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Hearing Conservation Program Overview

A hearing conservation program is required by mine operators to monitor miners' noise exposure, provide hearing protectors, conduct audiometric testing, provide training, and keep records in order to reduce occupational hearing loss. The program must include a system to monitor noise levels, provision and use of hearing protection when noise exposure limits are exceeded, annual audiometric testing, training on hearing protection and noise exposure, and record keeping. The goal of the program is to preserve miners' hearing through monitoring noise levels, educating miners, requiring protective equipment, and documenting hearing health over time.

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492 views11 pages

Hearing Conservation Program Overview

A hearing conservation program is required by mine operators to monitor miners' noise exposure, provide hearing protectors, conduct audiometric testing, provide training, and keep records in order to reduce occupational hearing loss. The program must include a system to monitor noise levels, provision and use of hearing protection when noise exposure limits are exceeded, annual audiometric testing, training on hearing protection and noise exposure, and record keeping. The goal of the program is to preserve miners' hearing through monitoring noise levels, educating miners, requiring protective equipment, and documenting hearing health over time.

Uploaded by

aryzal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

HEARING

CONSERVATION
PROGRAMS
Hearing Conservation Program
What is it?
A program provided by the mine operator to
reduce occupational hearing loss among mine
personnel

– Monitors the miner’s noise exposure via dosimeter or


Sound Level Meter (SLM)
– Provides hearing protectors for protecting the miner’s
hearing
– Monitors the sensitivity of the miner’s hearing via
audiometric testing
– Trains the miner to protect their hearing
Hearing Conservation Program
It MUST include:

 A system of monitoring

 Provision and use of hearing


protectors

 Audiometric testing

 Training

 Record keeping
What is a system of monitoring?
An evaluation of a miner’s
work environment

– A noise survey of
equipment and work
tasks
Dosimeter

– Measurement of a
miner’s noise dose
What is a system of monitoring?
An evaluation of a miner’s work environment

– Operator notifies the miner of…


 Exposure determination
– Provided the miner has not been notified in the last 12 months

 Action being taken if exposure…


– Equals or exceeds the action level
– Exceeds the permissible exposure level
– Exceeds the dual hearing protection level

– Operator maintains a copy of miner’s notification


Hearing Protectors
– Earmuffs, Earplugs, or combination of plugs and muffs

[Link]
Hearing Protectors
When and what type…
TWA8 – Time-weighted Average 8-hour sound level (dBA)
D – Noise Dose (%)

– Action Level (TWA8 ≥ 85 dBA or D ≥ 50%)


 Operator must provide two plug types & two muff types of hearing protection
 It is the miners option to wear hearing protection, UNLESS
– The miner has incurred a Standard Threshold Shift (STS); or
– More than 6 months will pass before the miner can take a baseline audiogram

– Permissible Exposure Level (TWA8 > 90 dBA or D > 100%)


 Miner must wear one type of operator-provided hearing protection

– Dual Hearing Protection Level (TWA8 > 105 dBA or D > 800%)
 Miner must wear both earplug and earmuff type operator-provided hearing
protection
Audiometric Testing

– The operator must offer


miners the opportunity to
take an annual audiogram

– The miner must avoid high


levels of noise for at least 14
hours prior to taking a
baseline audiogram;
Hearing protectors may be
used as a substitute for this
quiet period
Annual Training Topics
– Effects of noise on hearing

– Purpose and value of engineering


controls & wearing hearing protection

– Pros and Cons of hearing protection


offered

– Care, fit, and use of available hearing


protection

– General requirements of CFR 30 Part


62

– Maintaining noise controls

– Purpose, value, and procedures of


audiometric testing
Record Keeping
 The mine operator is required to keep
accurate records of the following…

– Training certifications

– Notice of exposure

– Audiogram results

– Reportable hearing loss

 It is recommended that the miner keep


copies of any information provided by
the mine operator for their own record
Hearing Conservation Programs
– Miners’ hearing is precious and we need to work
together to preserve their quality of life

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