RECORDKEEPING and HC PROGRAM EVALUATION HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM 28 Jan 2013.
Hearing Conservation Program
description
Transcript of Hearing Conservation Program
Hearing Conservation Program
NRCCSINGAPORE
30 June 2006
References
29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure
OPNAVINST 5100.23G, NAVOSH Program Manual, Chapter 18
Hearing ConservationHearing Conservation Hearing loss has always been and
continues to be the most common occupational disease.
It is insidious, occasionally self-induced to receive compensation.
Painless (tinitis is the exceptional but more psycological)
Noise Exposure
Determined by:Duration of exposureType of noise
• Continuous
• Impulse
IntensityFrequency
Causes of Hearing Loss
Age Disease (Middle or Inner Ear) Trauma Drugs (the “…mycins, tetracycline) Noise exposure
How Hearing Loss Occurs
Damage to the Ear Outer ear--
Catches dirt and particles in the canal that contains cerumen or wax
Middle ear--Has bones (malleus, incus, stapes) and ear drum which
can rupture from sudden high sound pressure levels
Inner ear--Has cochlea with tiny hair cells connected to nerves.
Damage is irreversible Cochlea
Middle ear
Measuring Sound
Terminology
FrequencyMeasured in hertz (Hz) or cycles per secondDetermines how high or low the pitch sounds
IntensityMeasured in decibels (dB)Determines how “loud” a noise soundsLogarithmic scaleExchange (doubling) rate (5 for Navy)
Hearing Conservation Program
Program Objective The objective of the Hearing
Conservation Program is to prevent hearing loss as a result of exposure to hazardous noise.
How would YOU like to own this?
Program Elements Identifying noise hazardous areas Engineering controls to reduce the hazard Posting of noise hazardous areas Providing hearing protection to personnel Medical monitoring (audiograms) Education and training
Identifying Noise Hazardous Areas
Limits for continuous noise exposureDOD = 85 dBAOSHA = 90 dBAImpact (Impulse) noise limit = 140 dB
84 dBA or less--OK for personnel 8 hours a day, five days a week with no ill effects.
Above 84 dBA--Navy considers noise hazardous
Identifying Noise Hazardous Areas
Sound level surveys conducted to determine which spaces routinely haveContinuous noise >84 dBAImpact noise >140 dBReadings reviewed as part of IH survey
Engineering Controls Noise can be decreased by changes in design
or imposing controlsDamping material or sound curtains around
equipmentAcoustical tiles for classroomsRubber insulating pads at metal-to-metal interfaceMoving noise equipment to isolated location
Engineering controls must be considered FIRST, prior to resorting to PPE
Posting Noise Hazard Signs Used when engineering controls do not work,
or are not feasible Use Noise Hazard Warning Labels to mark
hazardsLarge warning decals for entire areas (NAVMED 6260/2)
Small warning labels (green or orange) for individual equipment (NAVMED 6260/2A)
Post areas as DOUBLE Hearing Protection Required if sound levels >104 dBA
Personal Protection
Used as last resort--when exposures cannot be controlled by any other means
Ear plugs and muffsMechanically block noise from earRated for specific Noise Reduction Rating
(NRR)--reduce decibel levels reaching the ear by the number listed on the package
Actual NRR likely less than advertised NRR
Personal Protection Ear plugs
Fit into ear canalFitted/Flanged types issued by MedicalDisposable foam plugs don’t require fitting--also have
highest NRR (about 30dB)
Ear muffsFit over outer earHave NRR of 24-28 dBEar caps--like plugs with a head band--NRR of about
22 dB
Personal Protection
Single protectionPlugs or muffs
Required when continuous sound levels >84dB continuous or 140 and above
Required when exposed to noise from gunfire, artillery or missile firing
Personal Protection
Double protectionRequired when continuous sound levels
>104dBAUse combination of ear plugs and ear muffs
Must be kept clean and in good conditionDirty plugs may cause infectionsMuffs with hardened seals DO NOT protect
Medical Monitoring Baseline and routine testing required for all
personnel routinely working in noise hazardous areas
Maintain roster of personnel routinely working in noise hazardous areas
All Navy and Marine Corps personnel given baseline audiogram (DD 2215) when entering the service
Annual audiograms (DD2216) given to personnel assigned work in noise hazardous areas
Significant Threshold Shift (STS)
A change of 15 dB or more at 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hz in either ear
OR…
An average change of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hz in either ear
Disposition Following Monitoring Hearing Tests
If patient has a STS: follow-up hearing test after 14 hours noise free
If STS still present, conductive hearing loss may be ruled out by tympanometry and otoscopy by MDR
Second follow-up audiogram may be on same day
May refer to audiologist at any point
Disposition Following Monitoring Hearing Tests
If second follow-up still shows STS, must refer to audiologist
Termination audiograms given to personnel when leaving the service
Questions ???