PURPOSE Expsure t excessive nise in the wrkplace can cause permanent hearing lss. The Hearing Prtectin Prgram has been established t help ensure that emplyees f Scales NW, Inc. d nt suffer health effects frm expsure t excessive nise while at wrk. SCOPE The prvisins f the Hearing Prtectin Prgram apply t all shp, cnstructin, and field technicians emplyed by Scales NW, Inc. APPLICABILITY This prgram shall apply t all peratins, either statinary r mbile, where emplyees are expected t be expsed t nise levels f 85 dba r abve fr 8 hurs as a time weighted average. DEFINITIONS Actin Level An 8-hur time weighted average (TWA) f 85 decibels measured n the A-weighted scale, slw respnse, r equivalently a dse f 50%. This is the level f sund expsure at which emplyee participatin in the Scales NW Hearing Cnservatin Prgram is mandatry. A-Weighted Sund Level (dba) The weighting f sund levels that represents the functin f the human ear. Audimetric Testing Prgram The prtin f the Hearing Cnservatin Prgram that cnsists f measuring an emplyee's hearing threshld t establish a baseline and fr subsequent cmparisns. Decibel (db) Unit f measurement f sund level. 2 The fficial versin f this infrmatin will nly be maintained in an n-line web frmat. Review the material n-line prir t placing reliance n a dated printed versin. Dse A rati f nise expsure relative t the nise criterin level f 90 decibels, expressed as a percentage. Ninety decibels represents a dse f 100% ver an 8-hur wrk shift. Eighty-five decibels represents a dse f 50% ver an 8-hur wrk shift. Dse is based n the OSHA 5 db exchange rate. Dse may be determined frm the equatin given in Table 1 fr nn-cntinuus nise r estimated frm Table 2 based n the TWA. Hearing Cnservatin Prgram (HEACP) A written prgram that establishes prcedures t ensure the prtectin f emplyees frm high nise areas r peratins in cmpliance with the OSHA Occupatinal Nise Regulatin 29 CFR 1910.95. Scales NW, Inc Hearing Cnservatin Prgram
Hearing Prtectin Attenuatin The estimated reductin in the nise level at the eardrum as a result f the use f hearing prtectin. Estimated using the frmula: Attenuated TWA, dba = TWA - (Nise Reductin Rating, NRR, 7) fr A scale weighted sund levels. Attenuated TWA, dbc = TWA NRR fr C- scale weighted sund levels. Nise Induced Hearing Lss, NIHL The OSHA recrdable ccupatinally related hearing lss, as defined by 29 CFR 1904.10 and 29 CFR 1904.5, and includes a Standard Threshld Shift (STS) f 10 db, with age crrectin, averaged ver the 2K, 3K, and 4K frequencies frm baseline in either ear and a 25 db shift frm audimetric zer, in the same ear as the 10 db STS at the same frequencies. Nise Reductin Rating (NRR) The theretical maximum amunt f nise reductin that can be achieved using a hearing prtectin device. This is a manufacturers calculated value and must be displayed with the hearing prtectin device. Mnitring The sampling f nise levels using a sund level meter, ctave band analyzer, r persnal nise dsimeter. Permissible Nise Expsure The maximum daily nise expsure which may be experienced by emplyees nt using hearing prtectrs frm a cntinuus 8-hur expsure t a sund level f 90 dba r equivalent dse f 100%. Standard Threshld Shift (STS) A change in hearing threshld, relative t the mst recent audigram fr that emplyee, f an average f 10 decibels (db) r mre at 2000, 3000, and 4000 hertz in ne r bth ears and substantiated within 30 days with a fllw-up audigram. Time Weighted Average (TWA) The [equivalent] nise level, in db, based n an 8-hur expsure time frame. If the nise is nt cnstant ver an 8-hur expsure, then a calculated 8-hur TWA must be made using the equatin in Table 1. The TWA may als be estimated frm the dse r percent nise expsure, based n nise expsure cntinuus ver 8-hurs, as given in Table 2. RESPONSIBILITIES Scales NW Operatins Manager Develp the written Hearing Cnservatin Prgram and revise the prgram as necessary. Scales NW, Inc Hearing Cnservatin Prgram
Identify and establish a written agreement with an audimetric testing clinic fr ccupatinally expsed emplyees. Cnduct mnitring t identify areas r peratins requiring inclusin in a hearing cnservatin prgram. Assist in nise cntrl measures (i.e. hearing prtectin, nise cntrl). Identify apprved hearing prtectin fr use by emplyees requiring prtectin. Train emplyees n the hearing cnservatin prgram and hearing prtectin principles. Cntracted Audimetric Testing Agency Shall: Cnduct hearing testing fr Scales NW emplyees ptentially expsed t nise levels at r abve the OSHA Actin Level f 85 dba as an 8 hur TWA in accrdance with 29 CFR 1910.95 including: Cnduct audigrams. Prvide training n effects f nise. Prvide training in the use, care, and limitatins f hearing prtectin devices. Prvide Scales NW management with written results fr emplyees that have experienced a standard threshld shift f 10 db r mre fllwing lss crrectin fr age, regardless f a 25 db shift frm audimetric zer. Retain audimetric testing results fr the duratin f an emplyee's emplyment. Audimetric testing recrd frms are included in this prgram as Appendix J. Prvide Scales NW with written audimetric testing results fr emplyees upn terminatin f emplyment frm the Scales NW. Maintain written calibratin f audimeters and daily peratinal pre-testing checks. Cnduct an exhaustive calibratin, as specified in 29 CFR 1910.95(h)(5)(iii), f the audimetric measuring instruments at least every tw years. Supervisrs Identify ptentially hazardus nise lcatins and peratins and cntact Management fr evaluatins. Ensure that emplyees required t participate in the hearing cnservatin prgram cmplete their annual audimetric testing, at the agency with which a written agreement has been established and all ther requirements f the prgram. Scales NW, Inc Hearing Cnservatin Prgram
Cperate with Management in implementing disciplinary steps fr emplyees wh fail t cperate in a timely and reasnable manner with the requirements f the prgram, including but nt limited t failure t schedule r attend audimetric testing at the specified service prvider and failure t wear required hearing prtectin devices. Emplyees Assist the supervisr in identifying ptentially hazardus nise lcatins r peratins t which they may be expsed. Cmplete scheduled audimetric testing r expsure assessments as instructed. Use hearing prtectin as required and in accrdance with training received. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Mnitring When infrmatin indicates that an emplyee s expsure may equal r exceed the actin level f 85 dba fr an 8-hur TWA assessment, mnitring shall be cnducted by SCALES NW. Affected emplyees shall be ntified f the results f the mnitring where levels at r abve the actin level are identified. Mnitring activities may cnsist f: Sund level measurements fr lcatins where the nise level is statinary and expected t be cntinuus r Persnal nise dsimeter fr wrk peratins that are highly mbile r randm in nise level. Re-mnitring, if a change in equipment, prcess r cntrls increases the nise level t the extent that: Additinal emplyees may be expsed at r abve the actin level r; The attenuatin prvided by the hearing prtectrs used by the emplyee(s) des nt reduce the nise expsure level t 90 dba fr an 8 hur TWA r 85 dba as 8 hur TWA fr emplyees that have experienced a standard threshld shift. Fllw-up mnitring if an STS has ccurred. The pprtunity fr affected emplyees t bserve the nise measurements during cllectin. Audimetric Testing Prgram All emplyees expsed t nise at r abve the Actin Level are required t participate in the prgram. This prgram cnsists f: Scales NW, Inc Hearing Cnservatin Prgram
A baseline test t be cmpleted within 6 mnths f the emplyee s first expsure abve the actin level. This test must be preceded by at least 14 hurs withut expsure t wrkplace nise at r abve 85 dba r hearing prtectin devices must be used prir t testing. Annual testing thereafter prvided that expsure at r abve the actin level is expected. Training f affected emplyees regarding the hazards f nise expsure, and where necessary the fitting f emplyees with apprpriate hearing prtectin devices and training abut their use, care and limitatins. A fllw-up audigram may be prvided within 30 days if a standard threshld shift has been identified. The emplyee shall be infrmed in writing within 21 days f the determinatin. Audimetric testing reviewed by an audilgist. The audilgist will determine if further evaluatin r retraining is needed. Maintenance f audimetric testing equipment in accrdance with the requirements f the OSHA Occupatinal Nise Standard (29 CFR 1910.95 and its appendices). Nise Cntrl Where nise levels fr nn-mbile surces are fund t be in excess f 90 dba r abve the Permissible Nise Expsure as listed in Table 1 n a cntinuus basis and emplyees are required t wrk in such areas the fllwing measures shall be taken: Engineering cntrls will be reviewed fr feasibility in nise reductin. Until they are implemented r if adequate cntrls are nt feasible then; Hearing prtectin devices shall be wrn by emplyees whse expsure is at r abve 90 dba as an 8 hur TWA. Hearing prtectin devices will be made available t expsed emplyees at n cst. Hearing prtectin attenuatin shall reduce the expsure belw 90 dba as an 8 hur TWA using the NRR f the rated device. Fr emplyees expsed t nise levels at r abve 85 dba, but belw 90 dba as an 8 hur TWA the use f hearing prtectin devices shall be strngly encuraged. Jb Specific Nise Hazards Hearing prtectin such as apprved ear muffs r ear plugs must be wrn when nise expsure exceeds 85 dba. Scales NW, Inc. has identified tw areas where nise levels exceed 85 dba, but d nt exceed the 85 dba TWA, and require the use f hearing prtectin. Driving gas-pwered test carts Sme cnstructin peratins that include use f pwer tls listed in table 6-1 Nise sampling cannt be cnducted fr all tls and equipment due t sme equipment being rented r purchased after testing is cnducted. In these cases use table 6-1 t help determine if hearing prtectin is needed. Scales NW, Inc Hearing Cnservatin Prgram
Tls Average Nise Level (dba) Maximum Nise Level (dba) Welding, Cutting Equipment 94.9 122.8 Other Hand Pwer Tl 95.4 118.3 Hand Pwer Saw 97.2 114.0 Screw Gun, Drill Mtr 97.7 123.7 Rthammer 97.8 113.5 Chpsaw 98.4 117.7 Rattle Gun 98.4 131.1 Statinary Pwer Tl 101.8 119.8 Pwder Actuated Tl 103.0 112.8 Chipping Gun 103.0 119.2 Table 6-1 Scales NW, Inc. will identify nise hazards by cnducting a yearly nise mnitring assessment in all wrk areas f the cmpany. Training Training shall be cnducted annually fr all emplyees engaged in cnstructin and service wrk Training shall cnsist f Yearly nise sampling data Updated Persnal Prtective Equipment requirements Jb hazards that have been identified thrughut the year as being hearing prtectin required General plicy guidelines fr hearing prtectin Recrd-keeping The cntracted audimetric testing agency shall maintain audimetric exams fr each tested emplyee fr the duratin f that emplyee s participatin in the prgram. Upn leaving Scales NW, Inc Hearing Cnservatin Prgram
emplyment frm Scales NW r discntinuance in the Hearing Cnservatin prgram, all recrds will be transferred t SCALES NW. SCALES NW shall maintain all nise mnitring data. Scales NW, Inc Hearing Cnservatin Prgram