Write a toolbox talk on Occupational Noise Exposure

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(2) ## OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE / AUDIOMETRIC TESTING IN OREGON <!-- image --> - (i) All continuous, intermittent and impulsive sound levels from 80 decibels to 130 decibels shall be integrated into the noise measurements. - (ii) Instruments used to measure employee noise exposure shall be calibrated to ensure measurement accuracy. - (3) Monitoring shall be repeated whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls increases noise exposures to the extent that: - (i) Additional employees may be exposed at or above the action level; or - (ii) The attenuation provided by hearing protectors being used by employees may be rendered inadequate to meet the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section. - (e) Employee notification. The employer shall notify each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels of the results of the monitoring. - (f) Observation of monitoring. The employer shall provide affected employees or their representatives with an opportunity to observe any noise measurements conducted pursuant to this section. ## (g) Audiometric testing program. - (1) The employer shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided in this paragraph by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. - (2) The program shall be provided at no cost to employees. NOTE: 1910.95(g)(3) was NOT adopted by OR-OSHA because in Oregon, only CAOHC-certified technicians, audiologists, otolaryngologist or physicians may perform audiometric examinations. In Oregon, OAR [redacted phone] applies: [redacted phone] Audiometric Testing in Oregon. Audiometric tests shall be performed by a licensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, or other physician, or by a technician who is certified by the Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation. A technician who performs audiometric tests must be responsible to an au…

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G ## OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - 1 When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure of different levels, their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each. If the sum of the following fractions: C1/T1+C2/T2 Cn/Tn exceeds unity, then, the mixed exposure should be considered to exceed the limit value. Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a specified noise level, and Tn indicates the total time of exposure permitted at that level. Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level. ## (c) Hearing conservation program. - (1) The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of 50 percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with Appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment. - (2) For purposes of paragraphs (c) through (n) of this section, an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or a dose of 50 percent shall also be referred to as the action level. ## (d) Monitoring. - (1) When information indicates that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer shall develop and implement a monitoring program. - (i) The sampling strategy shall be designed to identify employees for inclusion in the hearing conservation program and to enable the proper selection of hearing protectors. - (ii) Where circumstances such as high worker mobility, significant variations in sound level, or a significant component of impul…

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<!-- image --> NOTE: Appendix F was NOT adopted by OR-OSHA, because it pertains to presbycusis. In Oregon, no allowance is made for presbycusis (hearing loss due to aging) for purposes of this rule. However, you may use presbycusis for purposes of the OSHA 300 Log of Injuries and Illnesses. See Division 1 for more information. ## Appendix G to §1910.95 - Monitoring Noise Levels Non-Mandatory Informational Appendix This appendix provides information to help employers comply with the noise monitoring obligations that are part of the hearing conservation amendment. ## What is the purpose of noise monitoring? This revised amendment requires that employees be placed in a hearing conservation program if they are exposed to average noise levels of 85 dB or greater during an 8-hour workday. In order to determine if exposures are at or above this level, it may be necessary to measure or monitor the actual noise levels in the workplace and to estimate the noise exposure or 'dose' received by employees during the workday. ## When is it necessary to implement a noise monitoring program? It is not necessary for every employer to measure workplace noise. Noise monitoring or measuring must be conducted only when exposures are at or above 85 dB. Factors which suggest that noise exposures in the workplace may be at this level include employee complaints about the loudness of noise, indications that employees are losing their hearing, or noisy conditions which make normal conversation difficult. The employer should also consider any information available regarding noise emitted from specific machines. In addition, actual workplace noise measurements can suggest whether or not a monitoring program should be initiated. ## How is noise measured? Basically, there are two different instruments to measure noise exposures: the sound level meter and the dosimeter. A sound level meter is a device that measures the intensity of sound at a given moment. Since sound level meters p…

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<!-- image --> G ## OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division ## (k) Training program. - (1) The employer shall train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of this section. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program. - (2) The training program shall be repeated annually for each employee included in the hearing conservation program. Information provided in the training program shall be updated to be consistent with changes in protective equipment and work processes. - (3) The employer shall ensure that each employee is informed of the following: - (i) The effects of noise on hearing; - (ii) The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care; and - (iii) The purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures. - (l) Access to information and training materials. - (1) The employer shall make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of this standard and shall also post a copy in the workplace. - (2) The employer shall provide to affected employees any informational materials pertaining to the standard that are supplied to the employer by the Assistant Secretary. - (3) The employer shall provide, upon request, all materials related to the employer's training and education program pertaining to this standard to the Assistant Secretary and the Director. ## (m) Recordkeeping. - (1) Exposure measurements. The employer shall maintain an accurate record of all employee exposure measurements required by paragraph (d) of this section. ## (2) Audiometric tests. - (i) The employer shall retain all employee audiometric test records obtained pursuant to paragraph (g) of this section: - (ii) This record shall include: - (A…

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- e. When hearing protection is required, provided, but not used, and employee exposures exceed the limits of Table G-16, 29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(i) shall be cited and classified as serious (see (i), below), whether or not the employer has instituted a hearing conservation program. NOTE: Citations of 29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(ii)(b) shall also be classified as serious. - f. When hearing protection is required but not provided and employee exposures exceed the limits of Table G-16, 29 CFR 1910.95(a) shall be cited and classified as serious. - g. Where an employer has instituted a hearing conservation program and a violation of one or more elements is found, citations for the deficient elements of the noise standard shall be issued if exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA. - h. If an employer has not instituted a hearing conservation program and employee exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA, a citation for 29 CFR 1910.95(c) only shall be issued. - i. Violations of 29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(i) may be grouped with violations of 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1) and classified as serious when employees are exposed to noise levels above the limits of Table G-l6 and: - · Hearing protection is not utilized or is not adequate to prevent overexposures; - · There is evidence of hearing loss that could reasonably be considered: - o To be work-related, and - o To have been preventable, if the employer had been in compliance with the cited provisions. - NOTE: No citation shall be issued where, in the absence of feasible engineering or administrative controls, employees are exposed to elevated noise levels, but effective hearing protection is being provided and used, and the employer has implemented a hearing conservation program. ## 2. Drilling Industry - a. In the drilling industry, when hearing protection is required but not provided and employee exposures exceed the levels listed in Table 1 of UAC R614-2-3, UAC R614-2-3.I.1. or UAC R614-2-3.I.2. shall be cited, as appropria…

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<!-- image --> ## MONITORING NOISE LEVELS To estimate employee noise exposures with a sound level meter it is also generally necessary to take several measurements at different locations within the workplace. After appropriate sound level meter readings are obtained, people sometimes draw 'maps' of the sound levels within different areas of the workplace. By using a sound level 'map' and information on employee locations throughout the day, estimates of individual exposure levels can be developed. This measurement method is generally referred to as area noise monitoring. A dosimeter is like a sound level meter except that it stores sound level measurements and integrates these measurements over time, providing an average noise exposure reading for a given period of time, such as an 8-hour workday. With a dosimeter, a microphone is attached to the employee's clothing and the exposure measurement is simply read at the end of the desired time period. A reader may be used to read-out the dosimeter's measurements. Since the dosimeter is worn by the employee, it measures noise levels in those locations in which the employee travels. A sound level meter can also be positioned within the immediate vicinity of the exposed worker to obtain an individual exposure estimate. Such procedures are generally referred to as personal noise monitoring. Area monitoring can be used to estimate noise exposure when the noise levels are relatively constant and employees are not mobile. In workplaces where employees move about in different areas or where the noise intensity tends to fluctuate over time, noise exposure is generally more accurately estimated by the personal monitoring approach. In situations where personal monitoring is appropriate, proper positioning of the microphone is necessary to obtain accurate measurements. With a dosimeter, the microphone is generally located on the shoulder and remains in that position for the entire workday. With a sound level meter, the…