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OSHA Noise and Hearing Conservation
The document covers hearing conservation training, emphasizing that noise-induced hearing loss is a significant occupational health hazard, with millions of workers exposed to damaging noise levels. It outlines the anatomy of the ear, the mechanics of hearing, the impact of noise on hearing, and the types of interventions required to protect hearing, including audiometric testing and the use of hearing protection devices. The document also details regulations regarding permissible exposure limits, the importance of monitoring workplace noise, and effective strategies for noise control.
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OSHA Noise and Hearing Conservation
- 1. The Windsor ConsultingGroup Safety Training Presentations Hearing Conservation 29 CFR 1910.95
- 2. Did You Know? Noise induced hearing loss is the most common occupational health hazard for workers Hearing loss from noise is slow and painless; you can develop the disability before you notice it If raise your voice 3 feet away a person; this is a hazardous noise area Noise induced hearing loss is 100% preventable
- 3. Did You Know? Four million workers go to work each day in damaging noise. Ten million people in the U.S. have a noise- related hearing loss. Twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise each year.
- 4. Did You Know? In 2007, 23,000 cases of occupational hearing loss cause hearing impairment. Reported cases of hearing loss accounted for 14% of occupational illness in 2007. In 2007, approximately 82% of the cases involving occupational hearing loss were workers in the manufacturing sector.
- 5. What Is Noise? Noise is unwanted sound or sound that is unpleasant, unexpected or undesired Product of many operating industrial machinery and equipment Exposure to hazardous noise levels can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss
- 6. Occupational Noise Sources Airhammer Compressor Radial saw Rough seas Cement mixer Elevator room
- 7. Occupational Noise Sources HammerDrillHammer Drill Chain SawChain Saw Chop SawChop Saw Miter SawMiter Saw Impact WrenchImpact Wrench Tile SawTile Saw Circular SawCircular Saw Hand DrillHand Drill Metal ShearMetal Shear RouterRouter PlanerPlaner Belt SanderBelt Sander Table SawTable Saw Orb. Sand.Orb. Sand. MortisingMortising 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 WorkTask/Tool
- 8. Occupational Noise Sources EquipmentNoise Level Back Hoe 85-95 decibels Chain Saw 110 decibels Front-end Loader 90-95 decibels Gunshot 140 decibels Jackhammer112 decibels Lawn Mower 90 decibels Tractor 95-105 decibels Circular Saw 90-100 decibels
- 9. Hearing Loss Canyou imagine not being able to: – Hear music? – Listen to the sounds of nature? – Socialize with your family? Can you imagine being afflicted with uncomfortable ringing or abnormal sounds that interfere with sleep?
- 10. Hearing Loss Exposureto loud noise will inevitably cause hearing loss over time. Loud noise damages or destroys the nerves in the inner ear. Another effect can be “tinnitus” or permanent ringing in the ear.
- 11. How Much NoiseIs Too Much? 85 decibels (A-weighted) is the OSHA 8- hour “action level” 90 decibels (A-weighted) is the OSHA maximum permissible exposure limit without hearing protection 100 dBA exposure longer than 15-minutes are not recommended 110 dBA exposures for more than 1 minute can result in permeant hearing loss
- 12. How We HearSounds
- 13. Anatomy Of TheEar Ear Drum Semi-Circular Canals Cochlea Ear Bones Outer Ear
- 14. How We HearSounds Sound waves enter the ear canal Eardrum vibrations pass along tiny bones Tiny hair like cells flow back and forth The auditory nerve sends signals that are registered as sound to the brain
- 15. The middle earis the air-filled space between the eardrum and the bony inner ear. It contains the ossicles, muscles and the Eustachian tube
- 16. How We HearSounds This is the inner ear
- 17. How We HearSounds This electron micrograph shows the organ of Corti within the inner ear
- 18. How We HearSound
- 19. How We HearSounds Normal hair cells Noise-damaged hair cells Hair cells in inner ear transmit noise signals to the brain
- 20. How We HearSound Each scale approximates the response of the human ear at different ranges of pressure Because the human ear does not hear sound as if a machine. The human ear is more sensitive to higher frequencies Derived from comparison experiments Example: a noise of 1000 Hz frequency and an SPL of 20 dB sounds as loud as a noise of 25 dB at 500 Hz
- 21. How We HearSound A-Scale is most common and referenced by OSHA regulations B-Scale rarely used (medium sound pressure levels) C-Scale common for evaluating explosions and impact noise
- 22. ■ Pitch isdetermined by the position on the basilar membrane of its maximum deflection in response to sound. ■ Like the keys on a piano, there is a progression from low pitch to high pitch from the apical end to the basal end. So, if the maximum deflection of the basilar membrane occurs in basal end, a high pitch tone is perceived.
- 23. How Hearing IsDamaged Hearing ability consists of delicate parts Hair like cells are flattened You do not get used to noise; you gradually lose your hearing Once hearing is damaged, it cannot be repaired or replaced
- 24. How Hearing IsDamaged Our ears can recover from short exposure to loud noise, but over time nerve damage will occur. The longer and louder the noise, the greater chance permanent damage will occur. There is really no such thing as “tough ears” or “getting used to it”.
- 25. How Hearing IsDamaged Conductive – Sound is not conducted from outer ear to inner ear – Reduction in sound level – Condition results from fluid in middle ear, foreign bodies, infection in ear canal, impacted ear wax, malformation of ear
- 26. How Hearing IsDamaged Sensorineural – Results from damage to the inner ear or nerve pathways from ear to brain – Corrected through surgery – Caused by birth injury, diseases, noise exposure, head trauma, aging Mixed – Hearing loss resulting from both conductive and sensorineural
- 27. Signs of HearingLoss Difficulty hearing people speak Inability to hear certain high-pitched or soft sounds Noise or ringing in ears Getting complaints that the radio or TV volume is too high
- 28. Signs of HearingLoss Temporary Hearing Loss – results from short term exposure to noise (gun shot, pile driver, explosion or other impact noise) – hearing returns when away from the noise Permanent Hearing Loss – results from exposure to a moderate or high level of noise over a long period of time – hearing loss can be permanent without protectors
- 29. Signs of HearingLoss Effects of Age and Noise on Hearing Normal Aging Effects -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 500 1000 2000 3000 4000 6000 Frequency Hz HearingThreshold LeveldB age 60 age 40 age 20 Loss from Aging plus 95dB Noise Expsoure -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 500 1000 2000 3000 4000 6000 Frequency Hz HearingThresholdLeveldB 40 yrs.exp. 20 yrs.exp. 10 yrs.exp. 0 yrs.exp
- 30. Evaluating Hearing Loss Audiograms – A hearing evaluation exam, called audiometry, produces a report called an audiogram – OSHA requires all workers exposed to an 8-hour TWA of at least 85 dBA (Action Level) receive a baseline audiogram and annual follow-up exam – Employee sits in soundproof booth with headphones and control button to produce HTL (Hearing Threshold Level) – Method of Limits at the following test frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000 Hz, the range most detectable by the human ear – Speech range: 1000 – 4000 Hz
- 31. Types of Noise Pitch or frequency Loudness – Whisper 10 decibels – Street sounds 70 decibels – Sander 85 decibels – Sporting event 100 decibels – Mowing the lawn 101 decibels – Motorcycle riding 112 decibels – Concerts 125 decibels – Shooting range 130 decibels
- 32. Hazardous Occupational Noise Task Avg.Noise Level (dBA) Operating forklift 87 Cutting Wood 93 Cutting lawn 94 Installing trench conduit 95.8 Welding 98.4 Grinding 99.7 Chipping Concrete 102.9 Working near Generator 116 Tools Avg. Noise Level (dBA) Lathe 81 Welding Equipment 94.9 Hand Power Saw 97.2 Screw Gun, Drill 97.7 Rotohammer 97.8 Chop saw 98.4 Stationary Power tool 101.8 Chipping Gun 103.0
- 33. Does Noise Impact theWorkplace? Interferes with communication Causes fatigue Distracting or irritating Reduces morale or efficiency
- 34. Noise Sources Noise sources Aerodynamic – fan blade – Non directional – Directional
- 35. Noise Sources Hydraulic Shear Air Bag Shear Lmax over8 dB(A) reduction in Leq achieved Leq SoundPressureLeveldB(A) Lmax Leq Sheet Damping Modified Damping Enclosure Modified Enclosure 12 dB(A) reduction in Lmax achieved 10dB(A)
- 36.
- 37. Noise Exposure Limits SoundLevel (dBA) Permitted Duration per Workday (hours) Sound Level (dBA) Permitted Duration per Workday (hours) 90 8.00 103 1.32 91 6.96 104 1.15 92 6.06 105 1.00 93 5.28 106 0.86 94 4.60 107 0.76 95 4.00 108 0.66 96 3.48 109 0.56 97 3.03 110 0.50 98 2.63 111 0.43 99 2.30 112 0.38 100 2.00 113 0.33 101 1.73 114 0.28 102 1.52 115 0.25
- 38.
- 39. Hearing Conservation Goals Noise and hearing Hearing Conservation Program Quiz
- 40. Hearing Conservation Goals Workplace noise sampling including personal and area noise monitoring which identifies which employees are at risk from noise. Informing workers at risk from hazardous levels of noise exposure of the results of their noise monitoring. Providing affected workers or their authorized representatives with an opportunity to observe any noise measurements conducted.
- 41. Hearing Conservation Goals Maintaining a worker audiometric testing program (hearing tests) which is a professional evaluation of the health effects of noise upon individual worker's hearing. Implementing comprehensive hearing protection follow-up procedures for workers who show a loss of hearing (standard threshold shift) after completing baseline (first) and yearly audiometric testing.
- 42. Hearing Conservation Goals Proper selection of hearing protection based upon individual fit and manufacturer's quality testing indicating the likely protection that they will provide to a properly trained wearer. Evaluate the hearing protectors attenuation and effectiveness for the specific workplace noise. Data management of and worker access to records regarding monitoring and noise sampling.
- 43. Hearing Conservation Goals Training and information that ensures the workers are aware of the hazard from excessive noise exposures and how to properly use the protective equipment that has been provided. Data management of and worker access to records regarding monitoring and noise sampling.
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- 48. Noise Monitoring Monitoringprogram and strategy Sound level meters Noise dosimeters Repeat monitoring
- 49. Noise Monitoring Things thatcan go wrong include: ■ Failure to follow manufacturer instructions ■ Failure to start and stop properly to avoid invalid data ■ Microphone moved accidentally or intentionally ■ Excessive bumps to microphone ■ Non normal work day ■ Wind effects and battery failure
- 50.
- 51. Noise Monitoring Frequency analysis1/3 octave-band spectral data for maximum sound levels generated by an internal combustion engine.
- 52. Noise Monitoring Predicted NoiseExposure Winter Schedule 1998 + Ballet All Performances 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 25-Dec 04-Jan 14-Jan 24-Jan 03-Feb 13-Feb 23-Feb 05-Mar 14-Mar 24-Mar 03-Apr 13-Apr 23-Apr 03-May 13-May 23-May 01-Jun 11-Jun 21-Jun 01-Jul 11-Jul 21-Jul 31-Jul 10-Aug 20-Aug 30-Aug 09-Sep 19-Sep 29-Sep 09-Oct 19-Oct 29-Oct dB(A) Performance weekly average Long term Exposure Predicted Noise Exposure Winter Schedule 1998 + Ballet All Performances 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 25-Dec 04-Jan 14-Jan 24-Jan 03-Feb 13-Feb 23-Feb 05-Mar 14-Mar 24-Mar 03-Apr 13-Apr 23-Apr 03-May 13-May 23-May 01-Jun 11-Jun 21-Jun 01-Jul 11-Jul 21-Jul 31-Jul 10-Aug 20-Aug 30-Aug 09-Sep 19-Sep 29-Sep 09-Oct 19-Oct 29-Oct dB(A) Performance weekly average Long term Exposure
- 53. Noise Risk Assessment No.Work Process or Operation LAeqT Peak Complies with Regulatory Requirements 1 Cushman Trucker 75 103 YES 2 Cushman Spray Unit 76 102 YES 3 Quad Runner 72 101 YES 4 Honda Bike 67 - YES 5 Mower Reelmaster 6700-D 83 102 YES 6 Mower Ransomes 213-D 83 102 YES 7 Mower John Deere 2653A 86 105 NO, if exposure exceeds 6 hrs. 36 min. 8 Mower John Deere F1145 90 115 NO, if exposure exceeds 2 hrs. 32 min. 9 Whipper Snipper Kawasaki 98 113 NO, if exposure exceeds 25 min. 10 Blower Echo 94 108 NO, if exposure exceeds 1 hr. 4 min.
- 54.
- 55. Affected Employees Eachemployee exposed to noise at or above the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 decibels must be notified. Affected employees must be included in the Hearing Conservation Program.
- 56. Hearing Tests Audiometrictesting offered Conducted by qualified medical provider Baseline tests Annual testing Required for any employees exposed to excessive noise
- 57. Hearing Tests Manypeople develop a mild hearing loss as we age, mostly in the higher pitches Severe or significant hearing loss can mean you had excessive noise exposure Audiometric testing done yearly can detect early stages of hearing loss
- 58. Hearing Tests Resultscan be used to check the following: – If the hearing protection in use is adequate, – If there is a change in noise exposure, – If there is a medical condition of the ear unrelated to noise exposure.
- 59. Hearing Tests Resultsproduces printed audiograms which show hearing ability at several pitches or frequencies. These frequencies include those of the human voice. Second and following year tests are compared to the first year tests or baseline.
- 60.
- 61. Reasons for PoorAudiogram Ear wax buildup Head cold, congestion Confusion about response procedure Incorrect placement of headphones Hair under headphones Audiometer malfunction
- 62. Standard Threshold Shift Hearing ability changed by an average of 10 decibels or more in either/both ears Employee notification within 21 days and report on OSHA injury/illness log Revised hearing protection required Further medical evaluation – Refer employee for more testing or if medical pathology is caused by hearing protectors – Inform employee if medical pathology unrelated to hearing protectors is suspected
- 63. Standard Threshold Shift NormalAudiogram and Degree of Hearing Loss -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 500 1000 2000 3000 4000 6000 Frequency, Hz (low pitched to high pitched sounds) HearingThresholdLevel dB Normal Hearing Mild Hearing Loss Moderate Hearing Loss Severe Hearing Loss Profound Hearing Loss
- 64. Noise Reduction Efforts Engineering Controls – Reduce noise at the source – Interrupt the noise path – Reduce reverberation and structural vibration Administrative – Operate noisy equipment on second or third shifts – Rotate employees through high-noise areas
- 65.
- 66. Solutions for NoiseControls Buy Quiet - select and purchase low-noise generating tools and machinery Maintain tools and equipment routinely Reduce vibration where possible Isolate noise in an insulated room or enclosure Put barrier between source and the employee Isolate employee from the source in a room or booth (such as sound wall or windows)
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- 71. Administrative Controls Schedulingof shifts Noisy tasks in controlled areas Quiet tasks away from noisy tasks Noise refuge areas or control rooms, Remote control and remote monitoring, Maintenance and servicing schedules Specifications for limiting noise levels. Workers stay away from noisy areas whenever possible
- 72.
- 73. Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs) Ear plugs Canal caps Earmuffs
- 74. Hearing Protection Use Voluntary use – Exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 85 decibels Mandatory use – Exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 90 decibels – Exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 85 decibels but have not had a baseline hearing test – Employees who have suffered STS hearing loss and are exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 85 decibels
- 75. Fitting Foam Earplugs Leftphoto shows a proper insertion of a formable earplug, which is fibreglass down in a sheathing material. Right photo is an improper insertion, as the device is too loose, or is not inserted deeply enough to be of benefit.
- 76. Fitting Foam Earplugs Earplugincorrectly inserted Earplug correctly inserted
- 77. Fitting Foam Earplugs ProperInsertion: the end flange is just past the tragus. Improper Insertion: the end flange extends past the tragus.
- 78. Fitting Ear Muffs Ear muffs cover the whole ear and are preferred by some people Have replaceable pads and some high-tech styles filter out specific noise pitches Last longer than most plugs
- 79. Fitting Ear Muffs Some muffs are attached to hard hats or goggles Some high-tech muffs can filter out certain frequencies or have radios inside for communication in high noise areas
- 80. Fitting Ear Muffs Excessive hair over the ears: can break seal of the earmuff cups, significantly reducing the overall attenuation Same is true for safety glass temple bars All gaps or penetrations should be minimized to achieve effective attenuation
- 81. Fitting Ear Muffs Earmuff is too big for user The headband is fully closed, but does not rest on the top of the head, as it should Be careful to ensure HPDs are compatible with the wearer’s physical anatomy
- 82. Fitting Ear Muffs Both earmuff cushions show permanent impressions, allows air leaks and reduces the attenuation. The cushions need to be replaced
- 83. Fitting Ear Muffs Muffs can be uncomfortable in hot weather Muffs don’t seal well for someone with glasses or heavy sideburns
- 84. Ear Plugs VsEar Muffs Earplugs Earmuffs Advantages Small & easily carried, convenient to use with other PPE, more comfortable in hot, humid work areas and convenient for use in confined work areas. Advantages Less attenuation variably among users, designed so that one size fits most hat sizes, may be worn with minor ear infections and not easily misplaced or lost. Disadvantages Require more time to fit, difficult to insert or remove, may irritate the ear canal, easily misplace, more difficult to see and monitor use, get dirty when your hands are dirty. Disadvantages Heavier, less portable, inconvenient for use with other PPE, uncomfortable in hot humid work areas, inconvenient for use in confined areas.
- 85. Fitting Ear CanalCaps Ear caps are like earplugs, but don’t go into the ear canal, they only block it. Good for occasional use or for people who find earplugs uncomfortable. Not as protective as earplugs or muffs.
- 86. Hearing Protection Device NoiseReduction HPDs must reduce employee noise exposure below an 8-hour TWA of 90 decibels Employees with STS, noise exposure reduced below an 8-hour TWA of 85 decibels Noise reduction ratio (NRR) – Lab versus real world – Ear plugs: use 1/3 of NRR – Earmuffs: use 1/2 of NRR
- 87. Noise Reduction Rating(NRR) of Hearing Protection “Noise reduction rating” or “NRR” of hearing protection is measured in decibels. NRR is found on the earmuff or earplug package. The higher the number, the greater the protection.
- 88. Attenuation of DifferentTypes of Hearing Protectors Ear Plugs – Reduce noise by as much as 30 decibels Ear Canals – Reduce noise by as much as 30 decibels – Used when individual is unable to use traditional ear plugs Ear Muffs – Reduce noise by as much as 15-30 decibels – Use in conjunction with ear plugs when exposed to high noise levels (105+ decibels)
- 89. Hearing Protector Use Effectof removal of HPD 60 70 80 90 100 110 0:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 Time dB inside protector Outside Protector HP off 5min In Ear Cumulative Leq
- 90. Hearing Protector Use 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100.0 110.0 120.0 63125 250 500 1,000 2,000 4,000 8,000 Total Frequency SoundPressureLeveldB A weighted Source level Source level Estimated in-ear noise level
- 91. Octave Band Evaluation lineFrequency (Hz): 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 Overall level 1 Noise Level dB 103 105 107 102 97 99 92 111 2 A-weighting -16.1 -8.6 -3.2 0 +1.2 +1.0 -1.1 -- 3 Noise Level dBA 86.9 96.4 103.8 102 98.2 100 90.9 108 4 Mean Attenuation of HPD 12.8 19 28.5 36.1 38.1 38.3 26.7 -- 5 Standard Deviation 1.8 2.0 2.5 2.1 3.1 3.3 1.7 -- 6 Mean – 1 SD 11 17 26 34 35 35 25 -- 7 Estimated in- ear level, dBA 75.9 79 77.8 68 63.2 65 65.9 83
- 92. Hearing Aids AreNot Hearing Protection Hearing aids do not block out enough sound for most workplace noise Some hearing aids can actually increase the noise level at the ear Just turning off the hearing aids will not prevent further hearing loss from noise exposure
- 93. Ear Buds inPortable Radios/ CD Players/iPods Most of these devices do not provide protection from nois Earphones are not earmuffs and the music only adds to background other noise Music level in the earphones can exceed 85 decibels and cause hearing loss
- 94. Management Responsibility Providehearing protection devices Demonstrate commitment—wear HPDs Provide hearing protection training Enforce the use of HPDs Knowledgeable in HPD selection and use Encourage questions and solve problems
- 95. Training Required annually Topics must include: – Effects of occupational noise on hearing – Purpose for hearing protection devices – Attenuation, advantages , and disadvantages of HPD – Instructions of fitting, used, care, and selection – Purpose for hearing tests
- 96. Recordkeeping Noise monitoringresults Hearing test results Job assignments and noise exposure history Hearing protection devices used Records accessible to affected workers
- 97. Employee Responsibility Understandthe need for Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs) Wear HPDs and seek replacements Encourage co-workers to wear HPDs Communicate problems to supervisors
- 98. Summary Constant exposureto noise over 85 decibels can cause hearing damage. Hearing loss cannot be cured or repaired Hearing tests are conducted annually Hearing protection devices include ear plugs, earmuffs, and canal caps
- 99. Consequences of NIHL Social isolation Impaired communication with coworkers and family Decreased ability to monitor the work environment (warning signals, equipment sounds) Increased injuries from impaired communication and isolation
- 100. Consequences of NIHL Anxiety, irritability, decreased self-esteem; − lost productivity Expenses for workers’ compensation and hearing aids. Noise-induced hearing impairment occurs predominantly at higher frequencies (3000−6000 Hz), with the largest effect at 4000 Hz. It is irreversible and increases in severity with continued exposure
- 101. Quiz 1. Employee participationin the Hearing Conservation Program is required when exposed to an 8-hour TWA noise level of ____ decibels. 2. Hearing damage can easily be repaired with surgery. True or False 3. Describe a sign of hearing loss:___________________. 4. Name two off-work activities that may expose you to high-noise levels: ______________, _______________. 5. Your company keeps records of noise monitoring and hearing tests. True or False
- 102. Quiz (cont.) 6. Anoise dosimeter is used to test an employee’s hearing capability. True or False 7. Describe one of the ways noise impacts the workplace: ____________________________________________ . 8. Name two kinds of hearing protection devices: ____________________ and ____________________. 9. In order to look for hearing loss, how often are hearing tests conducted? _____________________________ 10. Name one of the ways management attempts to control employee noise exposure:_______________________.
- 103. Quiz Answers 1. Exposedto 85 decibels for an 8-hour TWA. 2. False. Hearing damage cannot be repaired or replaced. Hearing can only be aided once it is damaged. 3. Difficulty hearing people; noise or ringing; TV or radio is too loud for others. 4. Mowing the lawn, using a table saw, riding a motorcycle, attending a sporting event. 5. True. These records are available for employee review upon request.
- 104. Quiz Answers (cont.) 6.False. Noise dosimeters are worn by employees to determine their level of noise exposure. 7. Disrupts communication, causes employee fatigue, distracts or irritates, reduces morale. 8. Ear plugs, earmuffs, canal caps. 9. Hearing tests are conducted annually. 10. Engineering or administrative controls. The use of hearing protection should be used as a last resort.
Editor's Notes
- #2 I.Background for the Trainer: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to administer an effective Hearing Conservation Program whenever employee noise exposure equals or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 decibels (29 CFR 1910.95(C)(1)). Hand out copies of your company’s hearing conservation plan or tell the employees where or how they can obtain copies. II.Speaker’s Notes: Through monitoring, we have determined that some employees are exposed to occupational noise at levels where OSHA requires us to have an effective hearing conservation plan. Our hearing conservation plan includes monitoring, employee notification and observation of monitoring, hearing testing, hearing protection, training, and recordkeeping. This training program will cover: Impact of workplace noise on hearing Advantages and disadvantages of hearing protection devices Use, care, and fit of hearing protection devices Need for hearing testing and what to expect
- #9 I.Background for the Trainer: Ask the employees if they feel that noise has impacted them at work. II.Speaker’s Notes: Verbal communication and the detection of warning shouts or signals are obviously reduced. The strain from trying to hear or talk over the noise can cause you to become fatigued, increasing the risk of accidents. Noise can be distracting or irritating and, therefore, increase the potential for workplace accidents because employees cannot focus on their job. The constant physical or mental stress caused by noise can reduce employee morale and efficiency.
- #10 I.Speaker’s Notes: Hearing health is an important part of the quality of life. Try to imagine if you could not hear. What would your life be like? Many people with hearing loss experience constant uncomfortable ringing or abnormal sounds that even interfere with their sleep. Don’t you think that if you work 35 to 40 years that you deserve to retire with complete hearing ability? Continued exposure to noise above 85 decibels can result in hearing loss.
- #11 I.Speaker’s Notes: Hearing health is an important part of the quality of life. Try to imagine if you could not hear. What would your life be like? Many people with hearing loss experience constant uncomfortable ringing or abnormal sounds that even interfere with their sleep. Don’t you think that if you work 35 to 40 years that you deserve to retire with complete hearing ability? Continued exposure to noise above 85 decibels can result in hearing loss.
- #12 I.Speaker’s Notes: We will start by discussing how we hear and how noise impacts our hearing. Then, we will discuss our company’s Hearing Conservation Program. Finally, we will have a quiz.
- #13 I.Background for the Trainer: This information is important because most people do not understand how they hear sounds. This helps them understand how noise can damage their hearing. II.Speaker’s Notes: Sound waves enter the outer ear and travel down the ear canal where they strike the eardrum. The eardrum vibrations are passed along by tiny bones, sometimes referred to as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup, into the inner ear. The vibrations cause tiny hairlike cells in the inner ear to move back and forth, much the way a field of wheat or grass is moved by the wind. The movement of the tiny hairlike cells stimulates the auditory nerve that sends the sound signal to the brain.
- #15 I.Background for the Trainer: This information is important because most people do not understand how they hear sounds. This helps them understand how noise can damage their hearing. II.Speaker’s Notes: Sound waves enter the outer ear and travel down the ear canal where they strike the eardrum. The eardrum vibrations are passed along by tiny bones, sometimes referred to as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup, into the inner ear. The vibrations cause tiny hairlike cells in the inner ear to move back and forth, much the way a field of wheat or grass is moved by the wind. The movement of the tiny hairlike cells stimulates the auditory nerve that sends the sound signal to the brain.
- #24 I.Speaker’s Notes: As discussed on the previous slide, you can see that the hearing process consists of many delicate parts. If one of those parts is damaged, then hearing will also be damaged. The most common way of losing hearing is through gradual damage to the delicate hairlike cells. Normal sounds cause the cells to move back and forth like grass in a gentle breeze. Loud noise will cause the hair to lie flat. Once the noise stops, the hairs will spring back much the way a trampled field of grass will slowly spring back. Eventually, over a long period of loud noise exposure, the tiny hairlike cells will take longer and longer to spring back until one day they are too damaged to return to their normal position. Have you ever heard someone say “The noise doesn’t bother me; I’m used to it.”? The person is not getting used to the noise, but losing hearing function, so the noise doesn’t seem as loud and doesn’t bother him or her as much as it did in the past.
- #25 I.Speaker’s Notes: As discussed on the previous slide, you can see that the hearing process consists of many delicate parts. If one of those parts is damaged, then hearing will also be damaged. The most common way of losing hearing is through gradual damage to the delicate hairlike cells. Normal sounds cause the cells to move back and forth like grass in a gentle breeze. Loud noise will cause the hair to lie flat. Once the noise stops, the hairs will spring back much the way a trampled field of grass will slowly spring back. Eventually, over a long period of loud noise exposure, the tiny hairlike cells will take longer and longer to spring back until one day they are too damaged to return to their normal position. Have you ever heard someone say “The noise doesn’t bother me; I’m used to it.”? The person is not getting used to the noise, but losing hearing function, so the noise doesn’t seem as loud and doesn’t bother him or her as much as it did in the past.
- #28 I.Background for the Trainer: Ask employees if they can think of any other possible signs of hearing loss that they or someone they know have experienced. II.Speaker’s Notes: Hearing loss often goes undetected because it is a gradual and pain-free process. Do people have to repeat what they say for you to hear them? Do you have trouble hearing certain sounds, such as the ticking of a clock or a watch? Do you feel as if noise or ringing sounds always echo through your ears? Do others tell you to turn down the volume of the TV when you think it is at a normal level? When they turn the volume down to a level that is comfortable for them, is it too soft for you? People who answer yes to any of these questions may have damaged hearing.
- #32 I.Background for the Trainer: Ask the employees if they can think of other activities that are loud. II.Speaker’s Notes: Pitch or frequency, which is measured in hertz, refers to shrill noises such as whistles, high-pitched screams, fingernails on a chalkboard, etc. These noises are much more likely to harm your hearing, especially when they are also loud noises. Loudness is measured in decibels with a sound meter. Hearing damage is risked when you are exposed to more than 90 decibels during an 8-hour time period without hearing protection. 140 decibels for any duration is considered very dangerous to your hearing.
- #34 I.Background for the Trainer: Ask the employees if they feel that noise has impacted them at work. II.Speaker’s Notes: Verbal communication and the detection of warning shouts or signals are obviously reduced. The strain from trying to hear or talk over the noise can cause you to become fatigued, increasing the risk of accidents. Noise can be distracting or irritating and, therefore, increase the potential for workplace accidents because employees cannot focus on their job. The constant physical or mental stress caused by noise can reduce employee morale and efficiency.
- #40 I.Speaker’s Notes: Any questions on how we hear and how noise impacts our lives? Let’s discuss the Hearing Conservation Program.
- #41 I.Speaker’s Notes: Are there any questions on the Hearing Conservation Program? Let’s summarize and move on to the quiz.
- #42 I.Speaker’s Notes: Are there any questions on the Hearing Conservation Program? Let’s summarize and move on to the quiz.
- #43 I.Speaker’s Notes: Are there any questions on the Hearing Conservation Program? Let’s summarize and move on to the quiz.
- #44 I.Speaker’s Notes: Are there any questions on the Hearing Conservation Program? Let’s summarize and move on to the quiz.
- #49 I.Background for the Trainer: What was the monitoring strategy employed by your company? Who conducted the monitoring? Was it done internally or by an outside company? Discuss here. Do you have a map that indicates all the high-noise areas and the results of your company’s noise monitoring? If so, pass it out. II.Speaker’s Notes: The first step of a Hearing Conservation Program is to conduct a noise level monitoring to determine what types of noise employees are exposed to. Employees or their representatives are provided the opportunity to observe any noise monitoring that is conducted. A typical noise monitoring strategy will: Determine if noise hazards exist. Identify employees who are impacted by high-noise levels. Help prioritize noise control efforts and evaluate the success of those efforts. Sound-level meters are used to conduct a survey of the workplace to determine which areas are impacted by high levels of noise and should be studied further. Noise dosimeters are the most accurate way of determining an employee’s exposure to noise. Employees wear this while they are working. A microphone is attached to the employee’s collar, near the ear. The dosimeter records all the noise levels and computes the average noise exposure level for that particular employee. This information can be transferred to other employees that do similar jobs. Monitoring is repeated whenever a change in production, process, or equipment influences noise level exposures.
- #56 I.Background for the Trainer: How do you notify the employees who are exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 85 decibels or greater? Do they receive a written letter, which they are required to acknowledge with a signature, and is placed in their file? II.Speaker’s Notes: Now that monitoring is complete, it is time to determine which employees are impacted or exposed to high levels of noise. All employees exposed to 85 decibels or more for an 8-hour TWA are considered “affected employees” and must participate in this training program. Employees not exposed at that level may also be trained. Inclusion in the Hearing Conservation Program means that you are impacted by the requirements of the program, which we will discuss in the following slides.
- #57 I.Background for the Trainer: Set up an audiometric testing program with your local clinic or hospital. There are even some mobile companies that will bring the testing equipment to your worksite. Consider scheduling your employees for hearing exams prior to the class and bring the schedule to the class. How are your employees informed of the results of their hearing tests? Employees should also be tested if reassigned out of the high-noise area or when terminated. This will provide extra defense against an unwarranted hearing loss claim. II.Speaker’s Notes: Hearing, or audiometric, tests are offered to all employees who are included in the Hearing Conservation Program (i.e., exposed to an 8-hour TWA 85 decibels or greater). The hearing tests are conducted by a qualified medical provider who will also evaluate the hearing test results. The first test, or baseline test, must be conducted within an employee’s first six months of inclusion in the Hearing Conservation Program. OSHA requires baseline hearing tests to be preceded by 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. Follow-up tests are conducted annually. The results are compared with your baseline to look for any signs of hearing loss.
- #58 I.Background for the Trainer: Set up an audiometric testing program with your local clinic or hospital. There are even some mobile companies that will bring the testing equipment to your worksite. Consider scheduling your employees for hearing exams prior to the class and bring the schedule to the class. How are your employees informed of the results of their hearing tests? Employees should also be tested if reassigned out of the high-noise area or when terminated. This will provide extra defense against an unwarranted hearing loss claim. II.Speaker’s Notes: Hearing, or audiometric, tests are offered to all employees who are included in the Hearing Conservation Program (i.e., exposed to an 8-hour TWA 85 decibels or greater). The hearing tests are conducted by a qualified medical provider who will also evaluate the hearing test results. The first test, or baseline test, must be conducted within an employee’s first six months of inclusion in the Hearing Conservation Program. OSHA requires baseline hearing tests to be preceded by 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. Follow-up tests are conducted annually. The results are compared with your baseline to look for any signs of hearing loss.
- #59 I.Background for the Trainer: Set up an audiometric testing program with your local clinic or hospital. There are even some mobile companies that will bring the testing equipment to your worksite. Consider scheduling your employees for hearing exams prior to the class and bring the schedule to the class. How are your employees informed of the results of their hearing tests? Employees should also be tested if reassigned out of the high-noise area or when terminated. This will provide extra defense against an unwarranted hearing loss claim. II.Speaker’s Notes: Hearing, or audiometric, tests are offered to all employees who are included in the Hearing Conservation Program (i.e., exposed to an 8-hour TWA 85 decibels or greater). The hearing tests are conducted by a qualified medical provider who will also evaluate the hearing test results. The first test, or baseline test, must be conducted within an employee’s first six months of inclusion in the Hearing Conservation Program. OSHA requires baseline hearing tests to be preceded by 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. Follow-up tests are conducted annually. The results are compared with your baseline to look for any signs of hearing loss.
- #60 I.Background for the Trainer: Set up an audiometric testing program with your local clinic or hospital. There are even some mobile companies that will bring the testing equipment to your worksite. Consider scheduling your employees for hearing exams prior to the class and bring the schedule to the class. How are your employees informed of the results of their hearing tests? Employees should also be tested if reassigned out of the high-noise area or when terminated. This will provide extra defense against an unwarranted hearing loss claim. II.Speaker’s Notes: Hearing, or audiometric, tests are offered to all employees who are included in the Hearing Conservation Program (i.e., exposed to an 8-hour TWA 85 decibels or greater). The hearing tests are conducted by a qualified medical provider who will also evaluate the hearing test results. The first test, or baseline test, must be conducted within an employee’s first six months of inclusion in the Hearing Conservation Program. OSHA requires baseline hearing tests to be preceded by 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. Follow-up tests are conducted annually. The results are compared with your baseline to look for any signs of hearing loss.
- #61 I.Background for the Trainer: Set up an audiometric testing program with your local clinic or hospital. There are even some mobile companies that will bring the testing equipment to your worksite. Consider scheduling your employees for hearing exams prior to the class and bring the schedule to the class. How are your employees informed of the results of their hearing tests? Employees should also be tested if reassigned out of the high-noise area or when terminated. This will provide extra defense against an unwarranted hearing loss claim. II.Speaker’s Notes: Hearing, or audiometric, tests are offered to all employees who are included in the Hearing Conservation Program (i.e., exposed to an 8-hour TWA 85 decibels or greater). The hearing tests are conducted by a qualified medical provider who will also evaluate the hearing test results. The first test, or baseline test, must be conducted within an employee’s first six months of inclusion in the Hearing Conservation Program. OSHA requires baseline hearing tests to be preceded by 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. Follow-up tests are conducted annually. The results are compared with your baseline to look for any signs of hearing loss.
- #63 I.Speaker’s Notes: The hearing tests are evaluated to determine if any hearing loss has occurred. Standard threshold shift (STS) is a change in hearing relative to the baseline test of an average of 10 decibels or more at 2,000; 3,000; and 4,000 Hertz in either ear. When evaluating for STS, age is a factor. You must be notified within 21 days of detection of an STS. Hearing protecting for that employee must be revised. If not previously required to wear hearing protection (i.e., 8-hour TWA exposure between 85 and 90 decibels), then the employee is now required to wear hearing protection. If already required to wear hearing protection, then better protective equipment will be provided. The hearing loss may also be attributed to a medical condition, so further medical evaluation may be required.
- #64 I.Speaker’s Notes: The hearing tests are evaluated to determine if any hearing loss has occurred. Standard threshold shift (STS) is a change in hearing relative to the baseline test of an average of 10 decibels or more at 2,000; 3,000; and 4,000 Hertz in either ear. When evaluating for STS, age is a factor. You must be notified within 21 days of detection of an STS. Hearing protecting for that employee must be revised. If not previously required to wear hearing protection (i.e., 8-hour TWA exposure between 85 and 90 decibels), then the employee is now required to wear hearing protection. If already required to wear hearing protection, then better protective equipment will be provided. The hearing loss may also be attributed to a medical condition, so further medical evaluation may be required.
- #65 I.Background for the Trainer: What kinds of engineering noise level controls does your company have in place? Describe these so that employees know what kind of effort your company is making to reduce noise. Does your company utilize administrative controls? Describe them. II.Speaker’s Notes: Now that the company has conducted monitoring, determined affected employees, and initiated hearing exams, it is time to make efforts to reduce employee exposure to noise. Engineering controls reduce the noise coming from the equipment and prevents the noise from affecting other areas of the workplace. Mufflers reduce the noise at the source. Acoustical curtains or walls block the path of the noise. Sound-absorbing material is used to prevent noise from bouncing off walls. Rubber mounts and lubrication may reduce noise from vibration. Administrative controls attempt to reduce the number of people exposed to a noise or limit the amount of time employees can work in a high-noise area.
- #74 I.Background for the Trainer: What types of hearing protection devices does your company make available? Bring samples to the class, maybe even hand them out. Describe how employees can obtain the hearing protection devices. Where do they go? What do they have to do? II.Speaker’s Notes: If noise exposure cannot be reduced with engineering or administrative controls, the next thing to do is to provide affected employees with hearing protection devices. There are many different styles and brands of ear plugs, but they are all very similar. You can read the directions on the package, but basically you just squeeze one end, insert it into your ear, and allow it to expand and fill your ear canal. Ear plugs offer great protection from noise and are lightweight and unobtrusive. Just remember to make sure the plugs are clean before inserting them in your ear. Get a new pair at the beginning of each day. Canal caps are useful for employees who are exposed to loud noise for short periods of time or someone who has to walk through a high-noise area to get from one department to another. They usually do not have the same protection as the plugs because they do not enter the ear canal; they merely cap the canal’s entrance. Earmuffs are generally used as a supplemental protection from noise. They might be used in addition to ear plugs to help reduce noise exposure even further. If the earmuffs do not fit perfectly or seal adequately, they can actually increase noise exposure because noise may actually echo inside the “muff,” thus increasing in decibels, before entering the ear. Headphones from portable radios do not count as a hearing protection device.
- #75 I.Background for the Trainer: The information on the slide is what OSHA requires. Your company may have internal rules that require the mandatory use of hearing protection by all employees if they are exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 85 decibels. This would be an easier program to manage. In what areas and job functions of your company are hearing protection devices required? The employer must provide a selection of hearing protection devices and train the employee in the proper selection and fitting. II.Speaker’s Notes: Now that we have learned about hearing protection devices and the noise reduction ratio, it is time to define the mandatory and voluntary use requirements of the hearing protection devices.
- #87 I.Background for the Trainer: What is the noise reduction ratio (NRR) of the hearing protection devices that your company is providing? Is it adequate? II.Speaker’s Notes: The purpose of hearing protection is to reduce your exposure to noise. The exposure must be reduced by the hearing protection device to at least an 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels. If you who have suffered hearing loss and are classified as having experienced a standard threshold shift (STS), you must have hearing protection that reduces exposure to at least an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. Each hearing protection device is rated to reduce noise exposure by a certain number of decibels; this is called the noise reduction ratio (NRR). However, the listed NRR is a laboratory result. The real-world NRR will be significantly less because of inadequate fit and application. For ear plugs, assume the real-world NRR is less than 1/3 of the NRR listed on the package. For earmuffs, assume the real-world NRR is about 1/2 of the NRR listed on the package. Note that removing hearing protection devices for short periods of the day (e.g., 30 minutes) will reduce the real-world NRR even further.
- #89 I.Background for the Trainer: What is the noise reduction ratio (NRR) of the hearing protection devices that your company is providing? Is it adequate? II.Speaker’s Notes: The purpose of hearing protection is to reduce your exposure to noise. The exposure must be reduced by the hearing protection device to at least an 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels. If you who have suffered hearing loss and are classified as having experienced a standard threshold shift (STS), you must have hearing protection that reduces exposure to at least an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. Each hearing protection device is rated to reduce noise exposure by a certain number of decibels; this is called the noise reduction ratio (NRR). However, the listed NRR is a laboratory result. The real-world NRR will be significantly less because of inadequate fit and application. For ear plugs, assume the real-world NRR is less than 1/3 of the NRR listed on the package. For earmuffs, assume the real-world NRR is about 1/2 of the NRR listed on the package. Note that removing hearing protection devices for short periods of the day (e.g., 30 minutes) will reduce the real-world NRR even further.
- #93 I.Background for the Trainer: Demonstrating your commitment to hearing protection is very important. Even if management is just walking through the shop for a few minutes, they must still wear hearing protection. If management doesn’t, employees are less likely to use hearing protection because they will doubt its importance when they see that their superiors aren’t using it. II.Speaker’s Notes: What are management’s responsibilities in the Hearing Conservation Program? Enforcing the use of HPDs is just like the enforcement of any other safety rule or procedure. Questions, suggestions, and problems that employees have must be passed along to management so that any issues can be resolved.
- #94 I.Background for the Trainer: Demonstrating your commitment to hearing protection is very important. Even if management is just walking through the shop for a few minutes, they must still wear hearing protection. If management doesn’t, employees are less likely to use hearing protection because they will doubt its importance when they see that their superiors aren’t using it. II.Speaker’s Notes: What are management’s responsibilities in the Hearing Conservation Program? Enforcing the use of HPDs is just like the enforcement of any other safety rule or procedure. Questions, suggestions, and problems that employees have must be passed along to management so that any issues can be resolved.
- #95 I.Background for the Trainer: Demonstrating your commitment to hearing protection is very important. Even if management is just walking through the shop for a few minutes, they must still wear hearing protection. If management doesn’t, employees are less likely to use hearing protection because they will doubt its importance when they see that their superiors aren’t using it. II.Speaker’s Notes: What are management’s responsibilities in the Hearing Conservation Program? Enforcing the use of HPDs is just like the enforcement of any other safety rule or procedure. Questions, suggestions, and problems that employees have must be passed along to management so that any issues can be resolved.
- #96 I.Speaker’s Notes: Management is responsible for training according to the Hearing Conservation Program. This training must be conducted annually. The topics required are the same topics we have discussed in this training session: How noise impacts hearing The care, use, and selection of hearing protection devices Conducting and evaluating hearing tests
- #97 I.Background for the Trainer: OSHA requires recordkeeping for only noise exposure testing and the results of the hearing tests. Worker’s job assignments, exposure history, and protection used are additional pieces of information that may be used for further evidence of your company’s due diligence and efforts to reduce the exposure to noise. II.Speaker’s Notes: The hearing conservation plan also requires management to maintain certain records. The results of the noise monitoring, both area sound levels and individual dosimeter results, are maintained. The results of the hearing tests are also maintained in each employee’s medical file. Job assignments and exposure history will provide evidence of the type of exposure you have been subjected to. Protection used helps prove that you were provided with adequate noise protection. All records pertaining to this Hearing Conservation Program are available upon request to employees, former employees, and their representatives.
- #98 I.Speaker’s Notes: The Hearing Conservation Program also spells out requirements for employees. After this class, you should understand the need for HPDs at work and at home. Wear HPDs that are clean and in good condition. Get replacements when they become damaged or dirty. As always, encourage your co-workers to be safe. Communicate any problems with hearing protection devices or any concerns about potential new high-noise areas or equipment to your supervisor.
- #99 I.Background for the Trainer: Consider adding an additional bullet point describing the areas of high noise in your company’s facility. II.Speaker’s Notes: Exposure to noise levels over 85 decibels for an extended period can cause permanent hearing loss. Hearing tests are conducted annually. Hearing protection devices must be worn to protect against hearing loss.
- #102 I.Background for the Trainer: Remind employees that the quiz is to encourage further discussion and to help you, the trainer, be sure that everyone understands what was discussed.