Hearing Conservation and

Noise ControlBureau of Workers’ Comp

PA Training for Health & Safety

(PATHS)

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29 CFR 1910.95

Why??????

• It’s the LAW

• Quality of Life

• Gradual/Painless

Huh? What?

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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 – Person’s resistance

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How Loud is Loud?

• Jet engine 140 db• Threshold of Pain 125 db• Pneumatic hammer 110 db• Compressed Air 105+ db• Punch Press 95 db• Lawn Mower 90 db• Conversation 65 db

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Hearing Protective EquipmentAdvantages/Disadvantages

• Cotton Balls – Virtually no protection

• Canal Blockers/Ear Pods – Only cover opening of ear canal

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Hearing Protective EquipmentAdvantages/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

Manufacturer’s 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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OSHA’s 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 dB = 1.5 hours105 dB = 1.0 hours110 dB = 30 minutes115 dB = 15 minutes

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*At or above = controls: Engineering, Administrative, PPE

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 you’re not sure you should check with your Supervisor!

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Questions?

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