 |
Assess
Risk of Exposure
Noise exposure monitoring or noise measurement is required to
determine which workers are at risk for excessive exposure to
noise. It is important that monitoring take into account anything
the worker may do during the day that could contribute to his/her
overall noise level. |
 |
Test
Hearing
Part of the HPP?(Hearing Protection Program) is an annual assessment
of hearing called an audiogram. Each worker in the HPP must get
an original audiogram, (called a baseline) within six months of
starting in an HPP area to determine how well he/she hears before
they are exposed to noise by this employer. The time limit can
be extended to one year if the employer chooses to have audiograms
done by a mobile hearing testing service, but only if the worker
wears hearing protection in the meantime. The audiogram is then
repeated yearly, with the most recent test results compared to
the baseline to check for changes. |
 |
Hearing
Protection
Hearing protection devices (HPD) suitable for the noise found
during noise monitoring (step one above) must be made available
to all workers exposed to 85 dBA or greater. Those workers exposed
above 90 dBA TWA are required to use HPDs when in noise. Longer
shifts may require hearing protection at lower sound levels. The
employer must make a variety of HPDs available at no cost to the
worker and must replace them as necessary. It's the employer's
responsibility to make sure that HPDs are used appropriately. |
 |
Training
Workers in the HPP receive annual training in the effects of noise
on hearing aspects of HPD use (including purpose, use, care, advantages,
selection, fitting, and noise reduction values, the purpose for
testing hearing, and explanation of the testing procedure). |
 |
Noise
Controls
The Hearing Conservation Amendment requires the implementation
of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls where exposures
exceed 90 dBA TWA. |
| This
is CFR 1910.95 (From the National Hearing Conservation Association)
|
| This
information is provided “as is” and is not to be considered
a warranty of product performance or as an authoritative informational
page. Due to the diverse field conditions and other variables which
can affect a product’s performance, Calolympic Safety disclaims
all warranties (expressed and implied) as to any product’s
performance or any information provided.
|