Hearing Conservation: Corporate Safety Training

HEARING CONSERVATION
CORPORATE SAFETY TRAINING

29 CFR 1910.95
WELCOME
NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute
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REGULATORY STANDARD
THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE FEDERAL - 29 CFR 1903.1
EMPLOYERS MUST: Furnish a place of employment free of recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Employers must comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under the WilliamsSteiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. OSHA ACT OF 1970
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APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
29CFR - SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS 1910 - INDUSTRIAL SAFETY 95 - OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE
DANGER
HEARING PROTECTION REQUIRED
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CONTENTS OF 29 CFR 1910.95: A-Weighted Sound Level Determination Permissible Noise Exposures Program Requirements Monitoring Requirements Employee Notification Observation of Monitoring Audiometric Testing Program Audiometric Testing Requirements Hearing Protectors Hearing Protector Attenuation HC-- # NWACC Business & Industry
Workforce Development Institute
a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j.
(Continued)
CONTENTS OF 29 CFR 1910.95: k. Training Program l. Access to Information and Training Materials m. Recordkeeping n. Appendices
A - Noise Exposure Computation B - Estimating Hearing Protection Attenuation C - Audiometric Measuring Instruments D - Audiometric Test Rooms E - Acoustical Calibration of Audiometers F - Age Correction Calculations For Audiograms G - Monitoring Noise Levels H - Availability of Referenced Documents HC-- # NWACC Business & Industry
GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

ALL EMPLOYERS MUST: Establish a Written Program Conduct Audiometric Testing Address Noise Exposure Standards Conduct Regular Program Evaluations Conduct Work Area Noise Surveillance Conduct Hearing Conservation Training Control Hazards Using Ear Protectors as a Last Resort Ensure Proper Selection of Noise Exposure Equipment
HEARING PROTECTION PROGRAM
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TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
THE EMPLOYER MUST PROVIDE TRAINING: Training Must Establish Proficiency in use of Protectors. Explain The Operation, Capabilities, and Limitations. Training Must be Conducted Prior to Job Assignment. Explain The Reason Hearing Protection is Needed. Explain Why a Hearing Protector has been Selected. Explain Proper Maintenance and Storage of Protectors. Explain Inspection, and Proper Wear. Explain The Nature, Extent and Effects of Noise Hazards. Provide Explanation of Why Engineering Controls are not in Use.
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RETRAINING REQUIREMENTS
REQUIRED WHEN THERE IS A:
Program Related Injury. Change in Job Assignment. New Hazards or Equipment. New Hazard Control Methods. Failure in the Safety Procedures. Reason to Doubt Employee Proficiency.
HEARING PROTECTION PROGRAM
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PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
IMPLEMENTATION OF A HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM REQUIRES:
DEDICATION PERSONAL INTEREST MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT

NOTE:
UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT FROM THE WORK FORCE IS ESSENTIAL, WITHOUT IT THE PROGRAM WILL FAIL!
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DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE:
Establish responsibility. Establish a corporate policy and develop rules. Conduct a noise survey of the facility. Determine appropriate noise control measures. Eliminate noise hazards where possible. Conduct employee training. Provide protection where hazard elimination is not possible. Perform inspections and maintenance. Periodically audit the program. Modify policies and rules as appropriate.
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DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE:
The initial goal should be to reduce or eliminate noise hazards by: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Elimination or substitution of noise producing sources. Insulating equipment to lower noise levels. Implementation of administrative controls. Implementation of engineering controls. Issuance of hearing protection equipment. Providing training and procedures.
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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS INCLUDE:
1. Noise Exposure Monitoring
2. Engineering and Administrative Controls

3. Audiometric Evaluation 4. Use of Hearing Protection Devices
5. Training and Motivation

6. Recordkeeping 7. Program Evaluation
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NOISE EXPOSURE MONITORING Define Survey Goals Characterize the Hazard Accurately - Area Surveys - Noise Dosimetry - Engineering Surveys Ensure Results are Representative Identify Affected Employees Evaluate Specific Noise Sources Prioritize Noise Control Efforts
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ENGINEERING AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS Reducing Reverberation and Echo's Reducing Structure-borne Vibrations Initiate Physical Changes at the Noise Source Modify or Replace of Equipment Physical Changes in the Transmission Path Examples Include: - Sound Absorbing Material - Mufflers on Noise Sources - Acoustical Enclosures and Barriers - Vibration Mounts and Proper Lubrication
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AUDIOMETRIC EVALUATION Should be Performed: 1. Pre-employment 2. Prior to Initial Work Assignment 3. Annually if the Employee Stays in the Same Job 4. At Reassignment Out of a Noisy Job 5. At the Termination of Employment
Employees Who are Not Noise Exposed can be Tested to Provide a Comparison Group to Determine the Overall Effectiveness of the Program. The Two Groups should Show the Same Amount of Audiometric Change if the Program is Effective.
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AUDIOMETRIC EVALUATION (Continued) Must be administered with calibrated equipment Testing must have acceptable background sounds levels
The same type of audiometer should be used year to year

Only accredited technicians should be used Standardized testing methods should be used
An Audiologist or Physician should supervise testing
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(Continued)
TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES
Ear Muffs (Circumaural)

Semi-Inserts (Semi-Aural)
Inserts (Aural)
Each type has advantages and disadvantages

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TRAINING AND MOTIVATION Employees are the program Job-specific training is essential Annual recurrent training recommended Active employee participation is essential Training is essential to employee motivation SAFETY Training needed for: - Managers - Supervisors - Affected employees - Maintenance personnel HC-- # NWACC Business & Industry

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RECORDKEEPING Purpose of the examination Specific equipment used and calibration dates Name of the tester Date and time of the test Auditory history information The hearing threshold values obtained Testers judgment of the subjects response reliability Record of any refitting, reissuing, or retraining Testers comments, if any
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RETENTION OF RECORDS Noise exposure measurement records - 25 years Audiometric test records - Duration of employment
SAFETY RECORDS
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PROGRAM REVIEW & EVALUATION

EVALUATION TECHNIQUES INCLUDE:
Noise surveys (area and personal) Job hazard analysis assessments. Employee surveys. Review of results of facility evaluations. Analysis of trends in injury/illness rates. Up-to-date records of logs of noise hazard improvements tried or implemented. Before and after surveys/evaluations of job/worksite noise protection changes.
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WRITTEN PROGRAM
WRITTEN PROGRAMS MUST BE:
DEVELOPED IMPLEMENTED CONTROLLED JOB SPECIFIC UNDERSTANDABLE SUFFICIENTLY DETAILED PERIODICALLY REVIEWED
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THE SUPERVISORS ROLE

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
1. GET INVOLVED IN THE HAZARD ASSESSMENTS. 2. OBTAIN ASSISTANCE (IF NEEDED) FROM EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF CONCERN.
3. COMPLETE THE PAPERWORK (WORK ORDERS, POLICY CHANGES, ETC.) TO MAKE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS.
4. ATTEND THE SAME TRAINING AS YOUR WORKERS. 5. FOLLOW-UP ON THE ACTIONS YOU TOOK.
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HEARING PROTECTION SITUATIONS

WORK INVOLVING:
Chain saws Construction Lawn mowing Sand blasting Jack hammers Spray painting Musical performances Grinders, lathes, saws Manufacturing operations Exposure during maintenance duties
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
OUTER EAR - MIDDLE EAR - INNER EAR
AUDITORY NERVE
HAMMER ANVIL STIRRUP COCHLEA
EAR CANAL
EAR DRUM
EUSTACHIAN TUBE
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THE COCHLEA AND THE INNER EAR A fluid filled sound reception chamber Contains thousands of tiny hair cells The cells respond to sound waves made in the fluid The cells pass the sensation on to the auditory nerve
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SENSORI-NEURAL HEARING LOSS Noise-induced hearing loss Damages the hair cells or auditory nerves If the noise is stopped hair cells can bounce back Damage can be temporary
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SENSORI-NEURAL HEARING LOSS If the noise continues hair cells cant bounce back Damage can be permanent!
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NOISE MEASUREMENT Decibel (dB) - A unit of measurement for sound pressure 085 Decibels (dB) is max for the average workday 140 Decibels (dB) is max for impulse or impact noise No exposures in excess of 140dB peak sound pressure level are permitted. Impulsive or impact noise is considered to be those variations in noise levels at intervals of greater than one per second. Where the intervals are less than one second, it should be considered continuous. Source:
ACGIH Business & Industry NWACC
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NOISE MEASUREMENT (Continued) Sound is measured in two ways: 1. Frequency Intensity
2. Intensity
Frequency
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FREQUENCY: The pitch -- how high or low the sound is. Expressed in cycles per second (CPS). Most people can hear pitches between 20 CPS and 20,000 CPS.
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INTENSITY: The loudness of sound. Expressed in units called decibels (dB). the more dBs, the louder the sound. One decibel in the smallest unit of sound a person can hear.
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NOISE REDUCTION RATING (NRR): A single number measure of the amount of attenuation of sound that a hearing protection device will reduce outside sound to. Expressed in units of decibels (dB).
85dB
NRR 40dB
45dB
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THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE

The TLV is the upper limit of noise as measured in decibels averaged over an eight hour work day to which an average healthy person may be repeatedly exposed on an all-day, everyday basis without suffering adverse hearing loss.
American (ACGIH). Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist

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THRESHOLD SHIFT Hearing loss caused from noise can raise your hearing-threshold -- the degree of loudness at which you first begin to hear sound. Two types of shifts can occur: 1. Temporary threshold shift 2. Permanent threshold shift
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TEMPORARY THRESHOLD SHIFT Most of the loss occurs in the first two hours Workers may not hear sound under 40db after work Hearing returns within two hours after exposure stops The loss can become permanent with long exposure
NOISE
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PERMANENT THRESHOLD SHIFT

Usually no physical signs Early signs may be tinnitus, ringing, muffling of sound Hearing no longer returns within two hours The loss starts in high frequencies and may spread
NOISE
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WORK SOURCES & FACTORS AFFECTING HEARING:

Age Pitch Loudness Surroundings Type of machines Position of source Length of exposure Previous ear trouble Distance from source Think about your personal work habits! HC-- # NWACC Business & Industry
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HOME SOURCES & FACTORS AFFECTING HEARING:

Chain saws Race tracks Air hammers Trap shooting Starting pistols Musical groups Stereo systems Mowing the lawn Think about your personal lifestyle! HC-- #
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HOW LOUD IS LOUD?

SOURCE Rocket launching pad Jet plane Gunshot blast Jackhammer Automobile horn Sandblasting Rock music Chain saw Lawnmower
DECIBELS 180db 140db 140db 130db 120db 112db 110db 100db 090db
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HOW LOUD IS LOUD?

SOURCE DECIBELS Alarm clock 080db Busy traffic 075db Vacuum cleaner 070db Normal conversation 065db Dishwasher 060db Average home 050db Quiet office 040db Whisper at 5 feet 030db Average threshold of hearing 015db
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EXTREMELY HIGH, LOUD NOISE

Can cause Traumatic Hearing Loss - May be caused by a single exposure to loud noise - Less common than other types of hearing damage Can cause other effects in the work place - Contributes to poor communication at work - Unpleasant sound may cause fear, anger etc. - Noise may cause fatigue or distractions

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WHEN IS NOISE TOO LOUD?
You have to raise your voice to be heard. You cant hear someone less than 2 feet away from you. Speech sounds muffled after you leave a noisy area. You have ringing in your ears after exposure to noise.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION

AN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST SHOULD BE CONSULTED REGARDING THE TYPE OF HEARING PROTECTION TO BE USED WITH YOUR OPERATION! THE FOLLOWING ARE GENERAL GUIDELINES ONLY!
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Continued
TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES
Ear Muffs (Circumaural)

Semi-Inserts (Semi-Aural)
Inserts (Aural)
Each type has advantages and disadvantages

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EAR MUFFS (CIRCUMAURAL)
Surround the ear to reduce sound Very effective at reducing sound One size usually fits everyone Can be expensive Cleaning can be time-consuming Bulk can be a problem Can be uncomfortable in hot conditions Can be attached to: - Helmets - Bump caps - Hard hats NWACC Business & Industry
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SEMI-INSERTS (SEMI-AURAL) Insert partially into the ear Snug fit is essential Moderately effective at reducing sound Do not always effectively seal ear canal One size fits all Large variety of shapes Cleaning is simple Bulk is not a problem Comfortable in hot conditions
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INSERTS (AURAL) Training is essential to proper use Insert into the ear Snug fit is essential Moderately effective at reducing sound Do not always effectively seal ear canal Large variety of shapes Cleaning is simple Bulk is not a problem Comfortable in hot conditions
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INSERTS (Available in three forms)
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Premolded Inserts - which may be universalfitted or sized. Custom Molded Inserts - which are either fabricated at a factory from an impression taken of the ear canal or designed so that the impression itself becomes the final device. User Molded Inserts - which may be reusable or disposable, expand in the ear canal to form a seal after they are rolled and inserted.
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SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
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Will they effectively reduce sound levels? Comfort - will the users wear them? Cost Ease of use and repair Sizing and fitting ranges Dielectric considerations Training and skill for use Durability and life expectancy Anthropometric considerations Availability of replacement parts Size, weight, pressure, adjustability
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SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
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Visibility Pilferability Storage shelf life Climatic susceptibility Susceptibility to abuse Hygienic considerations Will the users like them? Susceptibility to alteration Confined space considerations Work environment susceptibility Compatibility with other equipment
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INSPECTION AND CARE OF HEARING PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

Continued
HEARING DEVICE CHECKLIST:

INSPECTION Do a fit test to ensure proper seal. CHECKLIST Receive proper training in its use. Provide proper care for equipment. Ensure hazard levels are known. Review noise exposure limits. Receive annual and recurrent training. Select correct hearing protection devices. Follow local policies and procedures. Wear only approved hearing protection devices. Wear only devices on which you have received training.
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Continued
INSPECTION CONSIDERATIONS:

INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Develop a detailed inspection policy. Document each inspection. Inspect all components before use. Tag as unusable, damaged equipment. Inspect equipment before each use (without exception). Separate damaged equipment from serviceable equipment. Consider the effects on equipment stored for long periods. Remove contaminated equipment from service immediately.
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Continued
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING CONSIDERATIONS:

Read the manufactures guidelines first! Disassemble (if needed) in accordance with procedures. Scrub devices in detergent and warm water. Rinse to remove detergent. Air-dry, do not dry rubber under heat or sunlight. Never use solvents to clean plastic or rubber.
STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS:
Protect from sunlight, heat, cold, moisture and chemicals! Place devices in individual sealable plastic bags
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HEARING CONSERVATION

CORPORATE SAFETY TRAINING

HEARING PROTECTION REQUIRED

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

DEDICATION PERSONAL INTEREST MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

2. Engineering and Administrative Controls

5. Training and Motivation

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

The same type of audiometer should be used year to year

An Audiologist or Physician should supervise testing

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES

Ear Muffs (Circumaural)

Each type has advantages and disadvantages

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

PROGRAM REVIEW & EVALUATION

THE SUPERVISORS ROLE

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

HEARING PROTECTION SITUATIONS

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

NOISE MEASUREMENT (Continued) Sound is measured in two ways: 1. Frequency Intensity

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

PERMANENT THRESHOLD SHIFT

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

WORK SOURCES & FACTORS AFFECTING HEARING:

HOME SOURCES & FACTORS AFFECTING HEARING:

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

HOW LOUD IS LOUD?

HOW LOUD IS LOUD?

EXTREMELY HIGH, LOUD NOISE

WHEN IS NOISE TOO LOUD?

HEARING DEVICE SELECTION

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute

HEARING DEVICE SELECTION

TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES

Ear Muffs (Circumaural)

Each type has advantages and disadvantages

HEARING DEVICE SELECTION

EAR MUFFS (CIRCUMAURAL)

HEARING DEVICE SELECTION

NWACC Business & Industry Workforce Development Institute