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HEARING CONSERVATION

HEARING CONSERVATION. Protecting Employees From Noise Hazards. DEFINITIONS. Sound pressure – Level of sound wave energy measured in decibels Sound – Pressure variations in the air that can be detected by the ear Noise – Sound that provides no information; unwanted sound

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HEARING CONSERVATION

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  1. HEARING CONSERVATION Protecting Employees From Noise Hazards

  2. DEFINITIONS • Sound pressure – Level of sound wave energy measured in decibels • Sound – Pressure variations in the air that can be detected by the ear • Noise – Sound that provides no information; unwanted sound • Attenuation - Process of reducing sound to acceptable levels

  3. EFFECTS OF NOISE • Psychological - Can startle, annoy, and disrupt concentration, sleep, or relaxation • Interference with communication, resulting in interference with job performance and safety • Physiological - Noise induced hearing loss, aural pain, or even nausea

  4. SOUND MEASUREMENTS • Hertz (Hz)- Measurement of sound cycles per second • Decibel (dB) - Logarithmic scale for sound volume measurement • Normal hearing range for human ear is between 20 and 20,000 Hz

  5. SOUND MEASUREMENTS • Normal Hearing - 25 dBA At 500 To 2,000 Hz • Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) - An 8-Hour Exposure To 90 dBA • 5 dBA Doubling Rate - Each Increase In dBA By 5 Reduces The PEL By Half

  6. OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE LIMITS • 115 dBA Is Maximum Level Without Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • 140 dBA Is Maximum Impulse Or Impact Level • Monitoring Program Must Be Started If A Time-Weighted-Average Of 85 dBA Over An 8-Hour Period Is Exceeded

  7. CONSERVATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS • Measure And Monitor Noise Levels • Audiometric Testing Of Exposed Employees • Hearing Protection Through PPE Use And Engineering And Administrative Controls • Provide Employee Training • Written Program And Record Keeping

  8. HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES • Ear Plugs - Premolded Rubber • Ear Plugs - Foam Rubber • Ear Plugs - Custom Molded • Ear Muffs • Canal Caps

  9. FACTORS AFFECTING HEARING LOSS • Noise Intensity Or Sound Pressure • Frequency Or Pitch • Length Of Daily Exposure • Duration Of Exposure In Years • Individual Susceptibility • Other Factors (Disease, Genetics, Lifestyle, Age, Etc.)

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