Employee Hearing Conservation Program

Transcription

1 Employee Hearing Conservation Program Risk Management, Environmental Health & Safety Smith Hall 103 Mt. Pleasant, MI (989)

2 I. BACKGROUND The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated a noise standard in 1974 and published a Hearing Conservation Amendment to the standard in The current Michigan requirements are based on regulations promulgated by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) on June 16, 1993 (R R and Appendices A-D). The MIOSHA standard provides worker protection against the effects of noise exposure when sound levels exceed a time-weighted average level of 85 decibels over an 8-hour workday, or for higher levels of noise exposure over shorter periods (see Table I). If noise monitoring identifies workers who are exposed to these levels, the employer must institute a continuing, effective hearing conservation program. TABLE I Permissible Noise Exposures Duration per day, hours Sound level dba, slow response ½ ½ 110 ¼ or less 115 Central Michigan University's Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) consists of five distinct areas: A. Monitoring (MIOSHA Standards R ) Noise analysis (a sound level survey) is conducted whenever: there is knowledge or a suspicion that noise levels exceed 85 db (A weighted) on an 8-hour time-weighted-average (TWA), or employees have shorter periods of exposure to higher levels of noise (see Table I). A combination of integrated sound level meter field measurements, and direct employee noise exposure interviews will be implemented for a

3 sensitive noise evaluation on campus in order to identify the employees who need to be enrolled in the HCP. Furthermore, noise monitoring shall be repeated when any production, equipment or administrative changes occur which might alter the noise exposure of any employee. When levels that exceed 85 db(a) TWA are found, all reasonable efforts will be made to use administrative and/or engineering controls to reduce exposure. B. Audiometric testing (MIOSHA Standards R R ) Audiometric testing will be conducted on all employees (without cost to the employee) who: are exposed to levels which equal or exceed 85 db(a) TWA, or have shorter periods of exposure to higher levels of noise (see Table I). An initial baseline audiogram will be obtained and subsequent annual audiograms will be compared to the baseline to ascertain if a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) has occurred. All baseline and annual testing will be performed by an audiologist or by an audiology graduate student under the direct supervision of a certified audiologist. OSHA amendment guidelines for testing procedures, equipment and calibration requirements will be followed. The follow-up procedures below may occur for specific employees depending on the results of their hearing test. 1. If the hearing test is abnormal, but not related to occupational noise exposure, the employee may be referred for additional audiological testing or medical evaluation. This follow-up procedure is not mandatory and CMU is not responsible for any charges incurred. The referral is being made in the best interest of the employee and the employee can decide whether to follow the recommendations of the examiner. Any cost will be incurred by the employee at their expense. 2. If a STS in hearing is determined in accordance with the MIOSHA Standard Part 380, the employee will receive special educational training on the proper use and care of hearing protection devices (HPDs). The consistent use of HPDs when exposed to loud occupational noise will also become mandatory.

4 3. If a STS is discovered and it is determined that the STS is being caused or aggravated by wearing HPDs (i.e. impacted ear wax, allergic reaction, broken HPD obstructing the ear canal, etc.) the medical follow-up will be mandatory and CMU will be responsible for the cost of that follow-up. C. Hearing Protection (MIOSHA Standards R R ) All employees exposed to 85dB(A) TWA noise must have available hearing protectors. It is the responsibility of university first line supervisors to ensure such hearing protectors are worn by their employees: whose noise exposure exceeds 85dB(A) TWA; or whose noise exposure equals or exceeds 85dB(A) TWA and have not yet had a baseline evaluation; or who have experienced a STS; or who have shorter periods of exposure to higher levels of noise (see Table I). The adequacy of hearing protector attenuation shall be reevaluated whenever noise exposure increases. Areas and equipment listed in Table II shall require hearing protection. TABLE II Areas and equipment requiring hearing protection while equipment is in use. All Mowers Kubota Tractor Toro Workman Wood Chippers Ford Tractor 4000 Bobcat Skid Steer John Deere Backhoe All leaf blowers Ford Tractor 1520 Edgers Weed Whips Kubota BF800 L3350 Chain Saws Hedge Trimmers Reciprocating Saws Dust Collector Table Saw w/dust collector Belt Sanders Band Saw Compound Miter Saw Delta Planers Spray Booth Pneumatic Sander Large Routers Key Maker Routers Joiners Street Sweepers Gator 883 Kromer Round-Up Scooter Smithco Infield Groomer Wheel Loaders Turf Groomers Ryan GA-30 Aerator Intec Leaf Vac Brooks Hall Sears Craftsman table saw in Brooks 142

5 Ryobi metal chop saw in Brooks 142 Sears Craftsman reciprocating saw in Brooks 142 Sears Craftsman circular saw in Brooks 142 Sears Craftsman router table in Brooks 142 Dow Science Building When the liquid nitrogen dewars are being filled Clausing Kondia vertical mill in Dow 014 Delta Planer in Dow 014 Rockwell 14 bandsaw in Dow 014 Sears Craftsman tablesaw in Dow 014 Shopsmith sander in Dow 014 Trinco sandblaster in Dow 014 JET-1236P metal lathe in Dow 014 Dremel tool in Dow 014 Finch Fieldhouse (Firing Range) When the firing range is in use ET Building Gas turbine engine in ET 105 SuperFlow Flowbench Testing Center in ET 105 Osborn 712J mold compacter in ET 129 McEngleman Speedy Melt B702 gas fired furnace in ET 129 Baldor Grinder 1021 WD in ET 129 Makita chop saw in ET 129 Clausing 1768 drill press in ET 129 Clausing Kondia FV-1 vertical mill in ET 129 Dewalt 402 angle grinder in ET 129 Delta Heavy Duty sander in ET 129 Oliver 2991 thickness planer in ET 151 Oliver 217 band saw in ET 151 Oliver 270VT table saw in ET 151 Dewalt DW705 chop saw in ET 151 Reuland belt disc sander in ET 151 Multi-Clean shop vac in ET 151 Oliver 144BD jointer in ET 151 Dewalt 708 Chop saw in ET 151 Safety Speed sheet board cutting machine in ET 151 Delta Rockwell Table Saw in ET 151 surface planer in ET 151 Mini Max FS 35 jointer in ET 151 BOSCH Router in ET 151 Delta Sander in ET 151 Oliver table saw in ET 151

6 Rockwell block sander in ET 151 Dewalt router in ET 151 Industrial chop saw in ET 151 Porter Cable Pocket Router in ET 151 Powermatic band saw Powermatic Mortising drill in ET 151 North Art Studio A.L. Young Machinery planer Powermatic jointer Chop saws Radial arm saws Band saws Milwaukee right angle grinder Powered hand tools PBS When working in the Generator Room (2385) Powerhouse All Areas except for offices and breakrooms in the Powerhouse require hearing protection All areas of the pressroom Print Shop Residence Life Machine & Wood Shops Dimension 200 routers Table saws Shapers Miter saws Delta planers Powered hand tools Satellite Energy Facility When working in the Satellite Energy Facility except breakroom Student Activity Center/Bowling Alley Any time the bowling alley pinsetter is in use. Table saws Belt sanders Band saws Radial arm saws Compound miter saws Bush Theatre Scene Shop

7 Routers Metal chop saws Jig saws Circular saws D. Employee Training Program (MIOSHA Standards R ) An educational program will be instituted for all employees: whose noise exposure exceeds 85dB(A) TWA, or who have shorter periods of exposure to higher levels of noise (see Table I). This program will cover specific topics outlined in the MIOSHA document and be repeated annually. These specific topics include the following: The effects of noise on hearing. The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use and care. The purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of test procedures. E. Record Keeping (MIOSHA Standards R ) This system requirement includes employee annual hearing test data (test documentation should include the date, place, test equipment serial number; date of calibration; and specific examiner certification information); employee damage risk category; annual certification of test room performance; annual electro-acoustic calibration of test instrumentation (both audiometers and noise measurement equipment), and daily biological calibration of audiometers. Adjustments or revisions to recorded hearing data are solely the responsibility of an audiologist or qualified physician; all hard copy documentation of hearing testing may serve as medical-legal evidence in cases of workers' compensation. Records of exposure measurements and audiometric testing will be maintained.

8 II. RESPONSIBILITIES Based on the MIOSHA requirements as described above the following areas of responsibility are designated: A. Risk Management Environmental Health & Safety (RMEH&S) RMEH&S is responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of the HCP. This includes: providing regulatory guidance and assistance in compliance with MIOSHA regulations coordinating efforts to reduce hazardous noise by engineering and/or administrative controls where feasible conducting a comprehensive noise survey for identification of employees to be included in the program. RMEH&S will follow the recommendation made by the National Institutes for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to conduct noise surveillance on employees using integrated sound level meters when new equipment/machinery is acquired; and providing noise surveys on a requested or as needed basis B. Department of Communication Disorders (CDO) CDO is responsible for audiometric testing of employees, the training component, and for record keeping and notification regarding these tests. This includes: completion of hearing evaluation on all employees exposed to 85 dba noise levels for both baseline and annual testing hearing conservation consultations either on an individual or group basis record keeping and notifications billing/collection of fees for services for employees/departments in the HCP Record keeping includes sound level surveys, hearing test data, and required employee and employer notification. Results of testing will be provided to the employee and the Central Health Improvement Program (CHIP)/Workers Compensation.

9 C. Central Health Improvement Program (CHIP)/ Workers Compensation CHIP is responsible for: new employee baseline audiogram billing authorizing mandatory follow-up referrals to an Occupational Physician for treatment the maintenance of employee health records and will include hearing test data as it is received from CDO the required MIOSHA notifications based on hearing loss as a reportable disease D. Wellness Central Wellness Central is the alternative audiometric testing facility for those employees who find they cannot, due to scheduling conflicts, have their audiogram through CDO. CDO will, however, be sent the results for analysis, recordkeeping, and notification. E. First Line Supervisors It is the direct responsibility of an employee s first line supervisor to ensure appropriate safety measures are followed. This includes enforcement of hearing protector use where required and accommodation with hearing test requirements. F. Employee Safety is each individual s responsibility. Use of hearing protection where indicated is first and foremost the individual employee s concern. It is also incumbent on each employee to appear for required hearing evaluations, follow instructions regarding noise exposure prior to testing, and participate in annual training as directed. Employee Positions included in this program are listed in Appendix A.

10 Appendix A Employee positions included in the Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) Department Art Department Biology Chemistry Firing Range Bush Theatre Scene Shop ET ET PBS Physics Department Printing Services Residence Life SAC - Bowling Alley Position Faculty and Student Employees in the machine/wood shop and welding areas Electronic/Mechanical Technician Supervisor/Lab Operations II All Landscape Operations Mason's Paint Shop Welders HVAC/R (SEF) Carpenters Powerhouse Operators All employee users of the firing range Technical Director, Faculty and Student Employees Maintenance & Repair Technicians Faculty and Student Employees in Metals, Industrial Education/Special Needs and Construction/Wood Labs Maintenance and technical employees working in Generator Rm. and Transmitter building Physics Lab Technicians Pressroom employees and student pressroom employees BMW s Student Employees in Machine/Wood shops Bowling Alley Operators/pinsetters