Hearing Conservation and Noise Control

Bureau of Workers Comp PA Training for Health & Safety (PATHS)

29 CFR 1910.95
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Why??????

Huh? What?

Its the LAW

Quality of Life
Gradual/Painless

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Anatomy of the Ear

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Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive Occurs in ear canal, drum, ossicles

Central Damage to auditory nerve

Sensorineural Nerve damage in cochlea

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Health Effects Other Than Hearing Loss

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Degree of Risk

Frequency How often workers exposed

Intensity How loud Duration How long Individual Variability Persons resistance
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How Loud is Loud?

Jet engine Threshold of Pain Pneumatic hammer Compressed Air Punch Press Lawn Mower Conversation

140 db 125 db 110 db 105+ db 95 db 90 db 65 db

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Hearing Protective Equipment

Advantages/Disadvantages

Cotton Balls Virtually no protection

Canal Blockers/Ear Pods Only cover opening of ear canal

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Hearing Protective Equipment

Advantages/Disadvantages

Ear Muffs Good overall protection

Ear Plugs Can be difficult to insert & annoying to wear

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How to Insert Earplugs

1. Roll the earplug into a tight cylinder

2. Lift the top of your ear to open the canal 3. Insert earplug into the open canal 4. Hold earplug in place until the foam expands 5. Repeat Steps 1 4 to insert into other ear
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Safety Factor = Noise Reduction Rating

OSHA protocol For A scale measurements, NRR minus 7 Example: Noise exposure = 92 dBA Manufacturers NRR = 15 15 7 = 8 (effective noise exposure reduction)

92 8 = 84 dBA

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NRR Determination: more from OSHA

If using dB(A) scale: Noise level minus [NRR minus 7 divided by 2] = Noise level at ear ex. Noise level = 98 dBA NRR = 25 dBA 98 - [25-7/2=9] = 98-9=89dB.
If using dB(C) scale: Noise level minus [NRR divided by two] = Noise level at ear ex. Noise level = 98 dBA NRR = 25 dBA 98 [25/2=12.5] = 98-12.5=85.5 dB.

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Exposure Limits Time Weighted Average (TWA)

Time Weighted Average Sound Level: That sound level, which if constant over an 8 hour exposure, would result in the same dose as is measured. To determine TWA if working in different areas with different noise level readings over 8 hour work shift : Use 1910.95, Appendix A, Table G-16A Table A-1
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OSHAs Permissible Noise Exposure*

90 dB = 8.0 hours 92 dB = 6.0 hours 95 dB = 4.0 hours 97 dB = 3.0 hours 100 dB = 2.0 hours

102 105 110 115

dB dB dB dB

= = = =

1.5 hours 1.0 hours 30 minutes 15 minutes

*At or above = controls: Engineering, Administrative, PPE PPT-017-02 14

Exposure Limits
If exposure to 8 hour Time Weighted Average (TWA): ACGIH 85 dBA (action level) NIOSH 85 dBA (action level) OSHA 84 dBA: nothing required 85 89 dBA: - monitoring - testing - protection - training - recordkeeping 90 dBA (Permissible Noise Exposure Limit)
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Noise Monitoring

Required by the OSHA standard to identify all noise at or above 85 dBA Monitoring must be performed whenever there is an increase in production or equipment is added that could increase the noise level

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Audiograms

Audiograms are required every year to identify if there has been a loss of hearing. The solid line shows a normal result with no hearing loss. The dotted line represents a typical noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).

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Training Requirements

Annual Training
Hearing Conservation Elements Hearing Protectors
Hearing Conservation Program

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Recordkeeping

Monitoring records (Keep for 2 years) Audiometric testing records (Keep for period of employment)

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Noise Control

Engineering (e.g. sound barriers) Administrative (e.g. worker rotation) Personal Protective Equipment (e.g. ear plugs, ear muffs)

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What is your Company doing to Control Exposure:

Monitoring? Engineering? Administrative? PPE?

If youre not sure you should check with your Supervisor!

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Questions?

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