Hearing Conservation Programs
An effective hearing conservation program can prevent hearing loss, improve employee morale and a general feeling of well-being, increase quality of production and reduce the incidence of stress-related disease. Minimum requirements of a hearing conservation program include:
- Monitoring — Implement a monitoring program whenever any employee’s exposure may equal or exceed the OSHA action level.
- Audiometric Testing — Maintain an audiometric testing program for all employees exposed at or above the action level of 85 dBA-TWA (time-weighted average).
- Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs) — HPDs are generally used during the necessary time it takes to implement engineering or administrative controls, or when such controls are not feasible.
- Employee Training and Education — Institute a training program for all employees and ensure employee participation.
- Recordkeeping — OSHA recordkeeping regulations assist you in recognizing and correcting workplace hazards by tracking work-related injuries/illnesses and their causes.
