• Employee complaints about the loudness of noise,
• Indications that employees are losing their hearing,
• Noisy conditions which make normal conversation difficult;
• Specific machines that emit noise.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a safe level of noise exposure to be 90 decibels for an eight-hour period. Allowable exposure levels for shorter periods of time are as follows:

• 90 dB for 8 hours 
• 92 dB for 6 hours              
• 95 dB for 4 hours               
• 97 dB for 3 hours              
  
• 100 dB for 2 hours
• 102 dB for 90 minutes
• 105 dB for 60 minutes
• 110 dB for 30 minutes
• 115 dB for 15 minutes or less

AUDIOMETRY

Employees exposed to 85 dB or greater during an 8-hour time-weighted average shall be included in an annual audiometry program with no cost to employees. 

The purpose of the program is to monitor employee hearing and to look for signs of hearing loss. Within 6 months of employment in an area with a noise level of 85 dB or greater, the employee shall receive a baseline audiogram performed by or under the supervision of a certified audiologist otolaryngologist, or other physicians, or by a technician who is certified by the Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation. 

Testing to establish a baseline audiogram shall be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. Hearing protectors may be used to provide this requirement. Audiograms shall be performed at least annually basis thereafter.

EVALUATION OF AUDIOMETRIC RESULTS FOR HEARING LOSS

Test results shall be reviewed by audiology staff for the presence of a standard threshold shift (an indication of hearing loss). 

An employee shall be informed of such findings in writing within 21 days of the test evaluation. Audiology staff shall discuss the results with the employee and if deemed appropriate by the audiologist, the employee may be referred for further medical attention. Upon evidence of a threshold shift, the employee shall be fitted or re-fitted for hearing protection devices and trained/re-trained in their use. 

The employee's supervisor must assure that protective equipment is used properly and when needed.

Any employee exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels must receive hearing conservation training that covers;

• The effects of noise,
• The purpose of personal protective equipment,
• advantages,
• disadvantages,
• attenuation of various types,
• instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care.
• The purpose of audiometric testing and explanation of the test procedures.

Training shall be repeated on an annual basis. If you have not received your annual training, please contact your supervisor immediately.