Hearing Loss Prevention Program
Hearing Loss Prevention Program are vitally important because they are the key to preventing noise-induced injuries and total loss of hearing.
MaintainX
10/06/2022
Hearing Loss Prevention Program
Hearing Loss Prevention Program are vitally important because they are the key to preventing noise-induced injuries and total loss of hearing.
Introduction
This sample Hearing Loss Prevention Program contains the basic framework of an “effective” program required by the WISHA regulations on noise and hearing conservation. While a written hearing conservation is not required by the WISHA regulations, this sample program will help you meet the requirements of an “effective” Hearing Loss Prevention Program because it will spell out how you are protecting your employees from the effects of excessive noise exposure.
However it will not be effective unless it includes specific information and policies from your plant or workplace. Further, to be “continuing effective” as required in the regulation, you will need to actually implement and periodically update this program. WISHA inspectors will not likely consider the program effective if there is no evidence from observation and employee interviews that the activities and policies spelled out in a written program are actually done.
The specific information that you will need to add to this sample program to make it complete include the following:
Purpose
This Hearing Loss Prevention Program is designed to protect employees from the effects of exposure to excessive noise at (add company name here) and comply with the WISHA Hearing Loss Prevention Rule (Noise) WAC 296-817.
Noise Areas and Measurements
(Add additional boxes as needed)
Area, equipment or job duties (specify)
Noise level in decibels (specify)
(Date of noise measurements)
Noise level measurements were taken with (Enter type of instrument here) or by (private noise consultant or L&I consultant).
Hearing Protection Used at (Enter your Company Name)
The following hearing protection is provided to employees at (Add your company name) (list at least two kinds). Employees will be allowed to select their choice of hearing protection in the size that fits them correctly.
Brand name of hearing protection
Sizes available (where applicable)
Hearing protection is available from the following person(s) or at the following locations:
Hearing protection is required in the following locations, job duties or when the following equipment is used:
Audiometric Testing at (Add your company name)
Audiometric testing will be provided at no cost to all employees whose noise exposure is equals or exceeds an 8 hour average of 85 decibels who have the following positions or work at the following locations:
Optional: (some employers decide or find it easier to cover all employees who might be overexposed to high noise sometime during their employment) In addition, audiometric testing will also be provided to all employees working in the following areas or in the following job classifications:
Audiometric testing will be provided upon first assignment to a high noise area or within 180 days of assignment. These initial test results are the baseline results. Annual testing following these initial tests will be compared to the baseline test results for all employees who continue to work in high noise areas. [person name or position] will schedule audiometric testing for employees
For baseline tests, employees will be instructed to avoid unprotected exposure to high noise levels at least 14 hours before testing is done.
If a standard threshold shift (a drop in hearing ability of at least 10 decibels in three frequencies – 2000, 3000 or 4000 hertz) is found, the employee may be retested within 30 days. (note: retesting is optional)
Employees will be provided with results of their individual audiometric exams. If a standard threshold shift is found, employees will be notified in writing within 21 days of determination.
If a standard threshold shift if found in any employees, the following will also be done:
Audiometric testing will be conducted by a licensed or certified audiologist, ear, nose & throat physician (otolaryngologist) or audiology technician certified by the Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC).
Audiometric testing is conducted by (Enter name of vendor or clinic).
Training
Training will be provided to all employees exposed to noise above an 8-hour average of 85 decibels. Training will cover the following topics:
Our training program is described as follows:
Access to Records
Noise measurement records can be viewed at the following location(s) or obtained from the following person(s):
Personal audiometric exam results will be given or mailed directly to individual employees tested.
Source: MaintainX (Community Member)