Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.95

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Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.95
Hearing Conservation
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Agenda

• Today youll be learning about
• Hearing and Noise exposure
• Audiometric testing (hearing tests)
• Hearing protection (ear plugs, muffs, etc.)
• Hearing conservation training

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Hearing Conservation What is it?

• Hearing Conservation is a company program that
• Establishes the noise levels present in various
  areas of our facility
• Outlines the steps required to protect employee
  hearing in those areas.

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How we hear

• Noise is a series of vibrations that travel
  through the air as waves. The sound waves strike
  our ear drum and cause it to vibrate, which in
  turn causes the liquid within our inner ear to
  vibrate.
• Inside of our inner ear are hair-like projections
  called cilia. Nerves are attached to the cilia,
  and as they move with the liquid, nerve impulses
  are transmitted to the brain.
• Prolonged exposure to excessive noise causes the
  cilia to fail and become unable to transmit sound
  impulses.
• Once the cilia fail from overexposure to noise,
  we have lost our hearing. This is called
  NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS
• Usually, surgery, hearing aids, etc. are of
  limited use to correct noise-induced hearing
  loss.

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Noise

• Noise is unwanted sound
• Noise at or above 85 decibels (dB) for a long
  duration can cause permanent loss to our hearing
• Loss can also come from an impact noise of 140dB
  or greater
• Some noise comparisons are
• Normal conversation/office 60 decibels
• Busy traffic 75 decibels
• Woodshop noise 100 decibels
• Chainsaw 110 decibels
• We monitor noise in our facility Areas with
  exposure at or above 85dBA are addressed in the
  Hearing Conservation Program

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Audiograms

• Audiograms are hearing tests. Sounds are
  presented to you at the following frequencies,
  measured in Hertz (cycles per second)
• -500 -3000
• -1000 -4000
• -2000 -6000 The larger the number, the
  higher the pitch of the sound

• Sounds are presented through ear phones while you
  sit in a very quiet room or booth
• You will be asked to respond by pushing a button
  or by raising your hand

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Audiogram results

• The results of your audiogram are recorded and
  compared to your baseline audiogram
• The baseline audiogram is the record of either
  your first audiogram or of an audiogram where a
  significant change in your hearing was noted
• If your audiogram shows that your hearing has
  worsened by an average of 10 dB or more in the
  2000, 3000 or 4000 Hertz frequencies, you will be
  told that you have a standard threshold shift, or
  STS, and special procedures will be followed to
  ensure that your hearing loss is stabilized.

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Standard Threshold Shift (STS)

• If you have an STS, you may have suffered a
  noise-induced hearing loss
• Noise-induced hearing loss is usually a slow
  developing process that is insidious, which
  means that you do not recognize the loss because
  it is so gradual it sneaks up on you.
• The insidious nature of noise-induced hearing
  loss is often the reason that employees fail to
  follow the rules to prevent it They dont
  realize that the noise exposure is hurting them

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Signs of hearing loss

• Early signs of hearing loss
• -Conversations seem muffled
• -You increase TV and radio volume
• -You keep asking others to speak up
• Long-term effects of hearing loss
• -You cant engage in conversations with others
• -You are unable to enjoy TV, movies and other
  entertainment
• -You can become socially isolated
• Think of someone that you know who has
  significant hearing loss

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Preventing hearing loss

• The only way to prevent noise-induced hearing
  loss is to wear hearing protection in areas with
  noise exposure at or greater than 85dB
• Areas in our facility where hearing protection is
  required include areas we will discuss now
• You must also wear hearing protection when you
  are at home and engaging in activities with high
  noise exposure such as
• -Working with power tools
• -Working with small engine powered tools
• -Shooting
• Noise exposure at home will have the same effect
  as noise exposure at work both can cause hearing
  loss

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Hearing protectors

• Hearing protectors are available at work and must
  be worn when and where required
• All hearing protectors are evaluated and approved
  for use in our facility they work!
• General rules for hearing protectors
• -Read and follow the package instructions
• -Be sure your hands are clean when handling ear
  plugs
• -Keep re-usable hearing protection clean and
  store the equipment properly when not in use
• Lets look at hearing protection that you will be
  using

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Training and information

• You will receive annual Hearing Conservation
  training that includes rules for our facility,
  available hearing protection and how to use it,
  and other important information
• You will receive an annual audiogram - if any
  significant change is noted you will be notified
  in writing
• You have access to a copy of the OSHA standard
  Occupational Noise Exposure. You can ask the
  program administrator to see a copy. There is
  also a copy posted in our facility

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Conclusion

• Hearing loss can occur from excessive exposure to
  loud noise at work and at home
• Once noise-induced hearing loss has occurred,
  medication, surgery and hearing aids are of
  limited use for treatment
• Noise-induced hearing loss can make it almost
  impossible to communicate with others
• Hearing loss can only be prevented by wearing
  hearing protection at work and at home

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For more information

• For more information regarding Hearing
  Conservation, or other safety issues, please
  contact
• Gregory Appel Insurance
• Mike Salazar, Vice President
• Direct 317-686-6407
• Email msalazar_at_gregoryappel.com