5.6 Hearing Conservation and Protection

These guidelines have been established to help prevent hearing loss of employees in noise hazard areas or operations.

Continuous and intermittent exposure to high noise levels may, over a period of time, result in hearing loss. A hearing conservation program should be established in areas where the noise exposures equal an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 decibels (dBA) measured on the A scale of an audiometer with a 3-dBA exchange rate.

A hearing conservation program includes the following:

• Audiometric testing

• Noise measurement and analysis

• Engineering controls

• Hearing protection (for example, earplugs or earmuffs)

• Training program

• Record keeping

Managers and supervisors should use the following guidelines to review work areas that are potential noise hazard areas:

• Survey suspected noise hazard areas to determine if the area should be posted as a noise hazard area. Contact the Risk Management Division for help conducting noise surveys.

• Implement appropriate engineering controls if the hazardous noise (must be less than 85 dBA or TWA) can be minimized or controlled.

• If engineering controls are unsuccessful in lowering noise levels, then do the following:

  • Provide annual training about hearing conservation for exposed employees. The training program should include the following:

    • The effects of noise on hearing

    • The purpose of hearing protectors, their advantages, their disadvantages, the thickness of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care

    • The purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of test procedures

  • Provide annual audiometric testing to exposed employees.

  • Supply hearing-protection devices to employees, and require their use.

• Record and file all data regarding training, audiometric testing, and noise measurement.