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Hearing
Conservation
Program

Review and Approval Page Omitted

Program Requirements
     Monitoring
     Medical Surveillance/Audiometric Testing
     Hearing Protection
     Training
     Recordkeeping

Signage

Emergency and Assistance Telephone Numbers


Fire - Police - Rescue - Emergency Medical Service - 9-1-1
    Call Immediately for Any Emergency Including Confined
    Space Incident, Chemical Spill, Fire, Injured, Trapped  or
    Sick Person

Dept. of Environmental Safety (Main Office)       (301) 405-3960
    (Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety & Health, Environmental
    Affairs, Fire Safety, Radiation Safety, Insurance Services,
    Accident Investigation, and Safety Education)

University Health Center - Occupational Health    (301) 314-8172
    (Medical Consultation and Evaluation)

Hearing and Speech Clinic                         (301) 405-4218

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Policy Statement

I. Purpose

This is a statement of official University policy to establish the process for compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation,"Occupational Noise Exposure Standard" (29 CFR 1910.95).

II. Policy

It is the policy of the University of Maryland (UM) to provide employees with a safe and healthful working environment. This is optimally accomplished by incorporating feasible safeguards into facilities and equipment designs. When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or when they are being initiated, administrative controls and/or personal protective equipment will be utilized to prevent employee exposure to noise over regulated or recommended levels.

UM adopts the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) noise exposure limits referred to as Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). The UM Hearing Conservation Program shall be implemented for all UM employees whose noise exposures meet or exceed the ACGIH criteria.

The UM Hearing Conservation Program shall be reviewed and evaluated for its effectiveness at least annually, and updated as necessary.

III. Responsibilities

Department of Environmental Safety - Industrial Hygiene Unit (DES - IHU) shall:

(1) Develop, implement and administer the UM Hearing Conservation Program,

(2) Provide the technical expertise and equipment necessary to identify work areas and equipment within UM facilities where noise levels equal or exceed 85 dBA,

(3) Provide the technical expertise and equipment necessary to identify, through personnel monitoring, UM employees whose noise exposure levels equal or exceed an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 85 dBA,

(4) Periodically re-monitor identified at-risk employees,

(5) Resurvey work areas and equipment when notified that noise levels may have changed due to facility or equipment modifications,

(6) Identify potential high noise areas or equipment during routine building activities and measure sound levels to determine need for additional monitoring or protective equipment,

(7) Determine appropriate type(s) of hearing-protective devices necessary to protect employees' hearing,

(8) Train employees on mandatory elements of the UM Hearing Conservation Program,

(9) Provide recommendations concerning noise control measures including engineering controls and administrative controls,

(10) Install signs on doors to areas containing equipment consistently generating noise levels in excess of 85 dBA, and

(11) Maintain records of noise measurements and employee training.

Supervisors shall:

(1) Identify to DES - IHU, equipment and locations where high noise levels are suspected,

(2) Identify to DES - IHU all employees who are suspected to have high noise exposures,

(3) Ensure all employees with documented high noise exposures enroll in the medical surveillance program for noise,

(4) Schedule employees subject to the requirements of the UM Hearing Conservation Program for audiometric testing with the Speech and Hearing Clinic,

(5) Ensure affected employee participation in annual hearing conservation training,

(6) Monitor and enforce the use of hearing protective devices when required,

(7) Implement administrative controls and enforce the use of appropriate engineering controls when applicable, and

(8) Contact DES - IHU when new procedures are implemented or new equipment is utilized that may affect an employee's noise exposure.
Departments with Employees Exposed to TWA Noise Exposures at or Over 85 dBA shall:

(1) Provide facilities and engineering controls where feasible to reduce employee TWA noise exposure below 85 dBA.
Facilities Management - Architecture, Engineering & Construction shall:

(1) Evaluate construction plans for installation of equipment capable of generating high noise levels, and

(2) Notify DES - IHU of new facilities containing equipment suspected of producing high noise levels.
Employees Exposed to TWA Noise Exposures at or Over 85 dBA shall:

(1) Wear and maintain hearing protective devices as instructed,

(2) Participate in annual training,

(3) Participate in annual audiometric testing,

(4) Use only those brands/types of hearing protection devices which are appropriate for the noise exposure, and for which the employees have been trained and fitted, and

(5) Report to their supervisor any changing conditions that may impact employee noise exposures.
Employees with Periodic Exposure to High Noise and Whose TWA Noise Levels are Below 85 dBA shall:

(1) Wear and maintain hearing protective devices as instructed,

(2) Participate in initial training, and

(3) Report to their supervisor any changing conditions that may impact personal noise exposures.
Speech and Hearing Clinic shall:

(1) Provide an audiometric testing program for affected employees that meets the requirements specified by OSHA,

(2) Provide information to employees, as requested, concerning the methods and requirements for audiometric testing, and

(3) Report results of audiometric testing to the University Health Center.
The University Health Center - Occupational Health Unit shall:

(1) Interpret results of audiometric testing,

(2) Report results of audiometric testing to employees,

(3) Report hearing deficiencies (standard threshold shifts) to supervisors, DES - IHU and the employee for follow-up testing, examinations and/or recommendations as appropriate,

(4) Notify supervisors of affected employees that they must schedule audiometric testing with the Speech and Hearing Clinic,

(5) Maintain all employee medical records pertaining to the UM Hearing Conservation Program,

(6) Provide information to employees, as requested, concerning the effects of noise on hearing and interpretation of audiometric testing, and

(7) Coordinate evaluation of employees reporting discomfort associated with their use of hearing protection.

IV. Information

Assistance will be provided by the Department of Environmental Safety (DES) to any Department requesting guidance or training to satisfy implementation of this policy.

Departments or units with employees whose TWA noise exposures do not meet or exceed 85 dBA may request hearing conservation services if desired. Such services may include training from DES, audiometric testing through the Speech and Hearing Clinic and audiometry interpretation from the University Health Center.

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Program Requirements

Evidence is well established that worker exposure to noise of sufficient intensity and duration can result in permanent hearing damage. Noise-induced hearing loss rarely results from a single exposure; it can progress unnoticed over a period of years. Early noise-induced hearing loss occurs at the higher frequencies where the consonant portion of speech occurs, making communication difficult.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to:

Monitor facilities and employees to determine noise overexposure situations,
Develop and implement a written Hearing Conservation Program that identifies the methods used to comply with regulatory requirements,
Implement an audiometric testing program for employees with high noise exposures to determine if exposure impacts hearing ability,
Provide appropriate hearing protection to employees with high noise exposures if other methods of noise control are not feasible or during installation of such controls,
Provide annual training for employees with high noise exposures, and
Maintain medical and monitoring records pertaining to the Hearing Conservation Program.

To meet these requirements, the University of Maryland has established this Hearing Conservation Program. Program elements are described below.

Monitoring

In order to effectively control exposure to high levels of noise it is necessary that the noise be accurately measured according to standard procedures, and that the measurements be properly evaluated against accepted criteria.

The monitoring of employees for noise exposure is made up of two parts, area and personal monitoring. Area measurements are generally obtained first. If noise levels approach or are above prescribed levels, personal monitoring using dosimeters is then performed.

Area Measurements:

In an area survey, measurements of noise levels are documented using a soundlevel meter to identify work areas where employees' exposures may be above hazardous levels requiring more thorough exposure monitoring. Area monitoring is conducted using a calibrated sound level meter set to the A scale, slow response. Within the area of interest, several different locations are typically measured. Measurement locations might include:

In the hearing zone at the employee's normal work location
Next to the noise source(s)
At the entrance(s) to the work area
At other locations within the area where the employee might work

If noise levels are below 80 dBA in the area, no further routine monitoring will be required for that area. Should any of the noise measurements equal or exceed 85 dBA, records shall be maintained as to the noise levels recorded, where they were taken, and the source(s) of the noise. These records shall be updated periodically to determine if any changes have occurred that would warrant re-monitoring of exposed personnel. If any of the measurements approach or exceed a noise level of 85 dBA, employees who work in or near the high noise area or equipment shall have their noise exposure determined through personnel monitoring using dosimeters.

Personal Monitoring:

Determination of personal noise exposures will be accomplished using calibrated noise dosimeters. Employees monitored will have dosimeters placed on them at the beginning of their normal work shift with the microphone attached in the "hearing zone". The dosimeter will be worn for the full duration of the work shift while the employee performs a normal work routine. At the end of the work shift, the dosimeter will be removed and information analyzed as soon as possible. Background information will be collected from each employee detailing job description, unusual job activities, etc., for the sample period. Those employees whose noise exposures equal or exceed 85 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) will be identified to supervisors for enrollment into the Hearing Conservation Medical Surveillance Program.

Re-monitoring of Hazardous Noise Areas:

All areas where noise levels approach or exceed 85 dBA shall be re-monitored periodically. Representative employees who work in high noise areas and whose 8-hour TWA approaches or exceeds 85 dBA will be monitored periodically to determine personal noise exposure for all similar employees.

Whenever an employee exhibits a standard threshold shift, as determined by the University Health Center - Occupational Health Unit (UHC - OHU), re-monitoring will be conducted to attempt identification and correction of the cause.

Re-monitoring Due to Changes:

Any area with noise levels that approach or exceed 85 dBA shall also be re-monitored whenever a change in production process, equipment, or controls increases the noise exposure such that additional employees are exposed to noise levels at or above 85 dBA on a time-weighted average basis. Areas where the noise levels have dropped below 80 dBA due to alterations in equipment, controls or process changes shall be eliminated from the monitoring program.

Department of Environmental Safety - Industrial Hygiene Unit (DES - IHU) shall provide copies of personal exposure monitoring results to all monitored employees and to the UHC-OHU. Supervisors will be provided a report that summarizes monitoring in areas under their control. DES - IHU shall permit affected employees or their representatives an opportunity to observe any noise measurements conducted.

Medical Surveillance/Audiometric Testing

Upon identification of employees whose 8-hour TWA equals or exceeds 85 dBA, the supervisor shall contact UHC-OHU to enroll these employees in the UM Hearing Conservation Medical Surveillance Program. Information supplied to the UHC-OHU will include the employee's name, supervisor's name, work telephone number(s) and the noise levels recorded in the employee's work area. Copies of dosimetry data will be forwarded to the UHC-OHU by DES - IHU. It is the responsibility of supervisors to enroll their employees in the UM Hearing Conservation Medical Surveillance Program.

Affected departments are responsible for costs associated with the UM Hearing Conservation Medical Surveillance Program. A fee will be charged for audiometric testing and interpretation of the results. A fee will also be charged to departments for employees who fail to attend scheduled audiometric testing and who fail to provide at least 24 hours notice to the Speech and Hearing Clinic.

In work locations where either through administrative or engineering controls, noise levels decrease such that the employees' 8-hour TWAs are below 85 dBA, DES - IHU shall notify the UHC-OHU and the employees' Supervisors, by memo, that the employees working in that area are no longer required to be enrolled in the UM Hearing Conservation Program.

The UHC-OHU will contact supervisors when audiometric testing is due. The supervisor is responsible for scheduling employee audiometric testing with the Speech and Hearing Clinic. Employees with exposure to TWA noise levels of 85 dBA or greater must have baseline audiometric testing performed within 6 months of initial noise exposure. Thereafter, audiometric testing must be performed at least annually until separation from employment or upon transfer to duties with noise exposures below 85 dBA.

The Speech and Hearing Clinic has the responsibility for administering the Audiometric Testing Program portion of the UM Hearing Conservation Program. The object of the audiometric testing program is to identify workers beginning to experience hearing loss to allow intervention before the hearing loss progresses. Audiometric testing will be provided to all employees with exposure to TWA noise levels of 85 dBA or greater. Annual retesting will be performed for all personnel enrolled in the UM Hearing Conservation Medical Surveillance Program.

Audiometric testing not only monitors the sharpness or acuity of an employee's hearing over time, but also provides an opportunity for employers to educate employees about their hearing and the need to protect it. The important elements of the audiometric testing program include baseline audiograms, annual audiograms, training, and follow-up procedures. Audiometric testing must be made available at no cost to employees exposed to TWA noise levels of 85 dBA or greater. Annual audiograms must be conducted within 1 year of the baseline. Annual audiograms must be routinely compared to baseline audiograms to determine if the employee has lost hearing ability (i.e., if a standard threshold shift (STS) has occurred). STS is defined as an average hearing loss in either ear of 10 dB or more at frequencies of 2000, 3000, and 4000 hertz.

If the annual audiogram shows that an employee has experienced a standard threshold shift (STS), the UHC-OHU will arrange for the employee to retest within 30 days, and the results of the retest will be used as the annual audiogram. If a STS is indicated, the employee shall be informed of this fact in writing within 21 days of the determination. If a UHC-OHU physician determines the STS may be work-related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the employee will be referred for a follow-up clinical audiological evaluation. The employee's supervisor will also be notified of the STS and shall ensure that the employee has appropriate hearing protection, is trained in their use and care, and required to use them. Employees already using hearing protection shall be refitted (if necessary) and retrained in the use of hearing protection and provided hearing protection offering greater attenuation if necessary.

Hearing Protection

The University of Maryland shall make hearing protection available at no cost to all employees who are exposed to TWA noise levels of 85 dBA or greater. Hearing protection will also be provided to employees with routine periodic noise exposures over 85 dBA.

Hearing protection shall be replaced as necessary. Employees shall be given an opportunity to select their hearing protection from a variety of suitable devices. DES - IHU shall provide training in the use and care of all hearing protection devices provided to employees. The supervisor shall monitor the correct use of all hearing protection. DES shall determine hearing protection attenuation necessary for the specific noise environments in which the hearing protection will be used. Hearing protection must attenuate (lower) employee exposure at the ear to no more than a TWA noise level of 85 dBA. The adequacy of hearing protection shall be reevaluated whenever employee noise exposures increase to the extent that the hearing protection may no longer provide adequate attenuation.

Employees whose 8-hour TWA noise exposures do not meet or exceed 85 dBA will be provided hearing protection if their duties require entry into noise hazard areas with sound levels measured over 85 dBA. Noise hazard areas that are not designed for extended work operations (e.g., mechanical rooms) will be placarded with signage

advising entrants of the maximum noise levels measured in these spaces. Entrants are strongly encouraged to utilize hearing protection when entering these spaces.

Any personnel experiencing difficulty in wearing assigned hearing protection (i.e., irritation of the canals, pain) will be advised during training to immediately report this to their supervisor to schedule an appointment with the UHC-OHU for evaluation as soon as possible.

Training

When workers understand the reasons for the UM Hearing Conservation Program requirements and the need to protect their hearing, they will be better motivated to participate actively in the program and to cooperate by wearing their hearing protection and taking audiometric tests. DES - IHU will annually train employees exposed to 8-hour TWA noise exposures of 85 dB and above concerning:

The UM Hearing Conservation Program,
The effects of noise,
The purpose, advantages, and disadvantages of various types of hearing protection,
The selection, fit and care of hearing protection,
The purpose and procedures of audiometric testing, and
Noise hazard areas.

Training will be documented on forms provided by DES - IHU at the time of training.

Workers who have exposures to noise at or above 85 dBA, but whose 8-hour TWAs do not meet or exceed this limit will be provided initial training concerning:

The UM Hearing Conservation Program,
The appropriate use of hearing protection,
The effects of noise exposure, and
Noise hazard areas.

This training may be provided by DES - IHU or supervisory personnel knowledgeable of the requirements of the UM Hearing Conservation Program.

Recordkeeping

Noise exposure measurement records must be kept for 2 years. Audiometric test records must include the name and job classification of the employee, the date, the examiner's name, the date of the last acoustic or exhaustive calibration, measurements of the background sound pressure levels in audiometric test rooms, and the employee's most recent noise exposure measurement.

DES - IHU shall maintain an accurate record of all employee exposure measurements. The University Health Center - Occupational Health Unit and the Hearing and Speech Clinic shall retain all employee audiometric testing records for the duration of employment. Employee records shall be provided upon request by the employee or designated representative.

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Signage

Signs are to be posted at access points to noise hazard areas to inform employees of the need or recommendation for use of hearing protection. Two types of signage will be utilized:

Locations where dosimetry measurements indicate employee 8-hour TWA noise exposures meet or exceed 85 dBA will be posted with signage with dimensions of at least 10" X 14" identifying the space as a noise hazard designating the use of appropriate hearing protection. Signs should textually or graphically include:

Warning

Noise Area

Hearing Hazard

Use of Hearing Protectors Required

Locations that are infrequently occupied where operating mechanical equipment produces noise levels at or over 85 dBA (e.g., mechanical rooms) will be posted with the following 6" X 4" sign:

Employees entering these spaces are encouraged to utilize hearing protection.