HEARING CONSERVAQTION

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INDUSTRIAL NOISE AND HEARING CONSERVATION
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What Is Noise?

• Creates stress that affects one mentally and
  physically
• Causes accidents because workers cant hear
  instructions or warning signals

• Sound that bears no information
• Interferes with wanted sound

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Types of Noise

• Intermittent
• Continuous
• Impact

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How Can We Tell When Noise Is Too Loud?

• If two people 3 feet apart must shout to be
  heard, the background noise is too loud (above 85
  decibels).

• Noise above 140 decibels causes pain and
  immediate hearing loss.

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Action Levels

• Noise is measured in units called decibels or
  dB sound
• 85 dBA HCP
• 90 dBA Noise control/HP
• 115 dBA Signs posted hearing protection
  required

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Daily Allowable Exposure Times To Noise
Noise Level Allowable Exposure Time 85
decibels 8 hours 90 decibels 4 hours 100
decibels 1 hour 105 decibels 30 minutes 110
decibels 15 minutes 115 decibels 0
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Noise Levels Examples

• Equipment Noise Level
• Wood Shop 89.6 decibels avg
• Music Room 90.1 decibels avg
• Ag/Metals 87.6 decibels avg
• Trimmer 92.0 decibels
• Edger 94.5 decibels
• Lawn Mower (JD) 92.8 decibels
• Lawn Mower 96.4 decibels
• Chain Saw 110 decibels
• Gunshot 140 decibels
• Jackhammer 112 decibels
• Tractor 95-105 decibels
• Circular Saw 90-100 decibels

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WISHA

• WAC 296-817 Hearing Conservation Program
• Written Program
• Exposure Monitoring
• Audiometric Testing
• Record Keeping/Access
• Hearing Protection
• Employee Training

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Exposure Monitoring

• Employers are required to monitor employee
  noise-exposure levels to identify those who are
  exposed at or above 85 dBA.
• Employees must be notified of results.
• Re-monitor whenever changes in exposures occur.
• New employees

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Monitoring Results
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Employee Training

• Annual Training
• The effects of noise on hearing
• Hearing protectors- purpose, types and use
• Purpose of audiometric testing
• Noise measurement records hearing test results

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EFFECTS OF NOISE ON HEARING
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Effects of Noise Exposure

• Hearing loss from noise exposure is usually not
  noticed because it is so gradual.
• Damage from noise exposure depends on the
  loudness and length of exposure.
• Often the first noticeable effects is difficulty
  in hearing speech.

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Effects of Noise Exposure

• Usually a person loses the ability to hear higher
  pitches first.
• Scientific studies have shown that hearing loss
  can occur when 8-hour average noise exposure or
  85 decibels.

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Effects of Noise Exposure

• Exposure to high noise levels can also cause
  permanent ringing in the ear or tinnitus.
• Tinnitus sufferers usually complain of constant
  whistling, squealing, roaring or buzzing in one
  or both ears.
• Severe tinnitus may disrupt sleep, reduce
  concentration and cause irritability and
  depression.

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Hearing Protectors
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Hearing Protectors

• Available to all employees at or above 85 dBA
• Selection of size and type that is appropriate
• Ensure that they are worn correctly
• Shown how to use and care for protectors

• Offers sufficient protection
• Use the NRR minus 7 (A-weighting correction)
• Comfortable
• At least 2 distinct styles

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Types of Hearing Protectors

• Helmets
• Earmuffs
• Canal Caps

• Earplugs
• Formable
• Custom-molded
• Pre-molded

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Ear Muffs-Advantages

• Ear muffs cover the whole ear and are preferred
  by some people.
• They have replaceable pads and some high-tech
  styles filter out specific noise pitches.
• They last longer than most plugs.

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Ear Muff Disadvantages

• Muffs can be uncomfortable in hot weather.
• Muffs dont seal well for someone with glasses or
  heavy sideburns.

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Ear Plugs

• Earplugs are made of foam, rubber or plastic and
  are either one-size-fits-all or in sizes small,
  medium and large.
• Some are disposable,
• some are reusable.
• They are lightweight, and require no maintenance.

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Ear Plugs

• Some people may find ear plugs uncomfortable to
  wear for long periods at first.
• Ear plugs rarely cause infection or prolonged
  irritation of the ear canal.
• Most people can find a comfortable fit by trying
  several different sizes, types or brands.
• Custom-molded earplugs can be obtained for
  maximum comfort.

custom molded earplugs
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Noise Reduction Rating

• The noise reduction rating or NRR of hearing
  protection is measured in decibels.
• The NRR is found on the earmuff or earplug
  package. The higher the number, the greater the
  protection.

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Inserting Foam Earplugs

• Foam type earplugs are one-size-fits-all and must
  be inserted properly into the ear.

Roll earplug into small cylinder first, then
insert in ear.
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Inserting Foam Earplugs
Earplug incorrectly inserted
Earplug correctly inserted
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Proper Use of Hearing Protection

• It takes just a few minutes of unprotected
  exposure at noise above 115 decibels to risk
  hearing damage.
• Earplugs not well inserted into the ear canal
  will not provide complete protection.
• Likewise, earmuffs not snug against the head will
  leak noise into the ear.

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How Can You Hear Anything With Hearing
Protectors?

• Using earmuffs or plugs in noisy areas actually
  makes it easier to hear coworkers or machinery.
• They reduce overwhelming loud background noise.
• They are similar to dark glasses that reduce the
  suns glare making it easier to see.

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Hearing Protection Available at our Company

• Ear Muffs
• Ear Plugs
• Form fit devices
• Kept at Maintenance Shop or District Office

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Audiometric Testing

• Audiometric testing is required by WISHA for any
  employees exposed to 85 dBA or above.
• Audiometric testing is the same thing as
  hearing test.
• Conducted by trained technicians to detect any
  hearing loss.

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How Does Audiometric Testing Work?

• When you are first hired, or at program
  implementation a baseline test is taken.
• The testing is repeated every year after that and
  compared to the baseline test result.
• If a hearing loss is detected, you will be
  referred to a doctor or audiologist.

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Purpose of Audiometric Testing

• Detect early stages of hearing loss.
• Change in noise exposure
• Most of us develop a mild hearing loss as we age,
  especially in the higher pitches.
• Medical condition of the ear unrelated to noise
  exposure.

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Audiometric Testing

• Audiometric testing produces printed audiograms
  which show hearing ability at several pitches or
  frequencies.
• If there is hearing loss of 10 decibels or more
  in the human voice frequencies, you will be sent
  to the doctor or audiologist.

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RECORDKEEPING

• Noise monitoring results (kept for 2 years)
• Job assignments and noise exposure history
• Hearing protection devices used
• Hearing test results (kept for duration of
  employment), one given to employee
• Records are accessible at District Office

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Management Responsibility

• Provide hearing protection devices
• Demonstrate commitmentwear HPDs
• Provide hearing protection training
• Enforce the use of HPDs
• Knowledgeable in HPD selection and use
• Encourage questions and solve problems

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Employee Responsibility

• Understand the need for Hearing Protection
  Devices (HPDs)
• Wear HPDs and seek replacements
• Encourage co-workers to wear HPDs
• Communicate problems to supervisors

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Noise Quiz

• What happens when people are exposed to
  excessive noise?
• a) They cant hear someone talking to them
• b) Over a period of time, they will develop
  hearing loss
• c) Some people may develop permanent ringing in
  their ears
• d) Some people will be stressed out by constant
  exposure to loud noise

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Noise Quiz

• What is the lowest level of noise that can cause
  hearing loss?
• When it hurts your ears
• 65 decibels
• c) 85 decibels
• d) An average of 85 decibels over 8 hours

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Noise Quiz

• What is NRR?
• The noise level of rifles
• The noise rating of any loud machinery
• The noise reduction rating of hearing protection
• A measure of how well earplugs work

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Noise Quiz

• Ear plugs work better than ear muffs in blocking
  out noise.
• a) True
• b) False
• c) It depends

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Noise Quiz

• Why is audiometric testing required?
• a) To make sure you havent gone deaf
• b) To test for any hearing loss during your
  employment
• c) To test the noise of machinery
• d) To see how well you remember noise training

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What Did You Learn?