Hearing ConservationTraining

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Martin Bryant
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1 Hearing ConservationTraining

2 Introduction Employees who are exposed to hazardous levels of noise in the workplace are at risk for developing noise-induced hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable but once acquired, hearing loss is permanent and irreversible. Fortunately, the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss can be reduced or eliminated through the successful application of engineering controls and hearing conservation programs.

3 Objectives At this end of this training, you should be able to: Identify when noise levels are hazardous Understand the effects of noise on your hearing Select the proper type of hearing protection

4 Employee Safety Standards OSHA CFR 1910 General Industry Subpart G Occupational Noise Exposure ( ) Cornell University Hearing Conservation Program Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Safety & Health Section.

5 General Requirements Hearing Conservation Program: The employer shall administer a hearing conservation program whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed the Action Level of 85 decibels 8-hour time-weighted average Employee noise exposures should not exceed the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 90 decibels 8-hour time-weighted average Engineering and administrative controls shall be utilized when employees are exposed to hazardous levels of noise. When such controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, hearing protection must be provided and used

6 General Requirements Components of a Hearing Conservation Program include: Noise Monitoring Employee Training Implementation of noise controls Audiometric Testing Program

Personal Monitoring is conducted using a noise dosimeter that the employee wears for the duration of their shift.

7 General Requirements Noise Monitoring: Area Monitoring is conducted using a sound level meter to evaluate area noise levels, identify noise sources, and estimate employee exposures. Personal Monitoring is conducted using a noise dosimeter that the employee wears for the duration of their shift. The noise dosimeter records data and calculates the personal noise dose for the sampling period. Data from the noise dosimeter is compared to the OSHA Action Level and Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

General Requirements Employee Training: Training shall be provided whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels (Action

8 General Requirements Employee Training: Training shall be provided whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels (Action Level) Employee training must be repeated annually Employee training must cover the effects of noise on hearing, selection and proper use of hearing protection, and audiometric testing procedures

General Requirements Audiometric Testing Program: An audiometric testing program shall be provided whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour timeweighted average sound level of 85

9 General Requirements Audiometric Testing Program: An audiometric testing program shall be provided whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour timeweighted average sound level of 85 decibels (Action Level) Within 6 months of an employee s first exposure at or above the Action Level, the employer shall establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared Employees must receive an audiogram on an annual basis The program is provided at no cost to the employee

General Requirements Audiometric Testing Program: Audiometric testing services are provided by Gannett Health Services on the main campus Gannett Health Services may refer employees to a Specialist

10 General Requirements Audiometric Testing Program: Audiometric testing services are provided by Gannett Health Services on the main campus Gannett Health Services may refer employees to a Specialist for further evaluation if the audiometric test identifies a significant hearing loss or Standard Threshold Shift (STS) Employees who have experienced a STS must be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protection and provided with hearing protection offering greater attenuation if necessary

Noise Hazards Noise measurements & exposure: Noise intensity is measured in decibels (db) The noise frequency or pitch is measured in hertz (Hz) Noise that is both high

11 Noise Hazards Noise measurements & exposure: Noise intensity is measured in decibels (db) The noise frequency or pitch is measured in hertz (Hz) Noise that is both high decibel level and high frequency is most damaging to your hearing In general, the greater the duration of exposure to loud noise is, the greater the risk for developing hearing loss

causes pain in the ear is an indication that the noise level is too high If workers standing only a few

12 Noise Hazards Harmful Noise: Permanent hearing loss can occur when the ear is exposed to 85 decibels (db) averaged over an 8 hour work shift Any exposure to the ear at 140 db can cause hearing loss Noise that causes pain in the ear is an indication that the noise level is too high If workers standing only a few feet apart have to shout or raise their voices to be heard, it is an indication that noise levels are above 85 db

13 Noise Hazards Examples of noise levels: Source Normal Conversation Vacuum Cleaner Push Lawnmower Tablesaw Chainsaw Wood Chipper Jet Airplane db Level 60 db 85 db 95 db 100 db 105 db 110dB 140 db

14 Noise Hazards Examples of recreational noise levels: Source Woodshop Tools Motorcycles Snowmobiles Rock Concert Handgun Blast db Level db dB dB dB dB

Noise Hazards Hearing Loss: Noise induced hearing loss results from damage to the hair cells that transmit sounds to the brain Hearing loss is 100% preventable Hearing loss is permanent People are

15 Noise Hazards Hearing Loss: Noise induced hearing loss results from damage to the hair cells that transmit sounds to the brain Hearing loss is 100% preventable Hearing loss is permanent People are often unaware that they have hearing loss since it can be painless and the symptoms may not be obvious. Symptoms include ringing in the ears (tinnitus), difficulty understanding conversation (sound distortion), and missing words in general conversation

16 Ear Anatomy Ear Anatomy: Tiny hair cells inside the cochlea transmit electrical pulses to the auditory nerve and brain Loud noise can permanently damage the hair cells causing the signal to the brain to weaken and sounds to become distorted

Noise Controls & PPE Workplace controls to protect workers form hazardous noise include: Engineering Controls are the preferred means of controlling noise exposures.

Noise engineering controls can include equipment substitution and the use of sound insulating and sound absorption materials Administrative Controls are a form of work practice controls that can

17 Noise Controls & PPE Workplace controls to protect workers form hazardous noise include: Engineering Controls are the preferred means of controlling noise exposures. Engineering controls can greatly reduce or eliminate the hazard. Noise engineering controls can include equipment substitution and the use of sound insulating and sound absorption materials Administrative Controls are a form of work practice controls that can influence the way a task is performed. Worker rotation is an example of an administrative control which involves rotating employees into and out of the high noise area/task in the course of a shift, thereby reducing the full-shift exposure of any given employee Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection. PPE for noise can include earplugs and earmuffs

Noise Controls & PPE Earplugs: Offer the highest Noise Reduction Rating

each use The user should wash their hands before inserting earplugs Must

18 Noise Controls & PPE Earplugs: Offer the highest Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) Come in many different shapes, sizes, and materials Come in disposable and reusable models. Reusable plugs should be cleaned with lukewarm water and hand soap after each use The user should wash their hands before inserting earplugs Must be inserted according the manufacturer s directions Improper insertion will reduce the protection provided by the earplug

prescription glasses or safety glasses Must be inspected prior to use.

19 Noise Controls & PPE Earmuffs: Cover the whole ear with cushions forming an air-tight seal Have a NRR of up to 30 db May not provide adequate protection if wearing prescription glasses or safety glasses Must be inspected prior to use. Check for ripped ear cushions or deteriorated foam Must be stored properly to prevent material degradation

Noise Controls & PPE Canal Caps: Have earplugs on a metal or plastic headband The headband creates pressure and keeps the earplugs firmly in your ear Are

20 Noise Controls & PPE Canal Caps: Have earplugs on a metal or plastic headband The headband creates pressure and keeps the earplugs firmly in your ear Are convenient since they can be worn around the neck when not in use and can be quickly inserted Typically have a lower NRR compared to earplugs and earmuffs

assist departments with identifying areas where signs are needed

21 Noise Controls & PPE Hazard Signs: Signs should be posted in the work area or on equipment requiring the use of hearing protection EH&S can assist departments with identifying areas where signs are needed Providing a hearing protection dispenser near the sign is a good practice

Summary Noise induced hearing loss is permanent Be aware of the early warning signs of hearing loss, many people don t realize they have hearing loss until it is too late Noise

22 Summary Noise induced hearing loss is permanent Be aware of the early warning signs of hearing loss, many people don t realize they have hearing loss until it is too late Noise induced hearing loss is 100% preventable Use hearing protection when exposed to hazardous levels of noise Get your hearing tested on an annual basis to monitor your hearing level

23 What Hearing Loss Sounds Like (video) Double Click on Slide/Video to Play

24 Questions If there are any questions, please contact: Environmental Health & Safety Occupational Health & Safety Section (607)

25 Quiz 1. Ear plugs in general have a higher noise reduction rating than protective ear muffs. A. True B. False 2. The tiny hair cells that can be damaged by loud noise are located in the: A. eardrum B. cochlea C. semicircular canals 3. Noise induced hearing loss can easily be fixed. A. True B. False 4. Newly hired employees who have noise exposures that equal or exceed 85 decibels when averaged over an 8 hour day must be provided a baseline audiogram within the first six months of employment. A. True B. False

26 Quiz 5. Components of an effective hearing conservation program include: A. Training B. Noise exposure assessments C. Hearing tests D. Record keeping E. All of the above 6. The intensity of sound is measured in: A. Hertz B. Parts Per Million C. Decibels D. Amps 7. The OSHA action level for noise is: A. 100 decibels B. 90 decibels C. 85 decibels averaged over an 8 hour work shift D. 140 decibels

Quiz 8. Audiograms must be provided annually to employees who have a noise exposure of 85 decibels or greater when averaged over an 8hour day. A. True B. False 9.

27 Quiz 8. Audiograms must be provided annually to employees who have a noise exposure of 85 decibels or greater when averaged over an 8hour day. A. True B. False 9. Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can be a sign of hearing loss. A. True B. False 10. If an employee has a Standard Threshold Shift, the employee is required to be re-trained and re-fitted for hearing protection. A. True B. False

Hearing Conservation Program

Hearing Conservation Program 1.0 Scope and Application The following procedures describe procedures for assessing and controlling excessive occupational noise exposure as directed by University policy