Hearing Loss Prevention

PPT-SM-HLP 2016

According to OSHA, noise is hazardous if workers are exposed to noise over 90 dB over an 8-hour workday

Exposure to high noise

levels can cause permanent

hearing loss

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PPT-SM-HLP 2016

Around 30 million workers in the US are exposed to hazardous noise every year

Thousands of those exposed workers suffer from preventable hearing loss

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PPT-SM-HLP 2016 4

Noise-related hearing loss has been one

of the most common occupational health concerns for more than 25 years

PPT-SM-HLP 2016

Companies must create an effective hearing conservation program whenever worker

noise exposure is at or greater than 85 dB over an 8-hour workday

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PPT-SM-HLP 2016

This program may include Workplace noise monitoringTelling workers noise monitoring resultsProviding audiograms (hearing tests) Selecting and providing hearing protection Providing training and information about excessive noise exposure hazards

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PPT-SM-HLP 2016

You may be affected by hazardous noise if you

Hear ringing or humming in your ears when you leave work

Have trouble hearing a coworker an arm’s length away

Experience temporary hearing loss when leaving work

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PPT-SM-HLP 2016

There are many ways workers can protect themselves from hazardous noise exposure and prevent hearing loss

Companies can protect workers from hazardous noise exposure too

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Engineering controls Selecting low-noise tools and machinery Maintaining and lubricating equipment Placing a barrier between workers and

the noise sourceEnclosing or isolating the noise source

PPT-SM-HLP 2016 10

Administrative controls Operating noisy machines during shifts

when fewer workers are exposedLimiting the amount of time a worker is

exposed to the noise source Providing quiet areas where workers

can take breaks from the hazardous noise Keeping workers a safe distance

away from noisy equipment

PPT-SM-HLP 2016

PPE If engineering and administrative controls

cannot provide enough protection against hazardous noise, your company must provide you with hearing protection

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PPT-SM-HLP 2016

Hearing protection is used to block the path that noise takes into the body

Hearing protection must reduce noise levels below 90 db TWA

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PPT-SM-HLP 2016

Hearing protection is selected based on its noise reduction rating (NRR), which measures how well a hearing protector blocks noise

The higher the NRR, the less noise you will hear

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If noise exposure exceeds 100 dB TWA, NIOSH

recommends combining two forms of hearing protection such as earplugs and earmuffs

Adding a second form of hearing protection could increase the NRR up to 5 dB (Note:

you cannot add the NRRs of two hearing protectors together)

PPT-SM-HLP 2016 15

Two common types of hearing protection are earmuffs and earplugs

PPT-SM-HLP 2016 16

Earmuffs are easy to use, wear, and keep clean

But earmuffs can be hot and heavy on your

ear and they can also interfere with other PPE

PPT-SM-HLP 2016

Earplugs provide good protection for most noise levels, are convenient, and disposable

They can be difficult to insert correctly, and if they are inserted incorrectly,

they will not protect you

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PPT-SM-HLP 2016

How to properly insert earplugs1. With clean fingers, roll into a small, thin “snake”

2. Pull the top of your ear up and back to straighten your ear canal

3. Hold the earplug in with your finger and count to 20 or 30 while waiting for the earplug to expand

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PPT-SM-HLP 2016

Hearing loss can be prevented

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Take advantage of your company’s hearing conservation program and use administrative controls and hearing protection when needed

Copyright © 2016 by PEC/Premier Safety Operations, LLC

Safe

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: Hea

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Sign and date this quiz sheet. Circle the letter representing the correct answer to each quiz question below.

Name:©

201

6 PE

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QUIZ-SM-HearIng LoSS PreventIonJan 2016

Date:

1. According to OSHA, noise is hazardous if workers are exposed to noise over ______________ over an 8-hour workday.

A. 60 dBB. 70 dBC. 80 dBD. 90 dB

2. Exposure to high noise levels can cause _______________.

A. Permanent hearing lossB. Poor eyesightC. Loss of sense of smellD. Numbness in hands

3. Companies must create an effective hearing conservation program whenever noise exposure is at or greater than _______________ dB over an 8-hour workday.

A. 70B. 75C. 80D. 85

4. Your company’s hearing conservation program may include _______________.

A. Not telling workers noise monitoring results

B. Workplace noise monitoringC. Requiring workers to provide their

own audiogramsD. Asking workers to provide their

own hearing protection

5. You may be affected by hazardous noise if you _______________.

A. Have trouble hearing a coworker an arm’s legnth away

B. Do not have trouble hearing a coworker any distance away

C. Do not hear ringing or humming in your ears when you leave work

D. Do not experience hearing loss when leaving work

6. Engineering controls include selecting low-noise tools and machinery, maintaining and lubricating equipment, and ________________.

A. Enclosing or isolating the noise source

B. Limiting the amount of time a worker is exposed to the noise source

C. Keeping workers a safe distance away from noisy equipment

D. Personal protective equipment

7. ________________ protection is used to block the path that noise takes into the body.

A. FallB. HearingC. FootD. Hand

8. Hearing protection is selected based on its ________________, which measures how well a hearing protector blocks noise.

A. NRRB. PELC. APFD. TWA

9. ________________ recommends using two forms of hearing protection together if exposure exceeds 100 dB TWA.

A. PECB. OSHAC. NIOSHD. ANSI

10. Earmuffs and ________________ are two common types of hearing protection.

A. EarplugsB. GlovesC. FaceshieldsD. Respirators

Hear

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Safety Meeting answer Keys: Hearing Loss Prevention Instructors: The following key shows the answers for the Hearing Loss Prevention safety meeting quiz.

© 2016 PEC

Safety, Inc.

KeY-SM-HearIng LoSS PreventIonJan 2016

1. D

2. A

3. D

4. B

5. A

6. A

7. B

8. A

9. C

10. A

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has successfully completed thePEC Safety Meeting

Hearing LossPrevention

Instructor Date Awarded

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INSTRUCTOR NAME SAFETY MEETING DATE

SAFETY MEETING NAME COMPANY NAME

Student Instructions: Print and sign your name. Also, provide your date of birth or the last four digits of your social security number.

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