hearing

13 Hearing Conservation Manual D. Hearing Protection The goal of the program is to protect employees from noise exposures that may cause hearing impairment. This is accomplished through employee orientation on: • noise hazard areas and operations • availability and location of hearing protection devices • presence of any warning signs or labels indicating the need to wear hearing protection • location where hearing protection devices can be cleaned, if applicable Supervisors will provide this orientation, will make hearing protection devices (HPD) accessible to employees, and ensure that HPD are used as required. In addition, noise hazard areas and equipment will be posted or affixed with “Hearing Protection Required” signs or labels. Hearing Protection Devices Hearing protection devices are designed to insulate the human ear from noise hazards. They come in two primary forms: muffs and plugs. Acoustic muffs cover the ear with an insulated cup held in place by a band or suspension. Ear plugs are inserted into the ear canal to block noise from the inner ear. HPD are required when working with loud equipment or in noise hazard areas at or above 90 dBA TWA and are recommended when exposed to >85 dBA. HPD must attenuate or reduce an employee’s noise exposure to <90 dBA TWA. For employees with an STS, noise attenuation with an HPD must be <85 dBA TWA. Appropriate hearing protection must be provided to employees free of charge and made available when workplace exposure are at or > 85 dBA TWA. A wide range of types and styles of acceptable HPD are available at Central Stores in the General Services Building or through safety equipment suppliers. Contact Occ Med or EH&S for assistance with selection. Warning Signs Noise hazard areas > 90 dBA must be identified with area signage or equipment labels. Appropriate area warning signs and equipment stickers are available through EH&S. Any modification in wording must be approved by EH&S.