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Safety Training for Hearing Conservationin the
Construction Industry
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Disclaimer/Usage Notes

• Photos shown in this presentation may depict
  situations that are not in compliance with
  applicable OSHA/MSHA/FHWA requirements.
• It is not the intent of the content developers to
  provide compliance-based training in this
  presentation, the intent is more to address
  hazard awareness in the construction and mining
  industry, and to recognize the overlapping
  hazards present in many workplaces.
• It should NOT be assumed that the suggestions,
  comments, or recommendations contained herein
  constitute a thorough review of the applicable
  standards, nor should discussion of issues or
  concerns be construed as a prioritization of
  hazards or possible controls. Where opinions
  (best practices) have been expressed, it is
  important to remember that safety issues in
  general and jobsites specifically will require a
  great deal of site- or hazard-specificity a
  one size fits all approach is not recommended,
  nor will it likely be very effective.

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Disclaimer/Usage Notes (continued)

• No representation is made as to the thoroughness
  of the presentation, nor to the exact methods of
  remediation to be taken. It is understood that
  site conditions vary constantly, and that the
  developers of this content cannot be held
  responsible for safety problems they did not
  address or could not anticipate, nor those which
  have been discussed herein or during physical
  presentation. It is the responsibility of the
  employer, its subcontractors, and its employees
  to comply with all pertinent rules and
  regulations in the jurisdiction in which they
  work.
• It is assumed that individuals using this
  presentation or content to augment their training
  programs will be qualified to do so, and that
  said presenters will be otherwise prepared to
  answer questions, solve problems, and discuss
  issues with their audiences.
• Areas of particular concern (or especially suited
  to discussion) have additional information
  provided in the notes section of slides
  throughout the programas a presenter, you should
  be prepared to discuss all of the potential
  issues/concerns, or problems inherent in those
  photos particularly.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Discuss Hearing Program Requirements.
• Discuss The Types of Hearing Protection.
• Discuss Hearing Protection Selection Criteria.
• Discuss Hearing Protection Assessment Techniques.
• Discuss Basic Skills in Hazard Recognition
  Control.
• Discuss OSHAS Requirements for Hearing
  Protection.
• Discuss Hearing Protections Role in Todays
  Industry.
• Discuss Industrial Hazards Requiring Hearing
  Protection.

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APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
29CFR - SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS
1910 - INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
95 - OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE
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APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
CONTENTS OF 29 CFR 1910.95

• a. A-Weighted Sound Level Determination
• b. Permissible Noise Exposures
• c. Program Requirements
• d. Monitoring Requirements
• e. Employee Notification
• f. Observation of Monitoring
• g. Audiometric Testing Program
• h. Audiometric Testing Requirements
• i. Hearing Protectors
• j. Hearing Protector Attenuation

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APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
(Continued)
CONTENTS OF 29 CFR 1910.95

• k. Training Program
• l. Access to Information and Training
  Materials
• m. Recordkeeping
• n. Appendices
• A - Noise Exposure Computation
• B - Estimating Hearing Protection
  Attenuation
• C - Audiometric Measuring
  Instruments
• D - Audiometric Test Rooms
• E - Acoustical Calibration of
  Audiometers
• F - Age Correction Calculations For
  Audiograms
• G - Monitoring Noise Levels
• H - Availability of Referenced
  Documents

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GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
ALL EMPLOYERS MUST

• Establish a Written Program
• Conduct Audiometric Testing
• Address Noise Exposure Standards
• Conduct Regular Program Evaluations
• Conduct Work Area Noise Surveillance
• Conduct Hearing Conservation Training
• Control Hazards Using Ear Protectors as a Last
  Resort
• Ensure Proper Selection of Noise Exposure
  Equipment

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TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
THE EMPLOYER MUST PROVIDE TRAINING

• Training Must Establish Proficiency in use of
  Protectors.
• Explain The Operation, Capabilities, and
  Limitations.
• Training Must be Conducted Prior to Job
  Assignment.
• Explain The Reason Hearing Protection is
  Needed.
• Explain Why a Hearing Protector has been
  Selected.
• Explain Proper Maintenance and Storage of
  Protectors.
• Explain Inspection, and Proper Wear.
• Explain The Nature, Extent and Effects of Noise
  Hazards.
• Provide Explanation of Why Engineering Controls
  are not in Use.

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RETRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• REQUIRED WHEN THERE IS A
• Program Related Injury.
• Change in Job Assignment.
• New Hazards or Equipment.
• New Hazard Control Methods.
• Failure in the Safety Procedures.
• Reason to Doubt Employee Proficiency.

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HEARING CONSERVATION TRAINING IS IMPORTANT
A GOOD PROGRAM WILL HELP

• Reduce injury and illness rates.
• Acceptance of high-turnover jobs.
• Workers feel better about their work.
• Reduce workers compensation costs.
• Elevate OSHA compliance to a higher level.

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HEARING CONSERVATION TRAINING PREVENTION
It is estimated that in the United States, 97
of the money spent for medical care is directed
toward treatment of an illness, injury or
disability. Only 3 is spent on
prevention. Self-help Manual for your
Back H. Duane Saunders, MSPT by Educational
Opportunities
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PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
IMPLEMENTATION OF A HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
REQUIRES

• DEDICATION
• PERSONAL INTEREST
• MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT

NOTE UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT FROM THE WORK
FORCE IS ESSENTIAL, WITHOUT IT THE PROGRAM WILL
FAIL!
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PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Continued
DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE

• Establish responsibility.
• Establish a corporate policy and develop rules.
• Conduct a noise survey of the facility.
• Determine appropriate noise control measures.
• Eliminate noise hazards where possible.
• Conduct employee training.
• Provide protection where hazard elimination is
  not possible.
• Perform inspections and maintenance.
• Periodically audit the program.
• Modify policies and rules as appropriate.

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PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Continued
DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE

• The initial goal should be to reduce or
  eliminate noise
• hazards by
• 1. Elimination or substitution of noise
  producing sources.
• 2. Insulating equipment to lower noise
  levels.
• 3. Implementation of administrative
  controls.
• 4. Implementation of engineering controls.
• 5. Issuance of hearing protection
  equipment.
• 6. Providing training and procedures.

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Continued

• RECOGNITION

• EVALUATION

• IMPLEMENTATION

• CONTROL

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Continued

• RECOGNITION

• ASSESSMENT OF NOISE HAZARDS
• Known jobs/areas having high noise sources.
• Known jobs/areas requiring noise protection.
• Jobs/areas having had recent operational changes.
• Jobs/areas with new equipment or processes.
• New jobs having little or no statistical injury
  data.

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Continued

• RECOGNITION

• EVALUATION

• IMPLEMENTATION

• CONTROL

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Continued

• EVALUATION
• Facility audit data.
• Employee surveys.
• Accident investigations.
• Industrial Hygiene surveys.
• Logs of employee complaints.
• Organizational structure development.
• Statistical evidence of known/potential hazards.
• Injury and illness data of known/potential
  hazards.

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Continued

• RECOGNITION

• EVALUATION

• IMPLEMENTATION

• CONTROL

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Continued

• IMPLEMENTATION
• Written program.
• Training program.
• Employee involvement.
• Supervisor involvement.
• Corrective action program.
• Job hazard analysis program.
• Organizational structure establishment.
• Safety in purchasing (new equipment, products
  ect.)

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Continued

• RECOGNITION

• EVALUATION

• IMPLEMENTATION

• CONTROL

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Continued

• CONTROL
• Periodic facility audits.
• Written program reviews.
• Industrial Hygiene surveys.
• Employee feedback surveys.
• Job hazard analysis reviews.
• Recurrent training programs.
• Supervisor feedback surveys.
• Periodic statistical evaluations.
• Corrective action follow-up measures.

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Continued

• CONTROL MEASURES CONSIDERATIONS
• Capital improvement plan to eliminated hazards.
• Costs involved in implementing control measures.
• Length of time necessary for implementation.
• Level of urgency in implementation.
• Compatibility with existing controls.
• Cost of hearing protection equipment.
• Anticipated problems with employee use.

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Continued

• PRIORITIZATION CONSIDERATIONS
• Severity of injuries as a result of hazards.
• Consequences of an injury at the worksite.
• Likelihood that the operation will have an
  injury.
• The length of exposure to the hazard.
• Long-term effects of noise exposure.

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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS INCLUDE

• 1. Noise Exposure Monitoring
• 2. Engineering and Administrative Controls
• 3. Audiometric Evaluation
• 4. Use of Hearing Protection Devices
• 5. Training and Motivation
• 6. Recordkeeping
• 7. Program Evaluation

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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued)

• NOISE EXPOSURE MONITORING
• Define Survey Goals
• Characterize the Hazard Accurately
• - Area Surveys
• - Noise Dosimetry
• - Engineering Surveys
• Ensure Results are Representative
• Identify Affected Employees
• Evaluate Specific Noise Sources
• Prioritize Noise Control Efforts

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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued)

• ENGINEERING AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS
• Reducing Reverberation and Echo's
• Reducing Structure-borne Vibrations
• Initiate Physical Changes at the Noise Source
• Modify or Replace of Equipment
• Physical Changes in the Transmission Path
• Examples Include
• - Sound Absorbing Material
• - Mufflers on Noise Sources
• - Acoustical Enclosures and Barriers
• - Vibration Mounts and Proper Lubrication

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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued)

• AUDIOMETRIC EVALUATION
• Should be Performed
• 1. Pre-employment
• 2. Prior to Initial Work Assignment
• 3. Annually if the Employee Stays in the
  Same Job
• 4. At Reassignment Out of a Noisy Job
• 5. At the Termination of Employment
• Employees Who are Not Noise Exposed can be
• Tested to Provide a Comparison Group to
  Determine
• the Overall Effectiveness of the Program.
  The Two
• Groups should Show the Same Amount of
  Audiometric
• Change if the Program is Effective.

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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued)

• AUDIOMETRIC EVALUATION (Continued)
• Must be administered with calibrated equipment
• Testing must have acceptable background sounds
  levels
• The same type of audiometer should be used year
  to year
• Only accredited technicians should be used
• Standardized testing methods should be used
• An Audiologist or Physician should supervise
  testing

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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued)

• TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES
• Ear Muffs (Circumaural)
• Semi-Inserts (Semi-Aural)
• Inserts (Aural)

Each type has advantages and disadvantages
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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued)

• TRAINING AND MOTIVATION
• Employees are the program
• Job-specific training is essential
• Annual recurrent training recommended
• Active employee participation is essential
• Training is essential to employee motivation
• Training needed for
• - Managers
• - Supervisors
• - Affected employees
• - Maintenance personnel

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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued)

• RECORDKEEPING
• Purpose of the examination
• Specific equipment used and calibration dates
• Name of the tester
• Date and time of the test
• Auditory history information
• The hearing threshold values obtained
• Testers judgment of the subjects response
  reliability
• Record of any refitting, reissuing, or
  retraining
• Testers comments, if any

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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued)

• RETENTION OF RECORDS
• Noise exposure measurement records - 25 years
• Audiometric test records - Duration of
  employment

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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued)

• PROGRAM EVALUATION
• Two basic approaches
• - Evaluate the programs components
• - Evaluate the audiometric data

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PROGRAM REVIEW EVALUATION
EVALUATION TECHNIQUES INCLUDE

• Noise surveys (area and personal)
• Job hazard analysis assessments.
• Employee surveys.
• Review of results of facility evaluations.
• Analysis of trends in injury/illness rates.
• Up-to-date records of logs of noise hazard
  improvements tried or implemented.
• Before and after surveys/evaluations of
  job/worksite noise protection changes.

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WRITTEN PROGRAM

• WRITTEN PROGRAMS MUST BE
• DEVELOPED
• IMPLEMENTED
• CONTROLLED
• JOB SPECIFIC
• UNDERSTANDABLE
• SUFFICIENTLY DETAILED
• PERIODICALLY REVIEWED

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THE SUPERVISORS ROLE

• CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING

1. GET INVOLVED IN THE HAZARD ASSESSMENTS. 2.
OBTAIN ASSISTANCE (IF NEEDED) FROM EXPERTS IN THE
FIELD OF CONCERN. 3. COMPLETE THE PAPERWORK
(WORK ORDERS, POLICY CHANGES, ETC.) TO
MAKE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS. 4. ATTEND THE SAME
TRAINING AS YOUR WORKERS. 5. FOLLOW-UP ON THE
ACTIONS YOU TOOK.
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HEARING PROTECTION SITUATIONS

• WORK INVOLVING
• Chain saws
• Construction
• Lawn mowing
• Sand blasting
• Jack hammers
• Spray painting
• Musical performances
• Grinders, lathes, saws
• Manufacturing operations
• Exposure during maintenance duties

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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
OUTER EAR - MIDDLE EAR - INNER EAR
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• THE COCHLEA AND THE INNER EAR
• A fluid filled sound reception chamber
• Contains thousands of tiny hair cells
• The cells respond to sound waves made in the
  fluid
• The cells pass the sensation on to the auditory
  nerve

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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• SENSORI-NEURAL HEARING LOSS
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Damages the hair cells or auditory nerves
• If the noise is stopped hair cells can bounce
  back
• Damage can be temporary

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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• SENSORI-NEURAL HEARING LOSS
• If the noise continues hair cells cant bounce
  back
• Damage can be permanent!

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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• NOISE MEASUREMENT
• Decibel (dB)
• - A unit of measurement for sound pressure
• 085 Decibels (dB) is max for the average
  workday
• 140 Decibels (dB) is max for impulse or impact
  noise

No exposures in excess of 140dB peak sound
pressure level are permitted. Impulsive or
impact noise is considered to be those variations
in noise levels at intervals of greater than one
per second. Where the intervals are less than
one second, it should be considered continuous.
Source ACGIH
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• NOISE MEASUREMENT (Continued)

• Sound is measured in two ways
• 1. Frequency
• 2. Intensity

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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
FREQUENCY The pitch -- how high or low the
sound is. Expressed in cycles per second (CPS).
Most people can hear pitches between 20 CPS and
20,000 CPS.
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
INTENSITY The loudness of sound. Expressed in
units called decibels (dB). the more dBs, the
louder the sound. One decibel in the smallest
unit of sound a person can hear.
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
NOISE REDUCTION RATING (NRR) A single number
measure of the amount of attenuation of sound
that a hearing protection device will reduce
outside sound to. Expressed in units of decibels
(dB).
85dB
NRR 40dB
45dB
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE
The TLV is the upper limit of noise as measured
in decibels averaged over an eight hour work day
to which an average healthy person may be
repeatedly exposed on an all-day, everyday basis
without suffering adverse hearing loss.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienist (ACGIH).
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• THRESHOLD SHIFT
• Hearing loss caused from noise can raise your
• hearing-threshold -- the degree of loudness
  at which
• you first begin to hear sound. Two types of
  shifts can
• occur
• 1. Temporary threshold shift
• 2. Permanent threshold shift

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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• TEMPORARY THRESHOLD SHIFT
• Most of the loss occurs in the first two hours
• Workers may not hear sound under 40db after
  work
• Hearing returns within two hours after
  exposure stops
• The loss can become permanent with long exposure

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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• PERMANENT THRESHOLD SHIFT
• Usually no physical signs
• Early signs may be tinnitus, ringing, muffling
  of sound
• Hearing no longer returns within two hours
• The loss starts in high frequencies and may
  spread

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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• WORK SOURCES FACTORS AFFECTING HEARING

• Age
• Pitch
• Loudness
• Surroundings
• Type of machines
• Position of source
• Length of exposure
• Previous ear trouble
• Distance from source
• Think about your personal work habits!

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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• HOME SOURCES FACTORS AFFECTING HEARING

• Chain saws
• Race tracks
• Air hammers
• Trap shooting
• Starting pistols
• Musical groups
• Stereo systems
• Mowing the lawn
• Think about your personal lifestyle!

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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
HOW LOUD IS LOUD?
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
HOW LOUD IS LOUD?
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• EXTREMELY HIGH, LOUD NOISE
• Can cause Traumatic Hearing Loss
• - May be caused by a single exposure to
  loud noise
• - Less common than other types of hearing
  damage
• Can cause other effects in the work place
• - Contributes to poor communication at work
• - Unpleasant sound may cause fear, anger
  etc.
• - Noise may cause fatigue or distractions

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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued

• WHEN IS NOISE TOO LOUD?
• You have to raise your voice to be heard.
• You cant hear someone less than 2 feet away
  from you.
• Speech sounds muffled after you leave a noisy
  area.
• You have ringing in your ears after exposure to
  noise.

- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
AN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST SHOULD BE CONSULTED
REGARDING THE TYPE OF HEARING PROTECTION TO BE
USED WITH YOUR OPERATION! THE FOLLOWING ARE
GENERAL GUIDELINES ONLY!
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued

• TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES
• Ear Muffs (Circumaural)
• Semi-Inserts (Semi-Aural)
• Inserts (Aural)

Each type has advantages and disadvantages
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued

• EAR MUFFS (CIRCUMAURAL)
• Surround the ear to reduce sound
• Very effective at reducing sound
• One size usually fits everyone
• Can be expensive
• Cleaning can be time-consuming
• Bulk can be a problem
• Can be uncomfortable in hot conditions
• Can be attached to
• - Helmets
• - Bump caps
• - Hard hats

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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued

• SEMI-INSERTS (SEMI-AURAL)
• Insert partially into the ear
• Snug fit is essential
• Moderately effective at reducing sound
• Do not always effectively seal ear canal
• One size fits all
• Large variety of shapes
• Cleaning is simple
• Bulk is not a problem
• Comfortable in hot conditions

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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued

• INSERTS (AURAL)
• Training is essential to proper use
• Insert into the ear
• Snug fit is essential
• Moderately effective at reducing sound
• Do not always effectively seal ear canal
• Large variety of shapes
• Cleaning is simple
• Bulk is not a problem
• Comfortable in hot conditions

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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued

• INSERTS (Available in three forms)
• Premolded Inserts - which may be universal-
• fitted or sized.
• Custom Molded Inserts - which are either
• fabricated at a factory from an impression
• taken of the ear canal or designed so that
  the
• impression itself becomes the final device.
• User Molded Inserts - which may be reusable
• or disposable, expand in the ear canal to
  form
• a seal after they are rolled and inserted.

Continued
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued

• SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
• Will they effectively reduce sound levels?
• Comfort - will the users wear them?
• Cost
• Ease of use and repair
• Sizing and fitting ranges
• Dielectric considerations
• Training and skill for use
• Durability and life expectancy
• Anthropometric considerations
• Availability of replacement parts
• Size, weight, pressure, adjustability

Continued
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued

• SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
• Visibility
• Pilferability
• Storage shelf life
• Climatic susceptibility
• Susceptibility to abuse
• Hygienic considerations
• Will the users like them?
• Susceptibility to alteration
• Confined space considerations
• Work environment susceptibility
• Compatibility with other equipment

Continued
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INSPECTION AND CARE OF HEARING PROTECTION
EQUIPMENT
Continued
HEARING DEVICE CHECKLIST

• Do a fit test to ensure proper seal.
• Receive proper training in its use.
• Provide proper care for equipment.
• Ensure hazard levels are known.
• Review noise exposure limits.
• Receive annual and recurrent training.
• Select correct hearing protection devices.

• Follow local policies and procedures.
• Wear only approved hearing protection devices.
• Wear only devices on which you have received
  training.

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INSPECTION AND CARE OF HEARING PROTECTION
EQUIPMENT
Continued
INSPECTION CONSIDERATIONS

• Develop a detailed inspection policy.
• Document each inspection.
• Inspect all components before use.
• Tag as unusable, damaged equipment.
• Inspect equipment before each use (without
  exception).
• Separate damaged equipment from serviceable
  equipment.
• Consider the effects on equipment stored for
  long periods.
• Remove contaminated equipment from service
  immediately.

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INSPECTION AND CARE OF HEARING PROTECTION
EQUIPMENT
Continued
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING CONSIDERATIONS

• Read the manufactures guidelines first!
• Disassemble (if needed) in accordance with
  procedures.
• Scrub devices in detergent and warm water.
• Rinse to remove detergent.
• Air-dry, do not dry rubber under heat or
  sunlight.
• Never use solvents to clean plastic or rubber.

STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS

• Protect from sunlight, heat, cold, moisture and
  chemicals!
• Place devices in individual sealable plastic
  bags