OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure

Hearing Conservation

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What is occupational noise exposure?

Noise is usually defined as unwanted sound.

Noise, or unwanted sound, is one of the most pervasive occupational health problems. It is a by-product of many processes.

Exposure to high levels of noise causes hearing loss and may cause other harmful health effects as well. 2

Hearing LossNoise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or

permanent.

Temporary hearing loss results from short-term exposures to noise, with normal hearing returning after period of rest.

Prolonged exposure to high noise levels over a

period of time gradually causes permanent damage.

You don’t get used to Loud Noises, you lose the ability to hear them

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Hearing Loss

The extent of damage depends primarily on the intensity of the noise and the duration of the exposure

Sound Intensity is the Degree of Strength Measured in Decibels (dB)

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Hearing LossThe Decibel Scale is logarithmic and is an

expression of Sound Pressures which is actually what is measured.

Decibels are logarithmic, for an increase of every 3 dB’s the actual Intensity Doubles.

88 dB has twice the Sound Pressure as 85 dB

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Permissible Exposure Limits

Protection against the effects of noise exposure shall be provided when the sound levels exceed those shown in OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.95 (i)(2)(i), Table G-16

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Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)Duration per day, hours Sound Level dBA slow

response

8 90

6 92

4 95

3 97

2 100

1 1/2 102

1 105

1/2 110

¼ or less 115

Table G-16—Permissible Noise Exposure29 CFR 1910.95

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Action Level

Exposures at or above the action level of 85 dBA require a hearing conservation program

Employers must monitor all employees whose noise exposure is equivalent to or greater than a noise exposure received in 8 hours where the noise level is TWA 85 dB or greater.

TWA exposures exceeding the PEL require feasible engineering or administrative controls to be implemented

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Monitor the WorksiteTo understand what requirements must be

implemented it is necessary to determine exposure levels.

Walk around survey

In depth surveys

This should be accomplished during worksite and employee hazard assessments or whenever a task or process changes.

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Walk Around SurveyA walk around survey should be performed to

screen for noise exposures and to determine if additional monitoring is necessary. The following general approach may be followed:

Tour the facility and develop a detailed understanding of potential noise sources.

Make notes on a diagram of the floor plan if possible.

Look for indications that noise may be a problem.

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Walk Around Survey

Indications of a Problem. Various factors may indicate noise is a problem in the workplace.

Above 80 decibels (dB)--- people have to speak

very loudly.

Between 85 and 90 dB--- people have to shout.

Greater than 95 dB--- people have to move close together to hear each other at all.

Consider employee complaints-high noise levels can cause adverse reactions or behaviors

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Walk Around SurveyUse a sound level meter to take spot readings of

operations that are in question.

Estimate exposures by identifying workers and their locations and estimate the length of time they spend in different areas or how long they operate particular equipment or tools.

If the results of the walk around survey indicate time-weighted average (TWA) exposures of 80 dBA or more, then additional noise monitoring should be performed.

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Audiometric Testing

Employers must establish and maintain an audiometric testing program for all employees exposed at or above the action level of 85 dBA-TWA (time-weighted average).

The program must be provided at no cost to employees.

Consists of a baseline audiogram and annual audiogram

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Audiometric TestingBaseline audiogram

Within six months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level, the employer must establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared

At least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise must precede baseline audiogram testing. (Hearing protection devices may be worn during this time as a substitute for this requirement)

Notify employees of the need to avoid high levels of non-occupational noise exposure during the 14 hour period immediately preceding the audiometric exam

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Audiometric TestingAnnual audiograms

Employers must obtain a new audiogram annually for each employee whose exposure is at or above the action level.

Each employee's audiogram must be compared to their baseline audiogram to determine if the audiogram is valid and to determine if a standard threshold shift (STS) has occurred.

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Audiometric Testing

Threshold Shift: Is the difference between the hearing loss measured in an audiogram from an original base line, or the shift as compared to average hearing capabilities of an average person.

The employee must be informed in writing within 21 days of the determination if a STS has occurred

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Audiometric Testing If the physician determines that the STS is work related the

employer shall ensure that the following steps are taken:

Employees not using hearing protectors must be fitted with hearing protectors, trained in their use and care, and required to use them.

Employees already using hearing protectors must be refitted

and retrained in their use, and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary.

The employee must be referred for a clinical audiological

evaluation or an otological examination, as appropriate, if additional testing is necessary or if the employer suspects that a medical pathology of the ear is caused or aggravated by the wearing of hearing protectors.

The employee is informed of the need for an otological

examination if a medical pathology of the ear that is unrelated to the use of hearing protectors is suspected.

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Hearing Protection DevicesHearing protection devices (HPDs) are the

last option to control exposures to noise.

HPDs are generally used during the time it takes to implement engineering or administrative controls, or when such controls are not feasible.

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Hearing Protection devices Employers must make HPDs available to all employees exposed

at or above the action level.

These must be provided at no cost to employees and must be replaced as necessary.

Employees must be given the opportunity to select their HPDs from a suitable variety. Generally, this should include a minimum of two devices, representative of at least two different types.

The employer must provide training in the use and care of all HPDs provided to employees.

The employer must ensure proper initial fitting of HPDs and supervise their correct us

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Hearing Protection Devices

Employers must ensure that HPDs are worn by employees:

where feasible administrative and engineering controls fail to reduce sound levels within OSHA permissible exposure limits

who are exposed at or above the action level and who have not yet had a baseline audiogram established or have experienced a standard threshold shift (STS).

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Hearing Protection DevicesThe employer must evaluate HPD attenuation for the

specific noise environments in which the HPD will be used.

Attenuation refers to the damping or decrease of noise levels as a result of wearing HPDs.

HPDs must attenuate employee exposure to at least an eight hour time-weighted average of 90 dBA.

For employees who have experienced a standard threshold shift (STS), HPDs must attenuate exposure at or below the action level of 85 dBA-TWA (time-weighted average).

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TrainingThe employer must institute a training

program for all employees with noise exposures at or above the action level and ensure employee participation.

Training must be repeated annually for each employee in the hearing conservation program.

Information must be updated to be consistent with changes in protective equipment and work processes.

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TrainingThe employer must ensure that each

employee is informed of the following:

The effects of noise on hearing

The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care.

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

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TrainingThe employer must

make copies of the noise standard available to affected employees or their representatives and post a copy in the workplace

OSHA NOISESTANDARD

LOCATION HEARING PROGRAM

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Record Keeping

Workplace and employee exposure measurements must be kept for two years according to the standard. ARS says we must keep them at least 30 years.

Employee Standard Threshold Shifts must be recorded on the Location OSHA 300 Log regardless of whether you think they are work related or not.

Audiometric Test Records –OMSP record: The standard says the employer must retain all employee audiometric test records for the duration of the affected worker's employment. ARS says we must keep them at least 30 years.

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Record KeepingAccess to Records

All records required by the noise standard must be provided upon request to: employees, former employees, representatives designated by the individual employee,

and OSHA

Transfer of Records Employers who cease to do business must transfer

to the successor employer all records required by the noise standard.

The successor employer must retain these records for the remainder of the periods described previously.

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