Emerging Best Practices. Christine B. Petitti Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management OSHA

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1 Emerging Best Practices Christine B. Petitti Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management OSHA

2 Auditory Fit Test Process The ATP is an opportunity to stay informed about our hearing. The ATP ties together all the components of the HCP. It provides a visual measure of whether the HCP is effective. If it is not effective, it will show up as a worsening of hearing thresholds on the audiogram, as well as a percentage showing an STS. (and/or a recordable hearing loss)

3 ATP Audiometric monitoring identifies who is not adequately protected so that more appropriate HP can be provided and more individualized training can be offered. And it catches hearing loss early on so that something can be done about it.

4 OSHA Personnel Covered under the HCP Duties vary from day to day Exposures will vary Construction, General Industry, Maritime

5 (c)(1) The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour timeweighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment.

6 Fitting Requirements (g)(8)(ii)(A) Employees not using hearing protectors shall be fitted with hearing protectors, trained in their use and care, and required to use them (g)(8)(ii)(B) Employees already using hearing protectors shall be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary.

7 Hearing Conservation Program Employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, per (c) through (o), whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed 85 dba TWA8 85 dba TWA8 is equivalent to a dose of 50% and is also referred to as the action level (AL) Noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with Appendix A and Table G-16A, and without regard to any attenuation provided by hearing protective devices (HPD s) (c)(1)

Hearing Protectors Must make hearing protectors available to all employees exposed at or above the AL Must ensure that hearing protectors are worn by an employee who is: Required by 1910.

8 Hearing Protectors Must make hearing protectors available to all employees exposed at or above the AL Must ensure that hearing protectors are worn by an employee who is: Required by (b)(1) to wear PPE; and Exposed at or above the AL, and: Has not yet had a baseline audiogram per (g)(5)(ii), or Has experienced a STS Must offer a variety of hearing protectors Must provide training in use and care and ensure proper fitting and use (i)

9 HPD Fit Testing/Verification Computer based system to verify fitting Uses persons own ear plugs Compares hearing tones with and without plugs Establishes a Personal Attenuation Rating (PAR) Maintains a record of results as a baseline for future fittings

10 HPD Fit Testing Measure hearing with and without hearing protection in place Provides estimate of actual attenuation provided by protector for that individual at that point in time. Can provide a great training opportunity SENSITIVITY WITH HPD WORN - SENSITIVITY WITHOUT HPD WORN = DIFFERENCE (Noise Reduction)

11 Fit Testing Programs OSHA does not endorse any products, manufacturers or companies that offer fit testing

12 Lessons Learned Trained and experienced trainers/fitters are critical Each ear should be fitted separately ear canals may be different from one another in size and shape. Hearing protector performance is critical to the overall success of a hearing conservation program

13 Hearing Protector Fitting Flange Earplug Too Large Too Small Just Right 13

14 Considerations Many types of hearing protectors Several factors determine the best hearing protector for an individual employee. COMFORT!! COMFORT!! COMFORT!! Employee and the fitter should work together to select hearing protection that is comfortable and convenient so that it will be worn consistently.

15 Considerations (cont.) Important factors to consider are: Noise levels Communication needs Hearing ability Physical requirements of job climbing, bending, lying down Workplace temperature Use of other PPE Size of ear canals

16 KEY ISSUES Wear hearing protection CORRECTLY CONSISTENTLY Sound is like water, it will slip in through the cracks. Make sure the fit is good so that there are no leaks.

with free hand, gently pull top of ear up

17 How to Properly Insert Foam Earplugs 1. Roll entire earplug into a crease-free cylinder 2. Pull Back and Out by reaching over head with free hand, gently pull top of ear up and out 3. Insert earplug well into ear canal and hold until it fully expands

18 Earplugs Flange Type Fitting Tips 1. Reach While holding the stem, reach hand overhead and gently pull top of ear up and back. 2. Insert Insert earplug so all flanges are well inside the ear canal. 3. Properly fit? Only the stem of the plug should be visible to someone looking at you from the front.

19 Pitfalls to Avoid Rushing training Not engaging the employee/testee Removal of HPDs during exposure to noise

20 Training Program Training is a key element. When you understand the reasons for the HCP, you will be better motivated to take ownership Elements of Training: Effects of noise on hearing Purpose, pro and cons of types of protectors, how to select, properly fit and care for them Purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of test procedures Description of the HCP, roles and responsibilities

What happens when you remove your HP during

TIME NOT WORN A worker is wearing a HPD with an

min 10 min 15 min 30 min 26 db 24 db 22 db 18 db

21 What happens when you remove your HP during exposure? 1. FIT 2. TIME NOT WORN A worker is wearing a HPD with an NRR of 30 db effectively reducing his 8-hour NRR to just (minutes during 8-hr. exposure) but then removes that HPD for just 5 min 10 min 15 min 30 min 26 db 24 db 22 db 18 db In noise exposures, small intervals of no protection quickly void large intervals of adequate protection. 21

22 Dual Protection Required in noise environments of 105 dba and above per OSHA HCP Directive See Noise and Hearing Conservation etool for examples of estimating exposure EARPLUG + DUAL EARMUFF NRR 29 NRR 25 Adds 5 db of extra protection = PROTECTION 22

23 Resources Safety and Health Information Bulletins (SHIBs) Hearing Conservation for the Hearing Impaired Worker, Innovative Workplace Safety Accommodations for Hearing- Impaired Workers, Hearing Conservation Program Directive PER , p_table=directives&p_id=4007 Noise and Hearing Conservation etool Noise Chapter-OSHA Technical Manual 23

24 QUESTIONS?? Christine Petitti

Hearing Conservation Program

Hearing Conservation Program 1. Introduction The University of Denver (HCP) is written in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Industry Standard Occupational Exposure to Noise CFR 1910.95