Safety Training for Hearing Conservation in Construction Industry

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2. Safety Training for Hearing Conservationin the Construction Industry

3. Disclaimer/Usage Notes • Photos shown in this presentation may depict situations that are not in compliance with applicable OSHA/MSHA/FHWA requirements. • It is not the intent of the content developers to provide compliance-based training in this presentation, the intent is more to address hazard awareness in the construction and mining industry, and to recognize the overlapping hazards present in many workplaces. • It should NOT be assumed that the suggestions, comments, or recommendations contained herein constitute a thorough review of the applicable standards, nor should discussion of “issues” or “concerns” be construed as a prioritization of hazards or possible controls. Where opinions (“best practices”) have been expressed, it is important to remember that safety issues in general and jobsites specifically will require a great deal of site- or hazard-specificity – a “one size fits all” approach is not recommended, nor will it likely be very effective.

4. Disclaimer/Usage Notes (continued) • No representation is made as to the thoroughness of the presentation, nor to the exact methods of remediation to be taken. It is understood that site conditions vary constantly, and that the developers of this content cannot be held responsible for safety problems they did not address or could not anticipate, nor those which have been discussed herein or during physical presentation. It is the responsibility of the employer, its subcontractors, and its employees to comply with all pertinent rules and regulations in the jurisdiction in which they work. • It is assumed that individuals using this presentation or content to augment their training programs will be “qualified” to do so, and that said presenters will be otherwise prepared to answer questions, solve problems, and discuss issues with their audiences. • Areas of particular concern (or especially suited to discussion) have additional information provided in the “notes” section of slides throughout the program…as a presenter, you should be prepared to discuss all of the potential issues/concerns, or problems inherent in those photos particularly.

5. COURSE OBJECTIVES • Discuss Hearing Program Requirements. • Discuss The Types of Hearing Protection. • Discuss Hearing Protection Selection Criteria. • Discuss Hearing Protection Assessment Techniques. • Discuss Basic Skills in Hazard Recognition & Control. • Discuss OSHA’S Requirements for Hearing Protection. • Discuss Hearing Protection’s Role in Today’s Industry. • Discuss Industrial Hazards Requiring Hearing Protection.

6. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS 29CFR - SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS 1910 - INDUSTRIAL SAFETY 95 - OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE

7. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS CONTENTS OF 29 CFR 1910.95: • a. A-Weighted Sound Level Determination • b. Permissible Noise Exposures • c. Program Requirements • d. Monitoring Requirements • e. Employee Notification • f. Observation of Monitoring • g. Audiometric Testing Program • h. Audiometric Testing Requirements • i. Hearing Protectors • j. Hearing Protector Attenuation

8. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS (Continued) CONTENTS OF 29 CFR 1910.95: • k. Training Program • l. Access to Information and Training Materials • m. Recordkeeping • n. Appendices • A - Noise Exposure Computation • B - Estimating Hearing Protection Attenuation • C - Audiometric Measuring Instruments • D - Audiometric Test Rooms • E - Acoustical Calibration of Audiometers • F - Age Correction Calculations For Audiograms • G - Monitoring Noise Levels • H - Availability of Referenced Documents

9. GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ALL EMPLOYERS MUST: • Establish a Written Program • Conduct Audiometric Testing • Address Noise Exposure Standards • Conduct Regular Program Evaluations • Conduct Work Area Noise Surveillance • Conduct Hearing Conservation Training • Control Hazards Using Ear Protectors as a Last Resort • Ensure Proper Selection of Noise Exposure Equipment

10. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS THE EMPLOYER MUST PROVIDE TRAINING: • Training Must Establish Proficiency in use of Protectors. • Explain The Operation, Capabilities, and Limitations. • Training Must be Conducted Prior to Job Assignment. • Explain The Reason Hearing Protection is Needed. • Explain Why a Hearing Protector has been Selected. • Explain Proper Maintenance and Storage of Protectors. • Explain Inspection, and Proper Wear. • Explain The Nature, Extent and Effects of Noise Hazards. • Provide Explanation of Why Engineering Controls are not in Use.

11. RETRAINING REQUIREMENTS • REQUIRED WHEN THERE IS A: • Program Related Injury. • Change in Job Assignment. • New Hazards or Equipment. • New Hazard Control Methods. • Failure in the Safety Procedures. • Reason to Doubt Employee Proficiency.

12. HEARING CONSERVATION TRAINING IS IMPORTANT • Reduce injury and illness rates. • Acceptance of high-turnover jobs. • Workers feel better about their work. • Reduce workers’ compensation costs. • Elevate OSHA compliance to a higher level. A GOOD PROGRAM WILL HELP:

13. HEARING CONSERVATION TRAINING PREVENTION “It is estimated that in the United States, 97% of the money spent for medical care is directed toward treatment of an illness, injury or disability. Only 3% is spent on prevention.” Self-help Manual for your Back H. Duane Saunders, MSPT by Educational Opportunities

14. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION • DEDICATION • PERSONAL INTEREST • MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT IMPLEMENTATION OF A HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM REQUIRES: NOTE: UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT FROM THE WORK FORCE IS ESSENTIAL, WITHOUT IT THE PROGRAM WILL FAIL!

15. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION Continued • Establish responsibility. • Establish a corporate policy and develop rules. • Conduct a noise survey of the facility. • Determine appropriate noise control measures. • Eliminate noise hazards where possible. • Conduct employee training. • Provide protection where hazard elimination is not possible. • Perform inspections and maintenance. • Periodically audit the program. • Modify policies and rules as appropriate. DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE:

16. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION Continued • The initial goal should be to reduce or eliminate noise hazards by: 1. Elimination or substitution of noise producing sources. 2. Insulating equipment to lower noise levels. 3. Implementation of administrative controls. 4. Implementation of engineering controls. 5. Issuance of hearing protection equipment. 6. Providing training and procedures. DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE:

17. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Continued • RECOGNITION • EVALUATION • IMPLEMENTATION • CONTROL

18. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Continued ASSESSMENT OF NOISE HAZARDS: • Known jobs/areas having high noise sources. • Known jobs/areas requiring noise protection. • Jobs/areas having had recent operational changes. • Jobs/areas with new equipment or processes. • New jobs having little or no statistical injury data. • RECOGNITION

19. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Continued • RECOGNITION • EVALUATION • IMPLEMENTATION • CONTROL

20. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Continued • EVALUATION • Facility audit data. • Employee surveys. • Accident investigations. • Industrial Hygiene surveys. • Logs of employee complaints. • Organizational structure development. • Statistical evidence of known/potential hazards. • Injury and illness data of known/potential hazards.

21. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Continued • RECOGNITION • EVALUATION • IMPLEMENTATION • CONTROL

22. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Continued • IMPLEMENTATION • Written program. • Training program. • Employee involvement. • Supervisor involvement. • Corrective action program. • Job hazard analysis program. • Organizational structure establishment. • Safety in purchasing (new equipment, products ect.)

23. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Continued • RECOGNITION • EVALUATION • IMPLEMENTATION • CONTROL

24. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Continued • CONTROL • Periodic facility audits. • Written program reviews. • Industrial Hygiene surveys. • Employee feedback surveys. • Job hazard analysis reviews. • Recurrent training programs. • Supervisor feedback surveys. • Periodic statistical evaluations. • Corrective action follow-up measures.

25. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Continued • CONTROL MEASURES CONSIDERATIONS: • Capital improvement plan to eliminated hazards. • Costs involved in implementing control measures. • Length of time necessary for implementation. • Level of urgency in implementation. • Compatibility with existing controls. • Cost of hearing protection equipment. • Anticipated problems with employee use.

26. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Continued • PRIORITIZATION CONSIDERATIONS: • Severity of injuries as a result of hazards. • Consequences of an injury at the worksite. • Likelihood that the operation will have an injury. • The length of exposure to the hazard. • Long-term effects of noise exposure.

27. KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS 1. Noise Exposure Monitoring 2. Engineering and Administrative Controls 3. Audiometric Evaluation 4. Use of Hearing Protection Devices 5. Training and Motivation 6. Recordkeeping 7. Program Evaluation KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS INCLUDE:

28. KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued) • NOISE EXPOSURE MONITORING • Define Survey Goals • Characterize the Hazard Accurately - Area Surveys - Noise Dosimetry - Engineering Surveys • Ensure Results are Representative • Identify Affected Employees • Evaluate Specific Noise Sources • Prioritize Noise Control Efforts

29. KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued) • ENGINEERING AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS • Reducing Reverberation and Echo's • Reducing Structure-borne Vibrations • Initiate Physical Changes at the Noise Source • Modify or Replace of Equipment • Physical Changes in the Transmission Path • Examples Include: - Sound Absorbing Material - Mufflers on Noise Sources - Acoustical Enclosures and Barriers - Vibration Mounts and Proper Lubrication

30. KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued) • AUDIOMETRIC EVALUATION • Should be Performed: 1. Pre-employment 2. Prior to Initial Work Assignment 3. Annually if the Employee Stays in the Same Job 4. At Reassignment Out of a Noisy Job 5. At the Termination of Employment • Employees Who are Not Noise Exposed can be Tested to Provide a Comparison Group to Determine the Overall Effectiveness of the Program. The Two Groups should Show the Same Amount of Audiometric Change if the Program is Effective.

31. KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued) • AUDIOMETRIC EVALUATION (Continued) • Must be administered with calibrated equipment • Testing must have acceptable background sounds levels • The same type of audiometer should be used year to year • Only accredited technicians should be used • Standardized testing methods should be used • An Audiologist or Physician should supervise testing

32. KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued) • TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES • Ear Muffs (Circumaural) • Semi-Inserts (Semi-Aural) • Inserts (Aural) Each type has advantages and disadvantages

33. KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued) • TRAINING AND MOTIVATION • Employees “are” the program • Job-specific training is essential • Annual recurrent training recommended • Active employee participation is essential • Training is essential to employee motivation • Training needed for: - Managers - Supervisors - Affected employees - Maintenance personnel

34. KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued) • RECORDKEEPING • Purpose of the examination • Specific equipment used and calibration dates • Name of the tester • Date and time of the test • Auditory history information • The hearing threshold values obtained • Tester’s judgment of the subject’s response reliability • Record of any refitting, reissuing, or retraining • Tester’s comments, if any

35. KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued) • RETENTION OF RECORDS • Noise exposure measurement records - 25 years • Audiometric test records - Duration of employment

36. KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS(Continued) • PROGRAM EVALUATION • Two basic approaches - Evaluate the program’s components - Evaluate the audiometric data

37. PROGRAM REVIEW & EVALUATION • Noise surveys (area and personal) • Job hazard analysis assessments. • Employee surveys. • Review of results of facility evaluations. • Analysis of trends in injury/illness rates. • Up-to-date records of logs of noise hazard improvements tried or implemented. • Before and after surveys/evaluations of job/worksite noise protection changes. EVALUATION TECHNIQUES INCLUDE:

38. WRITTEN PROGRAM • WRITTEN PROGRAMS MUST BE: • DEVELOPED • IMPLEMENTED • CONTROLLED • JOB SPECIFIC • UNDERSTANDABLE • SUFFICIENTLY DETAILED • PERIODICALLY REVIEWED

39. THE SUPERVISOR’S ROLE • CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: • 1. GET INVOLVED IN THE HAZARD ASSESSMENTS. • 2. OBTAIN ASSISTANCE (IF NEEDED) FROM EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF CONCERN. • 3. COMPLETE THE PAPERWORK (WORK ORDERS, POLICY • CHANGES, ETC.) TO MAKE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS. • 4. ATTEND THE SAME TRAINING AS YOUR WORKERS. • 5. FOLLOW-UP ON THE ACTIONS YOU TOOK.

40. HEARING PROTECTION SITUATIONS • WORK INVOLVING: • Chain saws • Construction • Lawn mowing • Sand blasting • Jack hammers • Spray painting • Musical performances • Grinders, lathes, saws • Manufacturing operations • Exposure during maintenance duties

41. AUDITORY NERVE HAMMER ANVIL STIRRUP COCHLEA EUSTACHIAN TUBE EAR CANAL EAR DRUM PRINCIPLES OF HEARING OUTER EAR - MIDDLE EAR - INNER EAR

42. PRINCIPLES OF HEARING Continued • THE COCHLEA AND THE INNER EAR • A fluid filled sound reception chamber • Contains thousands of tiny hair cells • The cells respond to sound waves made in the fluid • The cells pass the sensation on to the auditory nerve

43. PRINCIPLES OF HEARING Continued • SENSORI-NEURAL HEARING LOSS • Noise-induced hearing loss • Damages the hair cells or auditory nerves • If the noise is stopped hair cells can bounce back • Damage can be temporary

44. PRINCIPLES OF HEARING Continued • SENSORI-NEURAL HEARING LOSS • If the noise continues hair cells can’t bounce back • Damage can be permanent!

45. PRINCIPLES OF HEARING Continued • NOISE MEASUREMENT • Decibel (dB) - A unit of measurement for sound pressure • 085 Decibels (dB) is max for the average workday • 140 Decibels (dB) is max for impulse or impact noise No exposures in excess of 140dB peak sound pressure level are permitted. Impulsive or impact noise is considered to be those variations in noise levels at intervals of greater than one per second. Where the intervals are less than one second, it should be considered continuous. Source: ACGIH

46. Intensity • Frequency PRINCIPLES OF HEARING Continued • NOISE MEASUREMENT (Continued) • Sound is measured in two ways: • 1. Frequency • 2. Intensity

47. PRINCIPLES OF HEARING Continued FREQUENCY: The pitch -- how high or low the sound is. Expressed in cycles per second (CPS). Most people can hear pitches between 20 CPS and 20,000 CPS.

48. PRINCIPLES OF HEARING Continued INTENSITY: The loudness of sound. Expressed in units called decibels (dB). the more dB’s, the louder the sound. One decibel in the smallest unit of sound a person can hear.

49. PRINCIPLES OF HEARING Continued NOISE REDUCTION RATING (NRR): A single number measure of the amount of attenuation of sound that a hearing protection device will reduce outside sound to. Expressed in units of decibels (dB). 85dB NRR 40dB 45dB

50. PRINCIPLES OF HEARING Continued THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE The TLV is the upper limit of noise as measured in decibels averaged over an eight hour work day to which an average healthy person may be repeatedly exposed on an all-day, everyday basis without suffering adverse hearing loss. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH).