Hearing ConservationHearing Conservation

Personnel DepartmentOccupational Safety and Health Division

Introduction Introduction

Cal/OSHA regulations require employers toestablish an effective Hearing ConservationProgram to protect employees against noiseinduced hearing loss.

Program AdministratorProgram Administrator

Each Department/Bureau/Division needs to designate a program administrator to coordinate all aspects of the program and audit the effectiveness of the program

Program ComponentsProgram Components

A. Noise Exposure MonitoringB. Engineering and Administrative ControlC. Audiometric EvaluationD. Hearing Protection DevicesE. Training and MotivationF. Record KeepingG. Program Audit

Ear AnatomyEar Anatomy

Noise MeasurementsNoise Measurements

Sound Intensity level Reference 10-12 Watts/m2Sound power level Reference 10-12 Watts/m2Sound Pressure level Reference 2x10-5 N/ m2

VelocityAir 1130 /sec. Water 4700 ft./secWood 13000 ft./sec Steel 16500 ft./sec

Noise MeasurementsNoise Measurements

Hearing range

decibel Scale, decibel

Sound pressure level in dB

Sound level Intensity Level in dB

A.A. Noise Exposure MonitoringNoise Exposure Monitoring

Noise Types:ContinuousIntermittentImpulse

Sampling Types:Area MonitoringPersonal Sampling

Combining Decibel Levels of Noises with Random Frequency Characteristic 

Numerical Difference between two noise levels [dB(A)]

Amount to be added to the two noise levels [dB or dB(A)]

0 – 0.1 3

0.2 – 0.3 2.9

0.4 – 0.5 2.8

0.6 – 0.7 2.7

0.8 – 0.9 2.6

B.B. Engineering and Engineering and Administrative ControlsAdministrative Controls

Engineering and/or administrative controlsmust utilized first.

C.C. Audiometric EvaluationAudiometric Evaluation

Audiometric (hearing) testing should beavailable to all employees whose exposuresare known to equal or exceed the “ActionLevel”.

D.D. Hearing Protection DevicesHearing Protection Devices

Departments shall make hearing protectorsavailable to all employees exposed to an 8hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels

orgreater at no cost to the employees.

E.E. Training and MotivationTraining and Motivation

Participating departments shall institute atraining program for all employees exposedat or above the “Action Level” and shallensure employee participation in suchprogram.

F.F. Record KeepingRecord Keeping

Each element of the Hearing ConservationProgram generates its own type of record.

G.G. Program AuditProgram Audit

A thorough audit of all the HearingConservation Program’s components isnecessary to determine the extent to whichthe program is really working.

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Program Administrator Responsibilities

Medical Service Responsibilities

Employee responsibilities

SummarySummary

Noise is all around us and increasing in many aspects of our lives. Noise or unwanted sound is one of the most pervasive occupational health problems.

All the City departments with employees who fall within the scope of the City’s Hearing Conservation Program shall comply with the applicable components of the City Hearing Conservation Program.

Program Components. Responsibilities.