yourbrainreceives
fewerimpulsestointerpretassound.Whenyoudamagehaircells,youdamagehearing.
Whileasingleexposuretoloudnoisecandamageyourhaircells,itprobablywontdestroy
them.Youmayexperienceringinginyourearsandsomesoundsmaybemuffled,butyourhair
cellswillrecoverandsowillyourhearing.Thisiscalledatemporarythresholdshift.But
repeatedexposurestoloudnoisecandamagehaircellstothepointthattheywontrecover.
Becausethedamageispermanent,theresultiscalledapermanentthresholdshift.No
treatmentwillrestoreit.Whenyoudestroyhaircells,youdestroyhearing.
Howtoknowifyourhearingisdamaged
Hearinglossispainlessandgradual.Itusuallydevelopsoverseveralyearsyoumightnot
evennoticethelossduringthoseyears.
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Sometimes,overexposuretoloudnoisecantriggerringingorothersoundsinyourears,called
Tinnitus.Whiletinnitusmaybeasymptomofdamagedhearing,itcanalsobecausedby
infections,medications,andearwax.
Theonlywaytoknowforsureifnoisehasdamagedyourhearingistohaveahearing
examinationbyacertifiedaudiometrictechnician,audiologist,otolaryngologist,orphysician.
Ifyouansweryestoanyofthefollowingquestions,yourhearingmaybeatrisk:
Doyoufrequentlyaskpeopletorepeatsentences?
Doyoufeelyourhearingisnotasgoodasitwas10yearsago?
Havefamilymembersnoticedaproblemwithyourhearing?
Areyouexposedtoloudnoisewithouthearingprotectionwhereyouwork?
Doyouhavetoshouttoacoworkerbecauseofthenoisearoundyou?
Areyou
exposed
to
noise
from
firearms,
motorcycles,
snowmobiles,
power
tools,
or
loudmusicwithouthearingprotection?
Congratulations! Yourefinishedwiththefirstmodule. Dontforgettoreviewthequiz.
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Module1Quiz
Usethisquiztoselfcheckyourunderstandingofthemodulecontent.Youcanalsogoonline
andtakethisquizwithinthemodule.Theonlinequizprovidesthecorrectansweronce
submitted.
1.
Soundconsists
of
pressure
changes
in
amedium
(usually
air),
caused
by
_____
or_____.
a. vibration,turbulence
b.
turbulence,noise
c. vibration,noise
d. Bothaandb
2.
Whatisnoise?
a.
Pressurechanges
b. Unwantedsound
c.
Decibels
d. Varyingfrequencies
3.
Betweenwhichfrequenciesishumanhearingmostsensitiveto?
a. 1,000and5,000Hz
b. 3,000and8,000Hz
c. 1,000and2,000Hz
d.
3,000and4,000Hz
4.
Whatarethetwofactorsthatdeterminetheamountofhearinglossaperson
experienceswhenexposedtoloudnoises?
a. Decibelsandfrequency
b.
dBAandAweightedsoundlevels
c. Intensityandduration
d. Soundandnoise
5.
Sometimes,
overexposure
to
loud
noise
can
trigger
ringing
or
other
sounds
in
yourears,called_____.
a. Audiotis
b. Ringitis
c. Frunitus
d.
Tinnitus
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Module2:EvaluatingExposures
WarningSignsofHazardousWorkplaceNoise
Noisemaybeaprobleminyourworkplaceif:
Youhear
ringing
or
humming
in
your
ears
when
youleavework.
Youhavetoshouttobeheardbyacoworkeran
arm'slengthaway.
Youexperiencetemporaryhearinglosswhen
leavingwork.
Noiseinducedhearinglosscandeveloprapidlyinworkers
exposedto
relatively
high
noise
levels
on
adaily
basis.
HowtoevaluateNoiseexposure?
Thefirststeptowardsolvinganynoiseproblemisto
defineit.Tounderstandwhatrequirementsmustbe
implementedaccordingtoOSHA'snoisestandard,itis
necessarytodetermineexposurelevels.Thefollowing
sectionsprovideinformationaboutevaluatingnoise
exposurelevels:
IndicationsofaProblem
WalkaroundSurvey
WorkshiftSampling
InstrumentsUsedtoConductaNoiseSurvey
IndicationsofaProblem
Therearevariousfactorsthatmayindicatenoiseisaproblemintheworkplace.Whilepeople
reactdifferentlytonoise,subjectiveresponsesshouldnotbeignoredbecausetheymay
providewarnings
that
noise
may
be
at
unacceptable
levels.
Noisyconditionscanmakenormalconversationdifficult.
Whennoiselevelsareabove80decibels(dB),peoplehavetospeakveryloudly.
Whennoiselevelsarebetween85and90dB,peoplehavetoshout.
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Whennoiselevelsaregreaterthan95dB,peoplehavetomoveclosetogethertoheareach
otheratall.
Walkaroundsurvey
Awalkaroundsurveyshouldbeperformedtoscreenfornoiseexposuresandtodetermineif
additionalmonitoring
is
necessary.
When
screening
for
noise
exposures,
sound
level
meter
measurementsandestimatesofthedurationofexposurearesufficient.Theresultingspot
readingscanbeusedtodeterminetheneedforamorethoroughevaluation.Thefollowing
generalapproachmaybefollowed:
1. Tourthefacilityanddevelopadetailedunderstandingoffacilityoperationsand
potentialnoisesources.Makenotesonadiagramofthefloorplanifpossible.Lookfor
indicationsthatnoisemaybeaproblem.
2.
Useasoundlevelmetertotakespotreadingsofoperationsthatareinquestion.Itmay
beuseful
to
mark
the
sound
levels
on
adiagram
of
the
floor
plan.
Make
notes
regarding
whatequipmentisonoroff.
3. Estimateexposuresbyidentifyingworkersandtheirlocations,andestimatethelength
oftimetheyspendindifferentareasorhowlongtheyoperateparticularequipmentor
tools.
Iftheresultsofthewalkaroundsurveyindicatetimeweightedaverage(TWA)exposuresof80
dBAormore,thenadditionalnoisemonitoringshouldbeperformed.
WorkshiftSampling
Whenthe
results
of
the
walk
around
survey
indicate
that
the
noise
levels
may
exceed
those
outlinedinOSHA'snoisestandard,additionalmonitoringisnecessary.Establishasampling
protocolforyourworkplace.Ageneralprotocolisprovidedasanexample.
Followthissamplingprotocol:
1. Informtheemployeebeingmonitoredthatthedosimeter(noisesamplingequipment)
shouldnotinterferewithhis/hernormalduties,andemphasizethattheemployee
shouldcontinuetoworkasusual.
2. Explainthepurposeofthedosimetertoeachemployeebeingsampledandemphasize
thatthe
dosimeter
is
not
aspeech
recording
device.
3. Instructtheemployeebeingsamplednottoremovethedosimeterunlessabsolutely
necessaryandnottocoverthemicrophonewithacoatoroutergarmentormoveit
fromitsinstalledposition.Informtheemployeewhenandwherethedosimeterwillbe
removed.
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4. Themicrophoneshouldbelocatedintheemployee'shearingzone.OSHAdefinesthe
hearingzoneasaspherewithatwofootdiametersurroundingthehead.Clipthe
microphonetotheemployee'sclothingaccordingtothemanufacturer'sinstructions.
Mostmanufacturersrecommendthatthemicrophonebeplacedontheshoulderarea
midwaybetweentheheadandthepointoftheshoulder.Practicalityandsafetywill
dictatetheactualmicrophoneplacementateachsurveylocation.
5. Usethemicrophonewindscreentoprotectthemicrophonewhentheweareris
outdoorsorindustyordirtyareas(thewindscreenwillnotprotectthemicrophone
fromrainorextremehumidity).
6.
Whennoiselevelsaredifferentateachoftheemployeesears,thehigherlevelmustbe
sampled.
7.
Positionandsecureanyexcessmicrophonecabletoavoidsnaggingorinconvenienceto
theemployee.Ifpractical,thecordshouldberunundertheemployee'sshirtorcoat.
8. Checkthedosimeterperiodicallytoensurethemicrophoneisproperlyoriented.
9. Obtainandnotesoundlevelmeterreadingsduringdifferentphasesofworkthe
employeeperformsduringtheshift.Thereisnominimumregardingthenumberof
readingstoobtain,butitisimportanttotakeenoughreadingstoidentifyworkcycles.
Forstatisticalreasons,morereadingsshouldbetakenwhennoiselevelsfluctuate
widely.
10.RecordtheinformationrequiredontheOSHA92NoiseSurveyReport.
NoiseSurveyInstruments
Sound
Level
Meter
Therearevariousfactorsthatmayindicatenoiseisaproblemintheworkplace.Whilepeople
reactdifferentlytonoise,subjectiveresponsesshouldnotbeignoredbecausetheymay
providewarningsthatnoisemaybeatunacceptablelevels.Asoundlevelmeter(SLM)isthe
basicinstrumentforinvestigatingnoiselevels.
Forcompliancepurposes,readingswithanANSIType2soundlevelmeteranddosimeterare
consideredtohaveanaccuracyof2dBAwhileaType1instrumenthasanaccuracyof1dBA.
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Soundlevelmeterscanbeusedto:
Spotchecknoisedosimeterperformance.
Determinetheemployee'snoisedosewheneveruseofanoise
dosimeterisunavailableorinappropriate.
Identifyand
evaluate
individual
noise
sources
for
abatement
purposes.
Aidindeterminingthefeasibilityofengineeringcontrolsforindividual
noisesources.
Evaluatehearingprotectors.
PleaserefertoAppendixAifyouwouldliketolearnmoreaboutthe
considerationsofuseforsoundlevelmeters.
Dosimeter
Likeasound
level
meter,
anoise
dosimeter
can
also
measure
sound
levels.However,thedosimeterisactuallywornbytheemployeein
ordertodeterminethepersonalnoisedoseduringtheworkshiftor
samplingperiod. AccordingtoOSHA'snoisestandard,thenoisedosimeteristheprimary
instrumentformakingcompliancemeasurements.
Dosimeterscanbeusedto:
MakecompliancemeasurementsaccordingtoOSHA'snoisestandard.
Measure
the
employee's
exposure
to
noise
and
automatically
compute
the
necessary
noisedosecalculations.
PleaserefertoAppendixBifyouwouldliketolearnmoreabouttheconsiderationsofusefor
adosimeter.
Employees
Wearing
Headsets
are
at
Risk
Noiseoverexposureintheworkplacecanoccurwhereemployeeswearacommunications
headsetaspartoftheiremployment.Clericalpersonnel,aircraftpilotsandothercockpit
personnel,airtrafficcontrollers,emergencypersonnel,reservationclerks,receptionists,and
telephoneoperators
are
just
afew
examples
of
the
more
than
three
million
workers
who
can
beexposedtohighnoiselevelsviacommunication'sheadsets.
Goodjob! Anothermoduledownandsevenmoretogo
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Module2Quiz
Usethisquiztoselfcheckyourunderstandingofthemodulecontent.Youcanalsogoonline
andtakethisquizwithinthemodule.Theonlinequizprovidesthecorrectansweronce
submitted.
1.
Thefirst
step
toward
solving
any
noise
problem
is
to
_____
it.
a. Define
b. Neglect
c. Ignore
d. Avoid
2.
ANSIType2metershaveanaccuracyof_____.
a.
1dBA
b. 2dBA
c.
3dBA
d.
4dBA
3.
AccordingtoOSHAsnoisestandard29CFR1910.95,the_____istheprimary
instrumentformakingcompliancemeasurements.
a. Noisedosimeter
b. AcousticLimitedDevices
c. OctaveBandAnalyzers
d. AudioEqualizer
4.
Canoverexposuretonoiseintheworkplaceoccurwhereemployeesweara
communicationsheadset?
a. Yes
b.
No
5.
Whenmaynoisebeaprobleminyourworkplace?
a. Youhearringingorhumminginyourearswhenyouleavework.
b.
Youhavetoshouttobeheardbyacoworkeranarm'slengthaway.
c. Youexperiencetemporaryhearinglosswhenleavingwork.
d.
Alloftheabove
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Module3:ReducingNoiseRelatedHazards
Introduction
Noisecontrolstrategiesarethefirstlineofdefenseagainstexcessivenoiseexposure.Theuse
ofthesecontrolsshouldaimtoreducethehazardousexposuretothepointwheretheriskto
hearingis
eliminated
or
minimized.
With
the
reduction
of
even
afew
decibels,
the
hazard
to
hearingisreduced,communicationisimproved,andnoiserelatedannoyanceisreduced.There
areseveralwaystocontrolandreduceworkerexposuretonoiseintheworkplace.
EngineeringandAdministrativeControls
Engineeringandadministrativecontrolstrategiesareessentialtoachievinganeffective
hearingconservationandhearingconservationprogram.Engineeringandadministrative
controlsrepresentthefirsttwoprimarystrategiesintheHierarchyofControls:
1.
removethe
hazard
through
engineering
strategies,
and
2.
removetheexposurethroughadministrativestrategies.
Theuseofthesecontrolsshouldreducehazardousexposuretothepointwheretheriskto
hearingiseliminatedoratleastmoremanageable.
Engineeringcontrols
Engineeringcontrolsthatreducesoundexposurelevelsareavailableandtechnologically
feasibleformostnoisesources.Engineeringcontrolsinvolvemodifyingorreplacingequipment,
ormaking
related
physical
changes
at
the
noise
source
or
along
the
transmission
path
to
reduce
thenoiselevelattheworker'sear.Insomeinstances,theapplicationofarelativelysimple
engineeringnoisecontrolsolutionreducesthenoisehazardtotheextentthatfurther
requirementsoftheOSHANoisestandard(e.g.,audiometrictesting(hearingtests),hearing
conservationprogram,provisionofhearingprotectors,etc)arenotnecessary.Examplesof
inexpensive,effectiveengineeringcontrolsincludesomeofthefollowing:
Chooselownoisetoolsandmachinery(e.g.,BuyQuietRoadmap(NASA)).
Maintainandlubricatemachineryandequipment(e.g.,oilbearings).
Placeabarrierbetweenthenoisesourceandemployee(e.g.,soundwallsorcurtains).
Encloseorisolatethenoisesource.
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Examples
of
Engineering
Controls
Forhearinglosspreventionpurposes,engineeringcontrolsaredefinedasanymodificationor
replacementofequipment,orrelatedphysicalchangeatthenoisesourceoralongthe
transmissionpath(withtheexceptionofhearingprotectors)thatreducesthenoiselevelatthe
employee'sear.
Typicalengineeringcontrolsinvolve:
1.Reducingnoiseatthesource.
2.Interruptingthenoisepath.
3.Reducingreverberation.
4.Reducingstructurebornevibration.
Commonexamplesoftheimplementationofsuchcontrolsare:
1.Installingamuffler.
2.Erectingacousticalenclosuresandbarriers.
3.Installingsoundabsorbingmaterial.
4.Installingvibrationmountsandprovidingproperlubrication.
Assessingtheapplicabilityofengineeringcontrolsisasophisticatedprocess.
First,thenoiseproblemmustbedefined.Thisnecessitatesmeasuringthenoiselevels
anddevelopingcompleteinformationonemployeenoiseexposureandtheneedfor
noisereduction.
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Next,anapproachtoengineeringcontrolmustbedeveloped,requiringthe
identificationofindividualnoisesourcesandassessmentoftheircontributionstothe
overallnoiselevels.
Whenchoosingthemostapplicableengineeringcontrols,youwillneedtoconsiderthecostof
purchasing,operating,servicing,andmaintainingthecontrol.Forthisreason,engineering,
safety,andindustrialhygienepersonnel,aswellasemployeeswhooperate,service,and
maintainequipment,mustbeinvolvedinthenoisecontrolplan.
Employeeswhoworkwiththeequipmentonadailybasiswillbeabletoprovidevaluable
guidanceonsuchimportantmattersasthepositioningofmonitoringindicatorsandpanels,
lubricationandservicingpoints,controlswitches,andtheproperlocationofaccessdoorsfor
operationandmaintenance.
Insituationswhereemployeeswillbeworkingonoraroundequipmentfittedwithengineering
controls,itisimportanttoexplaintoeveryoneinvolvedwhythecontrolsshouldnotbe
modified,removed,orotherwisedefeated.
AdministrativeControls
Administrativecontrolsarechangesintheworkplacethatreduceoreliminateworker
exposuretonoise,examplesinclude:
Operatingnoisymachinesduringshiftswhenfewerpeopleareexposed.
Limitingtheamountoftimeapersonspendsatanoisesource.
Providingquiet
areas
where
workers
can
gain
relief
from
hazardous
noise
sources
(e.g.,
constructasoundproofroomwhereworkers'hearingcanrecoverdependingupon
theirindividualnoiselevelanddurationofexposure,andtimespentinthequietarea).
Restrictingworkerpresencetoasuitable
distanceawayfromnoisyequipment.
Controllingnoiseexposurethroughdistance
isoftenaneffective,yetsimpleand
inexpensiveadministrativecontrol.This
controlmaybeapplicablewhenworkersare
presentbut
are
not
actually
working
with
a
noisesourceorequipment.Increasingthe
distancebetweenthenoisesourceandtheworker,reducestheirexposure.Inopen
space,foreverydoublingofthedistancebetweenthesourceofnoiseandtheworker,
thenoiseisdecreasedby6dBA.
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ManagementResponsibilities
Management'sprimaryresponsibilitiesaretomakesurethatpotentiallycontrollablenoise
sourcesareidentified,andthatprioritiesforcontrolsaresetandaccomplished.Forthis
purpose,managementneedstoallocatetheappropriateresourcesandengageoutsideservices
oridentifycapablepersonnelinhouse.
Itisalsomanagement'sresponsibilitytoseethatanychangesofequipmentorprocessare
doneonlyafterevaluationoftheirimpactonemployeenoiseexposure.
Thepurchaseofquieternewequipmentcanbeveryhelpful,butisusuallyaccomplishedonly
withexplicitspecification,andoccasionallysomepressureontheequipmentmanufacturers.
Sometimesthecompanymustbewillingtopaymoreforquieterequipment,butthese
expendituresshouldbecosteffectiveinthelongrun.
Implementingabuyquietprogramcansignificantlyreducetheamountoftimeittakesfor
workplacenoisetonolongerbehazardous.
Oftenanoisecontroleffortmayseemtobeoverwhelming.Asaresult,thecompanymay
decidethatnoisecontrolisnotfeasibleandinsteadrelyonhearinglosspreventionmeasuresto
preventhearingloss.However,ifnoisesourcesaretakenononeatatime,dealingwiththe
noisiestoreasiesttoquietsourcesfirst,theproblemcanbecomemanageableovertimesothat
hearinglosspreventionmeasureswillbeneededonlyuntilthenoiseisreducedtoasafelevel.
Manytimestwohazardscanbereducedoreliminatedatoncesuchasinthecaseofenclosinga
noisymachinethatgenerateshighheatlevelsaswell.Theenclosurecantrapthenoiseandthe
heatcanbeventedofftotheoutside.
Managersmayneedtocommitresourcesforinhousedevelopmentoftechnologytocontrol
exposureproblemsspecifictotheircompaniesandprocesses.Insomecases,theymayneedto
budgetformaintenanceofexposurecontroldevicestopreventtheirdeteriorationovertime.
Finally,theyshouldmakesurethatlunchandbreakareasareasfreefromnoisehazardsas
reasonablypossible,andthatotheravenuesofadministrativecontrolshavebeenexplored.
EmployeeResponsibilities
Employeeswhooperateormaintainandrepairtheequipmentareoftentheoneswhoknow
mostabouttheprocessesinvolved,theyneedtoexpresstheirconcernsandideasto
management,theprogramimplementer,orthenoisecontrolengineersothatthenoise
controldeviceswillbeaspracticalandeffectiveaspossible.Employeeassistanceisespecially
criticaltothesuccessofengineeringnoisesurveyswheresoundsourceswithinaworkprocess
orapieceofequipmentneedtobeevaluated,andonlytheemployeeknowstheproper
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operationoftheequipment.Employeesalsoneedtocooperatebymaintainingtheirnormal
workroutinewhenaskedtoweardosimeters,sothattheresultswillberepresentativeoftheir
actualexposures.
Soundlevelsoftenincreasewhenequipmentbeginstowearorfailstoreceiveappropriate
maintenance.Also,
changes
in
equipment
placement
may
cause
unintended
effects
on
sound
levels.Whenemployeesnoticesuchchanges,theyneedtoinformthesupervisorypersonnelor
theprogramimplementerthatachangehasoccurred.Aresurveywillbeneededtoevaluate
thenewsoundlevelsandemployeeexposureswheneverequipmentorproductionchanges
occur.
Employeesalsohavetheresponsibilityoflearningtooperatetheirmachineswiththenoise
controlsinplace,ofmaintainingthecontrolsproperly,andofnotifyingtheappropriate
personnelwhenadditionalmaintenanceisneeded.
Greatwork! Thatstheendofmodulethree,goodluckonthequiz.
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Module3Quiz
Usethisquiztoselfcheckyourunderstandingofthemodulecontent.Youcanalsogoonline
andtakethisquizwithinthemodule.Theonlinequizprovidesthecorrectansweronce
submitted.
1.
Typicalengineering
controls
involve
all
of
the
following
except
_____.
a. reducingnoiseatthesource
b. interruptingthenoisepath
c.
reducingreverberation
d.
redesignoftheequipment
2.
Insituationswhereemployeeswillbeworkingonoraroundequipmentfitted
withengineeringcontrols,itisimportanttoexplaintoeveryoneinvolvedwhy
thecontrolsshouldnotbemodified,removed,orotherwisedefeated?
a.
True
b. False
3.
Whatareadministrativecontrols?
a. Changesintheworkplacethatreplaceequipment.
b. Changesintheworkplacethatincreasetheworkerexposuretonoise.
c.
Changesintheworkplacethatreduceoreliminatetheworkerexposureto
noise.
d.
Changes
in
the
workplace
that
modify
equipment.
4.
WhichofthechoicesbelowareexamplesofAdministrativecontrols?
a. Providequietareasforworkers
b. Restrictworkerstoasuitabledistanceawayfromnoise
c. Interruptingthenoisepath
d. Bothaandb
e. Alloftheabove
5.
_____and_____controlsrepresentthefirsttwoprimarystrategiesinthe
Hierarchyof
Controls.
a. Engineeringandmanagement
b. Engineeringandadministrative
c.
Administrativeandmanagement
d.
Managementandemployee
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Module4:HearingConservationPrograms
Introduction
Hearingconservationprogramsstrivetopreventinitialoccupationalhearingloss,preserveand
protectremaininghearing,andequipworkerswiththeknowledgeandhearingprotection
devicesnecessary
to
safeguard
themselves.
Employers
are
required
to
measure
noise
levels;
providefreeannualhearingexams,hearingprotection,andtraining;andconductevaluations
oftheadequacyofthehearingprotectorsinuse(unlesschangesmadetotools,equipment,
andschedulesresultinworkernoiseexposurelevelsthatarelessthanthe85dBA).Research
indicatesthatworkplaceswithappropriateandeffectivehearingconservationprogramshave
higherlevelsofworkerproductivityandalowerincidenceofabsenteeism.
Whatconstitutesaneffectivehearingconservationprogram?
Aneffectivehearingconservationprogramcanpreventhearingloss,improveemployeemorale
andageneral
feeling
of
well
being,
increase
quality
of
production,
and
reduce
the
incidence
of
stressrelateddisease.
Theemployershouldadministeracontinuing,effectivehearingconservationprogram
wheneveremployeenoiseexposuresareatoraboveaneighthourtimeweightedaverage
(TWA)of85dBAor,equivalently,adoseof50percent.
ProgramElements
AsdetailedinOSHAs1910.95rule,theelementsofaneffectivehearingconservationprogram
are:
MonitoringProgram
AudiometricTestingProgram
HearingProtectionDevices(HPDs)
EmployeeTrainingandEducation
Recordkeeping
Therearealsospecifichearingconservationprogramrequirementsforagricultural,maritime,
andconstructionworksites.
MonitoringProgram
Theemployermustdevelopandimplementamonitoringprogramwheneverinformation
indicatesthatanyemployee'sexposuremayequalorexceedtheactionlevel.
Thesamplingstrategymustbedesignedtoidentifyallemployeesforinclusioninthe
hearingconservationprogram,andenabletheproperselectionofhearingprotectors.
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Programimplementersshouldalsobegivenresourcesandfacilitiestotrainemployeesinthe
useandcareofhearingprotectors.
Enforcement
Enforcingtheuseofhearingprotectorsismanagement'ssecondvitalresponsibility.
Hearing
Protection
Devices
(HPDs)
Basic
Requirements
Hearingprotectiondevices(HPDs),whichareaformofpersonal
protectionequipment(PPE),areconsideredthelastoptiontocontrol
exposurestonoise.HPDsaregenerallyusedduringthenecessarytimeit
takestoimplementengineeringoradministrativecontrols,orwhensuch
controlsarenotfeasible.
EmployersmustmakeHPDsavailabletoallemployeesexposedatorabovethe
actionlevel.Thesemustbeprovidedatnocosttoemployeesandmustbereplaced
as
necessary.
EmployersmustensurethatHPDsarewornbyemployees:wherefeasible
administrativeandengineeringcontrolsfailtoreducesoundlevelswithinthose
listedinTableG16of29CFR1910.95(i)(2)(ii)(A)andwho
o havenotyethadabaselineaudiogramestablishedor
o haveexperiencedastandardthresholdshift(STS).
HPD
Selection
and
Use
Itisessentialtothesuccessoftheprogramtohavesomeoneresponsiblefortheselectionof
hearingprotection
devices
and
the
supervision
of
their
use.
They
must
be
able
to
evaluate
and
selectappropriatedevicesforeachemployee,basedonproperfit,theemployee'snoise
exposure,hearingability,communicationneeds,personalpreferencesandotherconstraints
imposedbyjobtasksorworkenvironment.
Useofpersonalsafetyequipment,suchashearingprotectors,mustbe
clearlystatedasaconditionofemployment,andmanagementshouldbe
prepared
to
deal
accordingly
with
those
who
violate
the
policy.
Those
who
havedecidednottowearhearingprotectioninnoisyareasalsohave
decidednottoworkforthecompany.
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Noteverypersoncanweareveryhearingprotector.Somepeoplemaybeunabletowear
certaintypesofearplugsbecauseoftheshapeorsizeoftheirearcanals.Becauseofindividual
differencesintheshapesandsizesofheads,somepeoplewillbeunabletowearsome
earmuffs.Individualassessmentofcomfortandabilitytotolerateprolongeduseofagiven
devicecannotbepredictedandwillvarywidelybetweenindividuals.Also,someprotectorsmay
beincompatiblewithdifferingsafetyandprotectivedevices.
Therefore,programimplementersmustmakeavarietyofdevicesavailable.Preferably,
programimplementersshouldmakeavailableasetofdevicesthathavebeenpilottestedfor
effectivenessandemployeeacceptance.
FittingHPDs
Whenfittinghearingprotectors,attentionneedstobegiventoeachear.Itisnotuncommon
forapersontohaverightandleftearcanalsthataredifferentsizesandmust,therefore,be
fittedwithearplugsthatareseparatelysizedforeachear.Earcanalsshouldbeinspectedto
assurethatnophysicalproblems,suchasinfectionsorexcessiveearwax,willcompromiseor
complicatetheuseofhearingprotectors.
EmployeesmustbegiventheopportunitytoselecttheirHPDsfromasuitablevariety.
Generally,thisshouldincludeaminimumoftwodevices,representativeofatleasttwo
differenttypes.
TheemployermustprovidetrainingintheuseandcareofallHPDsprovidedto
employees.
Theemployer
must
ensure
proper
initial
fitting
of
HPDs
and
supervise
their
correct
use.
Programimplementersshouldbealertforcommonpitfallsassociatedwithuseandcareof
hearingprotectors.Forexample,motorcyclehelmets,personalstereoheadsets,swimmer's
earplugs,andhearingaidscannotbesubstitutedforhearingprotectors.Programimplementers
shouldbeproactiveinworkingwithemployeestoavoidsuchpitfalls.
HPDAttenuation
AttenuationreferstothedampingordecreaseofnoiselevelsasaresultofwearingHPDs.
TheemployermustevaluateHPDattenuationforthespecificnoiseenvironmentsin
whichthe
HPD
will
be
used.
HPDsmustattenuateemployeeexposuretoatleastaneighthourtimeweighted
averageof90dBA.
Foremployeeswhohaveexperiencedastandardthresholdshift(STS),HPDsmust
attenuateexposureatorbelowtheactionlevelof85dBATWA(timeweighted
average).
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TheadequacyoftheHPDsmustbereevaluatedwheneveremployeenoiseexposures
increasetotheextentthattheymaynolongerprovideadequateattenuation.The
employermustprovidemoreeffectivehearingprotectorsasnecessary.
EmployerneedstoknowandunderstandthemethodsforestimatingHPDattenuation.
HearingProtectionLabeling
WhenOSHAdisseminateditsHearingConservationAmendmentin1983,itincorporatedthe
EPAlabelingrequirementsforhearingprotectors,whichrequiredmanufacturerstoidentifythe
noisereductioncapabilityofallhearingprotectorsonthehearingprotectorpackage.This
measureisreferredtoasthenoisereductionrating(NRR).Itisalaboratoryderivednumerical
estimateoftheattenuationachievedbytheprotector.Itbecameevidentthattheamountof
protectionuserswerereceivingintheworkplacewiththeprescribedhearingprotectorsdidnot
correlatewiththeattenuationindicatedbytheNRR.
OSHAacknowledged
that
in
most
cases,
the
NRR
overstated
the
protection
afforded
to
workers
andrequiredtheapplicationforcertaincircumstancesofasafetyfactorof50%totheNRR,
aboveandbeyondthe7dBsubtractioncalledforwhenusingAweightedmeasurements.For
example,consideraworkerwhoisexposedto98dBAfor8hoursandwhosehearing
protectorshaveanNRRof25dB.Wecanestimatetheworkersresultantexposureusingthe
50%safetyfactor.Theworkersresultantexposureis89dBAinthiscase.
The50%safetyfactoradjustslabeledNRRvaluesforworkplaceconditionsandisusedwhen
consideringwhetherengineeringcontrolsaretobeimplemented.
EstimateddBAexposure=TWA(dBA) [(257)x50%]=89dBA
In1997,ANSIpublishedanewtestmethod(subjectfit)formeasuringtherealearattenuation
ofhearingprotectors(ANSIS12.61997).Thismethodprovidesmorerepresentativeestimates
oftherealworldperformanceofhearingprotectors.Itattemptstobetterapproximatethe
protectionattainedinrealworkplacesbyusinguntrainedsubjectsinthetestmethod(theonly
instructiontheyreceiveistheinstructionthatcomeswiththepackage)tocloselyreplicatereal
worldusers.
Somemanufacturersofhearingprotectorsaretestingtheirproductsaccordingtothesubject
fitmethodofANSIS12.61997.Youmaycontactthemanufacturertorequestsuchdata.
Inthefuture,hearingprotectormanufacturerswhovoluntarilytesttheirproductaccordingto
thesubjectfitmethodmaychoosetopublishtheprotector'sattenuationdata.
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EmployeeTrainingandEducation
Theemployermustinstituteatrainingprogramforallemployeeswithnoiseexposuresator
abovetheactionlevelandensureemployeeparticipation.
Trainingmustberepeatedannuallyforeachemployeeinthehearingconservation
program.[29CFR1910.95(k)(2)]
Informationmustbeupdatedtobeconsistentwithchangesinprotectiveequipment
andworkprocesses.[29CFR1910.95(k)(2)]
Anemployeesfailuretocorrectlyinsertanearplugoradjustanearmuffarearguablythechief
culpritsresponsiblefordiminishedrealworldhearingprotection.Thus,evenifanemployeehas
beenissuedacorrectlysizedhearingprotectorandhasbeentrainedinitsuseandcare,itis
quitepossiblethatheorshecouldreceivelittleornoeffectivehearingprotectionbecauseofa
faultyfit.Employeesmustresolvetoweartheirhearingprotectioncorrectly,ortheywillgreatly
reduceits
ability
to
prevent
harmful
noise
from
damaging
their
hearing.
Willfulfailuretowearhearingprotectionshouldbetakenseriously.Employeesshouldconsider
thatmanagementisresponsibleforensuringcompliancewithhealthandsafetyrequirements.
Shouldemployeesfailtoweartheirhearingprotection,managementcanbeheldaccountable
andmaybecitedandpenalizedfornoncompliancewithhealthandsafetyregulations.
Partoftheemployeesresponsibilitytowardwearingtheirhearingprotectoristocultivatea
vigilantattitudeabouthearingprotection.Employeesshouldexpecttheirhearingprotectorsto
slipor
work
lose
over
aperiod
of
time.
Throughout
their
work
shift,
employees
must
periodicallychecktoseeiftheyneedtoreadjustorrefittheirprotectorinordertomaintaina
reliablefit.
Hearingprotectorsbreakandbecomeworn.Employeesalsoneedtochecktheirprotector
regularlyandtoseekrepairorreplacementwhenevernecessary.Lastly,theycanhelpeach
otherbyencouragingtheircoworkerstousehearingprotectorsandtoseekhelpwhenthey
haveproblems.
Employeesmust
guard
against
acquiring
afalse
sense
of
safety.
As
the
discussion
and
figures
in
thissectionhaveillustrated,itiseasytomisusehearingprotectorsandgreatlyreducetheir
effectiveness.EmployeesCANprevailovermosthearinghealthhazardsifthey:1)properly
weartheirhearingprotectors,2)exerciseacommitmenttoweartheirhearingprotectors
consistently,and3)maintaintheirhearingprotectorsbyrepairingorreplacingthemwhen
necessary.
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Theemployermustensurethateachemployeeisinformedofthefollowing:
Theeffectsofnoiseonhearing.
Thepurposeofhearingprotectors;advantages,disadvantagesandattenuationof
varioustypes;andinstructionsonselection,fitting,useandcare.
Thepurpose
of
audiometric
testing
and
an
explanation
of
test
procedures.
AccesstoInformationandTrainingMaterials
Theemployermust:
Makecopiesofthenoisestandardavailabletoaffectedemployeesortheirrepresentativesand
postacopyintheworkplace.
Provideaffectedemployeeswithanyinformationalmaterialspertainingtothestandardthatare
suppliedtotheemployerbyOSHA.
Provide,uponrequest,allmaterialrelatingtotheemployer'strainingandeducationprogramto
OSHA.
Greatjob! Yourenearlyhalfwaythroughtheprogram
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Module4Quiz
Usethisquiztoselfcheckyourunderstandingofthemodulecontent.Youcanalsogoonline
andtakethisquizwithinthemodule.Theonlinequizprovidesthecorrectansweronce
submitted.
1.
Whatis
considered
the
last
option
to
control
exposures
to
noise?
a. Hearingprotectiondevices(HPDs)
b.
Engineeringcontrols
c.
Newequipmentwithsoundabsorbingenhancements
d.
Bothbandc
2. Whataremanagementstworolesinensuringthathearingprotectiondevices
protecthearingeffectively?
a. facilitationandenforcement
b. disciplineandenforcement
c. correctiveactionandfacilitation
d.
employeeparticipation
and
encouragement
3.
EmployersmustmakeHPDsavailabletoallemployeesexposedatorabovethe
actionlevel.Thesemustbeprovided_____.
a. atnocosttoemployees
b. mustbereplacedasnecessaryc. onanannualbasis
d. Bothaandb
e. Alloftheabove
4. EmployeesmustbegiventheopportunitytoselecttheirHPDsfromasuitable
variety.Generally,
this
should
include
aminimum
of
_____
devices,
representativeofatleasttwodifferenttypes.
a. one
b. two
c. three
d. four
5.
Whatistheactionlevelatwhichtheemployermustinstituteatraining
programforallemployeeswithnoiseexposuresandensuretheir
participation?
a.
80dBA
b. 85dBA
c. 90dBA
d. 100dBA
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6.
Howoftenmusttrainingbecompletedforeachemployeeinthehearing
conservationprogram?
a. annually
b.
biannually
c. everysixmonths
d.
everytwo
years
7. Theemployermustprovidetraininginthe_____and_____ofallHPDs
providedtoemployees.
a. care,limitations
b. use,care
c. use,limitations
d. benefits,limitations
8. Theemployermustensuretheproper_____ofHPDsandsupervisetheir
correctuse.
a. initialfitting
b. color
c. safetyrating
d.
Bothbandc
e. Alloftheabove
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Module5: HearingConservationProgramBenefits
Introduction
Whenacompanyhasaneffectivehearingconservationprogram,everyonewinsthe
employers,theemployees,andthesafetyandhealthprofessionalswhoimplementthe
program.This
course
is
not
about
minimal
criteria
that
meet
only
the
letter
of
the
law.
It
is
concernedwithprogramsthatareeffectiveaswellasefficient:thoseoptimizingprogram
elementsthatsucceedinpreventinghearinglossinapracticalandcosteffectivemanner.
TheCosts
InWashingtonState,workers'compensationdisabilitysettlementsforhearingrelated
conditionscost$4.8millionin1991(notincludingmedicalcosts).Whenappliedtothenational
workforce,occupationalhearinglosscostsanestimated$242.4millionperyearindisability
alone.
Thisfiguredoesnotincludemedicalcostsorpersonalcostswhichcanincludeapproximately
$1500forahearingaidandaround$300peryearforbatteries.Moreover,workers'
compensationdataisanunderestimateofthetruefrequencyofoccupationalillness,
representingonlythetipoftheiceberg.
InBritishColumbia,inafiveyearperiodfrom1994to1998,theworkers'compensationboard
paid$18millioninpermanentdisabilityawardsto3,207workerssufferinghearingloss.An
additional$36millionwaspaidoutforhearingaids.
Through
their
hearing
conservation
program,
the
U.S.
Army
saved
$504.3
million
by
reducing
hearinglossamongcombatarmspersonnelbetween1974and1994.TheDepartmentof
VeteransAffairssaved$220.8millionandtheArmyanadditional$149millionbyreducing
civilianhearinglossbetween1987and1997.
EmployerBenefits
Agoodhearingconservationprogramisgoodbusiness.Itpromotesgoodlaborrelations
becauseemployeesknowthatmanagementisconcerned,andthistypeofconcernmay
translatetoimprovedproductivityandproductquality.Indeed,noiseitselfcanhaveanadverse
effectonproductivity.Forcomplexjobsandthoserequiringconcentration,studiesshowthat
greaterefficiency
is
linked
to
lower
noise
levels.
Also,
the
ease
and
accuracy
of
communication
isimprovedasnoiselevelsarelowered.Thesebenefitsshouldprovetobecosteffectivefor
management.Additionally,thepreventionofhearinglossleadstothepreservationofvaluable
employeeresources.
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Versatility,adaptability,
and
promotability
of
employees
are
likely
to
be
maintained
when
employeesretaingoodhearing.Moralemayalsobenefit,whichshouldleadtogreater
employeesatisfactionandretention.Ofcourse,employerswhotaketheappropriate
preventiveactionnowwillgreatlyreducetheriskoffutureclaims.Aswithothereffective
healthandsafetymeasures,hearingconservationprogramsshouldalsoextendbeyondthe
workplace.
Finally,thecompanythatplacesahighvalueonsafetyandhealthmaintenanceshouldevaluate
theperformanceofmanagersresponsibleforhearingconservationprogramsandrewardthose
whoseprogramssucceedinpreventinghearingloss. Aneffectivehearingconservation
programcostsmoneytoimplement,butthenecessaryinvestmentwillproduceabeneficial
return.
EmployeeBenefits
Thehearingconservationprogram'smostobviousbenefittoemployeesisthatitsavestheir
hearingandabilitytocommunicate.Becauseoccupationalhearinglosscreepsupslowly,many
individualsareunawareoftheirimpairmentuntilitistoolate.Moreover,occupationalhearing
lossrepresentspermanentdamage,i.e.,itcannotberestoredthroughmedical/surgical
treatment.Agoodhearingconservationprogram,however,canidentifyminorchangesin
hearing,andpreventdeteriorationtothepointwhereitispermanent.Employeeswhohave
laboredfor35or40yearsshouldbeabletoenjoytheirretirement;theyshouldbeableto
socializewith
family
and
friends,
and
listen
to
music
and
the
sounds
of
nature.
Studiesofnoisycompaniesthathaveimplementedhearinglossprevention
programsshowreductionsinaccidentrates,illnesses,andlosttime.
Thecompanythatencouragesemployeestotaketheirearplugshometo
wearduringwoodworking,targetpractice,orothernoisyoffdutyactivities
isreducing
the
possibility
of
illegitimate
work
related
claims,
as
well
as
educatingtheemployeestotheneedforhearinglosspreventionin
recreationalsettings.
Hearinglossduetonoiseappearsduringthefirstfivetotenyearsofexposure,
soyoungworkersareatmostriskofnoiseinducedhearingloss.
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Preventinghearinglossbenefitsemployeesallthroughlife,notjustinretirement,sincethe
abilitytocommunicateiscriticalinallofourinterpersonalrelationships.Whengoodhearingis
aprerequisiteforajob,aneffectivehearingconservationprogramwillenableemployeesto
sustaintheirhearingabilityandthuscontinuetoqualifyforjobs(perhapshigherlevel)that
havesuchrequirements.
Anotherbenefitreportedbyemployeesincompanieswitheffectivehearingconservation
programsisthattheygenerallyfeelbetter;lesstiredandirritable.Theysometimesreportthat
theysleepbetteratnight,andtheyarenolongerbotheredbytemporaryreductionsinhearing
abilityattheendoftheday,orbythetinnitus(ringingintheears)thatoftenaccompaniesthe
developmentofnoiseinducedhearingloss.
Thereisalsoevidencethatlongtermnoiseexposuremaycontributetostressrelateddisease,
especiallycardiovasculardisease.Byreducingnoise,thechancesofotherhealthimpairments
areconsequentlycontrolledandreduced.Noisereductionandmaintenanceofhearing
sensitivitycanbenefitsafetybecauseemployeesarebetterabletocommunicate,andtohear
alarmsandwarningshouts.Goodhearingisessentialformoresubtlewarningsignals,suchasa
malfunctioningmachineorthesoundsof"rooftalk"inundergroundmines.
Insummary,agoodhearingconservationprogramisconsistentwithgoodhealthandgood
business.Ataminimum,employeesbenefitwithgoodhearing.Reductionsinnoiseexposure
mayalsoresultinlessfatigueandirritation,andpossiblyfewerstressrelatedhealth
complaints.Thecompanybenefitsfromreducedworkercompensationpaymentsandmedical
expenses,andareducedlikelihoodofanOSHAcitationforhearingconservationviolations.
Reducednoiseexposuresalsocanbeassociatedwithimprovedemployeemorale,and,insome
cases,higherproductionefficiency.
Thatconcludesmodulefive Keepitup.
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Module5Quiz
Usethisquiztoselfcheckyourunderstandingofthemodulecontent.Youcanalsogoonline
andtakethisquizwithinthemodule.Theonlinequizprovidesthecorrectansweronce
submitted.
1.
Forcomplex
jobs
and
those
requiring
concentration,
studies
show
that
greater
efficiencyislinkedto_____.
a. notusinghearingprotection
b. highernoiselevels
c.
lowernoiselevels
d. bothaandb
2.
The_____ofemployeesislikelytobemaintainedwhenemployeesretain
goodhearing.
a. versatility
b.
adaptability
c. promotability
d.
Alloftheabove
3.
Whoismoreatriskofdevelopinghearingloss?
a. Aworkerexposedtonoisefor1012years.
b.
Aworkerexposedtonoisethefirst510years.
c. Aworkerexposedtonoisefor1015years.
d.
Noneoftheabove
4.
Studies
of
noisy
companies
that
have
implemented
hearing
conservation
programsshowreductionsin_____.
a. accidentrates
b. illnesses
c. losttime
d. Alloftheabove
5.
Manyindividualsareunawareoftheirhearingimpairmentuntilitistoolate.
a.
True
b.
False
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Module6: HearingConservation:RequiredMonitoring
Thehearingconservationprogramrequiresemployerstomonitornoiseexposurelevelsina
waythataccuratelyidentifiesemployeesexposedtonoiseatorabove85decibels(dB)
averaged
over
8
working
hours,
or
an
8
hour
time
weighted
average
(TWA).
Employersmustmonitorallemployeeswhosenoiseexposureisequivalenttoorgreaterthana
noiseexposurereceivedin8hourswherethenoiselevelisconstantly85dB.
Theexposuremeasurementmustincludeallcontinuous,intermittent,andimpulsivenoise
withinan80dBto130dBrangeandmustbetakenduringatypicalworksituation.
Thisrequirementisperformanceorientedbecauseitallowsemployerstochoosethe
monitoring
method
that
best
suits
each
individual
situation.
Whenmusttheemployerrepeatmonitoring?
Employersmustrepeatmonitoringwheneverchangesinproduction,process,orcontrols
increasenoiseexposure.Thesechangesmaymeanthatmoreemployeesneedtobeincludedin
theprogramorthattheirhearingprotectorsmaynolongerprovideadequateprotection.
Whatisaudiometrictesting?
Audiometrictestingmonitorsanemployeeshearingovertime.Italsoprovidesanopportunity
foremployerstoeducateemployeesabouttheirhearingandtheneedtoprotectit.The
employermustestablishandmaintainanaudiometrictestingprogram.
Theimportantelementsoftheprograminclude:
baselineaudiograms
annualaudiograms
training,and
followupprocedures
Employersmustmakeaudiometrictestingavailableatnocosttoallemployeeswhoare
exposedto
an
action
level
of
85
dB
or
above,
measured
as
an
8hour
TWA.
The
audiometric
testingprogramfollowupshouldindicatewhethertheemployershearingconservation
programispreventinghearingloss.
Alicensedorcertifiedaudiologist,otolaryngologist,orotherphysicianmustberesponsiblefor
theprogram.Bothprofessionalsandtrainedtechniciansmayconductaudiometrictesting.The
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professionalinchargeoftheprogramdoesnothavetobepresentwhenaqualifiedtechnician
conductstests.Theprofessionalsresponsibilitiesinclude:
overseeingtheprogramandtheworkofthetechnicians
reviewingproblemaudiograms,and
determiningwhetherreferralisnecessary.
Theemployeeneedsareferralforfurthertestingwhentestresultsarequestionableorwhen
relatedmedicalproblemsaresuspected.Ifadditionaltestingisnecessaryoriftheemployer
suspectsamedicalpathologyoftheearthatiscausedoraggravatedbywearinghearing
protectors,theemployermustrefertheemployeeforaclinicalaudiologicalevaluation.There
aretwotypesofaudiogramsrequiredinthehearingconservationprogram:baselineand
annualaudiograms.
Whatisabaselineaudiogram?
Thebaseline
audiogram
is
the
reference
audiogram
against
which
future
audiograms
are
compared.Employersmustprovidebaselineaudiogramswithin6monthsofanemployeesfirst
exposureatorabovean8hourTWAof85dB.Anexceptionisallowedwhentheemployeruses
amobiletestvanforaudiograms.Intheseinstances,baselineaudiogramsmustbecompleted
within1yearafteranemployeesfirstexposuretoworkplacenoiseatoraboveaTWAof85dB.
Employees,however,mustbefittedwith,issued,andrequiredtowearhearingprotectors
whenevertheyareexposedtonoiselevelsaboveaTWAof85dBforanyperiodexceeding6
monthsaftertheirfirstexposureuntilthebaselineaudiogramisconducted.Employeesshould
notbeexposedtoworkplacenoisefor14hoursbeforethebaselinetestorwearhearing
protectorsduring
this
time
period.
Whatareannualaudiograms?
Employersmustprovideannualaudiogramswithin1yearofthebaseline.Itisimportanttotest
workershearingannuallytoidentifydeteriorationintheirhearingabilityasearlyaspossible.
Thisenablesemployerstoinitiateprotectivefollowupmeasuresbeforehearingloss
progresses.
Employersmustcompareannualaudiogramstobaselineaudiogramstodeterminewhetherthe
audiogramis
valid
and
whether
the
employee
has
lost
hearing
ability
or
experienced
astandard
thresholdshift(STS).AnSTSisanaverageshiftineitherearof10dBormoreat2,000,3,000,
and4,000hertz.
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Whatisanemployerrequiredtodofollowinganaudiogramevaluation?
TheemployermustfitorrefitanyemployeeshowinganSTSwithadequatehearingprotectors,
showtheemployeehowtousethem,andrequiretheemployeetowearthem.Employersmust
notifyemployeeswithin21daysafterthedeterminationthattheiraudiometrictestresults
showanSTS.
SomeemployeeswithanSTSmayneedfurthertestingiftheprofessionaldeterminesthattheir
testresultsarequestionableoriftheyhaveanearproblemthoughttobecausedoraggravated
bywearinghearingprotectors.Ifthesuspectedmedicalproblemisnotthoughttoberelatedto
wearinghearingprotection,theemployermustadvisetheemployeetoseeaphysician.
IfsubsequentaudiometrictestsshowthattheSTSidentifiedonapreviousaudiogramisnot
persistent,employeeswhoseexposuretonoiseislessthanaTWAof90dBmaystopwearing
hearingprotectors.
Theemployermaysubstituteanannualaudiogramfortheoriginalbaselineaudiogramifthe
professionalsupervisingtheaudiometricprogramdeterminesthattheemployeesSTSis
persistent.Theemployermustretaintheoriginalbaselineaudiogram,however,forthelength
oftheemployeesemployment.Thissubstitutionwillensurethatthesameshiftisnot
repeatedlyidentified.Theprofessionalalsomaydecidetorevisethebaselineaudiogramifthe
employeeshearingimproves.Thiswillensurethatthebaselinereflectsactualhearing
thresholdstotheextentpossible.
Whenshouldanemployerperformanaudiogram?
Formaximumprotectionoftheemployees(andforthatmatter,thecompany),audiograms
shouldbeperformed:
1.duringpreemployment;
2.priortoinitialassignmentinahearinghazardousworkarea;
3.annuallyaslongastheemployeeisassignedtoanoisyjob;
4.atthetimeofreassignmentoutofahearinghazardousjob;and
5.attheterminationofemployment.
Inaddition,
it
is
suggested
that
employees
who
are
not
exposed
be
given
periodic
audiograms
aspartofthecompany'shealthcareprogram.Theaudiogramsoftheseemployeescanbe
comparedtothoseoftheexposedemployeeswhenevertheoveralleffectivenessofthe
hearingconservationprogramisevaluated.Inanoptimallyeffectiveprogram,thetwo
employeegroupswillshowessentiallythesameamountofaudiometricchange.
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Whenareemployeesrequiredtowearhearingprotectors?
Employeesmustwearhearingprotectors:
foranyperiodexceeding6monthsfromthetimetheyarefirstexposedto8hourTWA
noiselevelsof85dBorabove,untiltheyreceivetheirbaselineaudiogramsifthesetests
aredelayedduetomobiletestvanscheduling;
iftheyhaveincurredstandardthresholdshiftsthatdemonstratetheyaresusceptibleto
noise;and
iftheyareexposedtonoiseoverthepermissibleexposurelimitof90dBoveran8hour
TWA.
Employersshouldprovideemployeeswithaselectionofatleastonevarietyofhearingplugand
onevarietyofhearingmuffs.
NoiseReductionRatings(NRR)
Hearingprotectors
must
adequately
reduce
the
noise
level
for
each
employees
work
environment.MostemployersusetheNoiseReductionRating(NRR)thatrepresentsthe
protectorsabilitytoreducenoiseunderideallaboratoryconditions.Theemployerthenadjusts
theNRRtoreflectnoisereductionintheactualworkingenvironment.
StandardThresholdShift(STS)
OSHA'sdefinitionofastandardthresholdshiftisachange,relativetobaseline,of10dBor
moreintheaveragehearinglevelat2000,3000,and4000Hzineitherear.
NIOSHsdefinition
of
significant
threshold
shift
is
a15
dB
change
at
any
of
the
frequencies
500,
1000,2000,3000,4000,or6000Hz,demonstratedonarepeataudiogramforthesameearand
samefrequency,withtheretestbeingadministeredimmediatelyaftertheaudiogramthat
showedtheshiftascomparedtothebaselineaudiogram.
WhatTrainingisrequired?
Employeetrainingisveryimportant.Workerswhounderstandthereasonsforthehearing
conservationprogramsandtheneedtoprotecttheirhearingwillbemoremotivatedtowear
theirprotectorsandtakeaudiometrictests.
EmployersmusttrainemployeesexposedtoTWAsof85dBandaboveatleastannuallyin:
theeffectsofnoise;
thepurpose,advantages,anddisadvantagesofvarioustypesofhearingprotectors;
theselection,fit,andcareofprotectors;and
thepurposeandproceduresofaudiometrictesting
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Thetrainingprogrammaybestructuredinanyformat,withdifferentportionsconductedby
differentindividualsandatdifferenttimes,aslongastherequiredtopicsarecovered.
Whatexposureandtestingrecordsmustemployerskeep?
Employersmustkeepnoiseexposuremeasurementrecordsfor2yearsandmaintainrecordsof
audiometrictestresultsforthedurationoftheaffectedemployeesemployment.Audiometric
testrecordsmustincludetheemployeesnameandjobclassification,date,examinersname,
dateofthelastacousticorexhaustivecalibration,measurementsofthebackgroundsound
pressurelevelsinaudiometrictestrooms,andtheemployeesmostrecentnoiseexposure
measurement.
Employersarerequiredtorecordworkrelatedhearinglosscaseswhenanemployeeshearing
testshowsamarkeddecreaseinoverallhearing.Employerswillbeabletomakeadjustments
forhearinglosscausedbyaging,seektheadviceofaphysicianorlicensedhealthcare
professionaltodetermineifthelossisworkrelated,andperformadditionalhearingteststo
verifythepersistenceofthehearingloss.
ManagementResponsibilities
Managersshouldsupporttheaudiometricevaluationphasebyallocatingsufficientresources.
Managementmustensureallemployees(evenmobile/itinerantworkers)areincludedinthe
audiometricphase.
Managementmayopttocontractforaudiometricserviceswithanexternalsourcesuchasa
mobiletesting
contractor
or
alocal
hearing
clinic.
Alternatively,
management
may
choose
to
purchaseaudiometricequipmentandtrainacompanyemployeetoperformaudiometric
testingonsiteunderthesupervisionofanaudiologistoraqualifiedphysician.Thethirdoption
istocombineinternalandexternalresources.Thechoicedependsuponeconomic
considerationsaswellasthesize,policies,andgeographicallocationofthecompany.If
contractservicesareused,itiscriticallyimportantthatmanagementstillassignresponsibility
foroverseeingthehearingconservationprogramtoakeyonsiteindividual.
Allemployees,notjustthosewiththresholdshifts,shouldreceivepromptwrittensummariesof
theircurrent
hearing
status
from
the
professional
reviewer.
Employees
also
should
receive
summariesoftheirhearingtrendsovertime,alongwithrecommendationsforfurther
evaluationoranyextraprecautionsneeded,suchasmorecarefuluseofhearingprotectors.
Anothermodulecompleted. Goodjob
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Module6Quiz
Usethisquiztoselfcheckyourunderstandingofthemodulecontent.Youcanalsogoonline
andtakethisquizwithinthemodule.Theonlinequizprovidesthecorrectansweronce
submitted.
1.
Employersmust
monitor
all
employees
whose
noise
exposure
is
equivalent
to
orgreaterthananoiseexposurereceivedin8hourswherethenoiselevelis
constantly_____dB.
a.
80
b. 85
c. 88
d. 90
2.
Employersmustprovide_____audiogramswithin6monthsofanemployees
firstexposureatorabovean8hourTWAof85dB.
a. Annual
b. Baseline
c. Centerline
d.
Yearly
3.
Employersmustprovideannualaudiogramswithin_____year(s)ofthe
baseline.
a. two
b. one
c. three
d.
four
4.
Formaximumprotectionoftheemployees(andforthatmatter,thecompany),
audiogramsshouldbeperformedonwhichofthefollowingoccasions?
a. Preemployment. Priortoinitialassignmentinahearinghazardousworkarea.
b. Annually,aslongastheemployeeisassignedtoanoisyjob(atimeweighted
average.
c. Atthetimeofreassignmentoutofahearinghazardousjob,andatthetermination
ofemployment.
d. Alloftheabove
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5.
NIOSHsdefinitionofsignificantthresholdshiftisa_____dBchangeatanyof
thefrequencies500,1000,2000,3000,4000,or6000Hz,demonstratedona
repeataudiogramforthesameearandsamefrequency,withtheretestbeing
administeredimmediatelyaftertheaudiogramthatshowedtheshiftas
comparedtothebaselineaudiogram.
a.
10
b. 5
c. 15
d. 3
6.
Employersmustkeepnoiseexposuremeasurementrecordsfor_____years.
a.
one
b.
two
c. three
d. four
Pleasenote:modules79areoptional,thefinalexamonlyincludescoursematerialfrom
modules16. Ifyouwishtodoso,youmaynowproceedtothefinalexambygoingto
www.oshatrain.org
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Module7:HearingConservationProgramAudit(Optional)
Introduction
Preventingoccupationalhearinglossisacomplexmatter,butitisoftenenteredintowithout
firstassessingtheassetsavailable,theassetsrequired,andtheexpectedoutcomeofthe
program.Before
any
program
to
prevent
hearing
loss
is
put
into
place,
or
before
any
changes
in
anexistingprogramaremade,anauditshouldbeperformedonthesystemasitexists.Many
companiesdeclinetoperformanauditbecausetheyeithercantconceiveofaneedforitor
dontrecognizeitsvalueasthefoundationofasuccessfulprogram.Ahearingconservation
programauditshouldbeconsideredasimportanttotheoutcomeoftheprogramasisa
businessplantothesuccessofthecompany.
Programevaluationchecklist,canservewell.
Itisbesttoperformtheauditfromthetopdown,withadministrativeissuesaddressedfirst.In
theUnited
States,
occupational
safety
and
health
programs
historically
have
been
driven
by
regulations.Thus,itisimportanttoassurethattheregulationsforhearingconservation
programsarebeingaddressedbytheprogram.Atthesametime,thereneedstobeacorporate
recognitionthataddressingonlyregulatoryissueswillnotcreateaneffectiveprogram.Good
safetyandhealthpracticesneedtobefollowed.Thecompanypolicymustbedevelopedandall
whoadministerorparticipateintheprogrammustbeawareofthepolicies.
Decisionsneedtobemadeastowhoisresponsibleforprovidingfacilitiesandmaterialsforthe
hearingconservationprogram.Decisionsalsoneedtobemadeaboutwhomtheprogram
implementeror
key
person
will
be
and
guidelines
for
evaluating
the
effectiveness
of
that
personneedtobeestablished.Theroleofsupervisorsintheprogramshouldbeestablished.If
frontlinesupervisorshavearole,therolemustbedefinedandprocedurestonotify
supervisorsandtrainthemintheirroleshouldbeestablished.
Hazardassessmentsshouldbeaddressedduringtheaudit.Theauditshoulddetermineif
appropriatemeasurementshavebeentaken.Methodsshouldbedevelopedtoevaluatethe
resultsofhazardmeasurement.Whowillnotifyemployeesandhowtheywillbenotifiedofthe
resultsofhazardmeasurementshouldbedetermined.Itisimportanttoidentifythecritical
measurementsthat
need
to
be
taken
and
how
often
they
should
be
top related