Hearing protection

While the language of OSHA’s Occupational Noise Standard (CFR 29 1910.95) may appear convoluted, its dictates are rather straightforward, says Renee Bessette, certified occupational hearing conservationist and marketing manager at Sperian Hearing Protection.

“Implementing an OSHA-approved hearing conservation program is not as daunting as it seems,” says Bessette. “There are a number of best practices that safety program managers can employ that help ensure compliance with regulations and promote positive employee attitudes toward hearing safety.”

Know your sound levels
The first of these is to know what you’re dealing with, says Bessette. “While area and personal sound level monitoring is required by OSHA, it’s important to document changing conditions and to notify employees whenever new equipment, processes or other changes affect noise hazards,” Bessette says. Bessette recommends posting noise maps in readily accessible areas to let workers know where hearing protection devices (HPDs) are required. Bessette also suggests tracking occupational noise exposure histories in employee personnel records to help audiologists interpret employee audiograms.

Provide variety
In selecting hearing protectors, OSHA mandates that a variety of suitable hearing protectors be provided. Quite often, a safety manager will interpret this to mean offering one earplug in corded and uncorded styles. However, Bessette suggests offering a wider variety. “Everyone’s ears are different, and one earplug or earmuff style may not be comfortable for the entire workforce. There is a wide range of HPDs available.”

The wide variety of HPDs are designed for specific applications and/or worker preference, ranging from high-visibility, ultra-slim and cap-mounted earmuffs to earplugs that adapt to the unique contours of each ear canal and banded earplugs that can be quickly inserted during intermittent noise. Employers should offer workers several different styles, including single- and multiple-use earplugs, as well as earmuffs.
“Safety managers should include a group of workers from different areas in the selection process to improve worker acceptance and compliance,” she says.

Train the users
Workers must also be trained in identifying hazardous noise, methods to prevent noise exposure, and proper HPD use. “Protection can be dangerously reduced with improper insertion. Praise workers who always wear HPDs and encourage workers to take extra earplugs home. Many workers use power tools, attend loud rock concerts or sporting events, or participate in shooting sports — all opportunities for exposure to hazardous noise levels. Prevention is the key, on the job and off,” she says.

Make it a team effort
The best practice, Bessette says, is to make hearing conservation a team effort. Assemble a cross-departmental team for your hearing conservation program to enhance support, provide input, and help implementation in a variety of areas.

“In addition to safety management, include a committee of workers in the program, and additional staff from human resources, purchasing, engineering, and the company audiologist to make sure all aspects of the program are in place. It’s key to get buy-in from senior management because top-down compliance has a positive influence on the overall program,” says Bessette. “It sends a clear signal to the entire company that management cares about everyone’s hearing safety.”

Published in the July/August 2008 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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