1. Presented by Amanda Rawls South Central District Team Leader

2. Amanda Rawls, SC Team Leader BS Environmental Science Master of Environmental Management 7 years of E&S Experience 4 years with KPA Lives in Austin, Texas 3. Hearing Conservation Sound can be a health problem Hearing loss can occur depending on: 1. The intensity of the noise 2. Duration of the noise 4. Hearing Conservation Why does hazardous noise matter? Webinar Purpose: The ear and sound Effects on the body Personal Protective Equipment OSHA Regulations Hearing Conservation Program 5. The Facts About Hearing Loss Hearing loss is a leading occupational illness 15% of workers continuously exposed to noises >85 dBA will develop hearing impairment Tools, equipment, and power tools are a main source of noise exposure Occupational noise control is possible! 6. How Much Do You Know? True or False Employees are responsible for providing their own hearing protection devices? False A selection like ear plugs and ear muffs must be provided at employers expense 7. How Much Do You Know? True or False Noise induced hearing loss will affect an employees ability to understand speech? True The first symptom is not being able to hear high pitched noise 8. How Much Do You Know? True or False There are physical symptoms that can occur when an employee is exposed to hazardous noise levels? True Tinnitis (ringing in the ear) Hearing Impairment 9. How Much Do You Know? True or False When using hearing protection an employees ability to communicate with other workers is greatly reduced or impaired? False Hearing protection reduces environmental noise level AND speech loudness level equally 10. How Much Do You Know? True or False Exposure to loud noise can cause negative health effects other than hearing loss? True Sleep disorders Stress reactions leading to fatigue Increased hypertension Increased heart rate Metabolic changes 11. The Ear and Sound 12. The Ear and Sound Average person born with 40,000 hair cells Hair cells die naturally as we age or through injury and infection Hair cells are damaged by noise when loudness and length of time exposed traumatize these cells Hair cells in the cochlea 13. The Ear and Sound Hazardous Noise - Any noise that is louder than 85 decibels that the human ear is exposed to for 8 or more hours. 14. Sound loudness is measured in decibels (dB) A sound at 80 dB is 10x stronger than a sound of 70 dB The Ear and Sound 15. Effects of Loud Noise Physical Symptoms of noise exposure: Hypertension Elevated Blood Pressure Levels Balance Dysfunction Impaired Equilibrium Reduced effectiveness of audible warning devices Increase threat of injury due to reduced communication 16. Effects of Noise on Hearing Permanent Threshold Shift (PTS) Is like TTS except that recovery is not 100%. PTS can be caused bye extremely loud noises or long durations of moderately loud noises Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS) Can be produced by a short exposure to high level sound and will usually diminish after several hours in a quite environment Types of Hearing Impairment: 17. What does impaired hearing sound like? 18. Dealership Noise Service Department Air Operated Tools Hammering Air Compressors Detail Department Pressure Car Washers Vacuums Compressed Air Blow Guns 19. Dealership Noise Body Shop Department Grinding Air Operated Tools Hammering Orbital Sanders Chiseling Air Compressors 20. Prevention of Hearing Loss Procedural Controls - First Line of Defense Operating Procedures Buy and use tools & equipment that create less noise (ex hand tools) Employee Awareness Know what the noise levels are for equipment used Eliminate non-essential noise sources (ex stereos) 21. Prevention of Hearing Loss How to choose which PPE works best for you? 1. Current hearing ability 2. Exposure to noise over the whole day 3. Your need to communicate on the job 4. Other PPE employees will wear, i.e. safety glasses 5. Temperature and climate 6. Physical constraints of work activity 7. Anatomical differences 22. Prevention of Hearing Injuries Earplugs Disposable Provides minimum protection Cost effective Ear Muffs Re-usable Provides moderate protection Best for high frequency 15-30 dBA reduction if fitted properly 23. Prevention of Hearing Injuries Two things to remember: Fit and Care of PPE 24. Prevention of Hearing Injuries Top Three Excuses: 1. It is not supplied 2. It is uncomfortable 3. It is not part of my routine 25. OSHA Hearing Conservation Program OSHAs Hearing Conservation Program Requires: 1. Monitor all work areas 2. Provide engineering controls to help reduce noise 3. Provide hearing tests for all noise-exposed employees 4. Provide hearing protection to reduce the effects of hazardous workplace noise 26. What monitoring is required? Identify employees exposed to noise at or above 85 dB averaged over 8 working hours (TWA) OSHA Hearing Conservation Program Noise level must constantly be 85 dB! Exposure measurement includes all continuous, intermittent, and impulsive noise within an 80 dB and 130 dB range Must be a normal work day 27. What is audiometric testing? Monitors an employees hearing over time OSHA Hearing Conservation Program Important Program Elements: Baseline Audiograms Annual Audiograms Training Following Up Procedures Testing must be free Required for employees exposed to 85 dB or above, 8-hour TWA 28. Baseline Audiogram - The reference audiogram which future audiograms are compared Provided within 6 months when exposed to 85 dB OSHA Hearing Conservation Program Annual Audiogram Performed annually to identify deterioration of hearing ability 29. Audiogram Follow Up: Must fit or refit any employee with a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) adequate hearing protection Show employees how to use hearing protection Require employees to wear hearing protection Must notify employees within 21 days of STS OSHA Hearing Conservation Program 30. When is an employer required to provide hearing protection? When workers are exposed to 8-hour TWA noise levels of 85 dB or above OSHA Hearing Conservation Program Employees must wear hearing protection: For at least six months after initial exposure until their baseline audiogram If they have incurred standard threshold shifts that demonstrate they are susceptible to noise; and If exposed over the PEL of 90 dB over an 8-hour TWA 31. OSHA Hearing Conservation Program What training is required? Employers must train employees exposed to TWAs of 85 dB and above at least annually Training includes: The effects of noise The purpose, advantages, and disadvantages of various hearing protection The selection and fit of hearing protection Purpose and procedures of audiometric testing 32. What exposure and testing records must be kept? Noise exposure measurement records 2 years Employee audiometric tests Until employee termination Record work-related hearing loss cases OSHA Hearing Conservation Program 33. PPE Hazard Assessment 34. Needs to be filled out for each department Needs to be filed onsite PPE supplied at no cost to employee PPE Hazard Assessment 35. iPods in the Shop No OSHA regulation about headphones Use phone to record initial noise levels Apps to Measure Noise: dB Volume Meter Too Loud? DeciBel 36. Benefits of Hearing Protection Stay healthy For family To keep working Prevent fellow employee injuries Lower insurance premiums 37. Q & A Session Questions?