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HomeMy WebLinkAbout700-11STY 00 4FN T0+ POLICY & PROCEDURE Subject:Index: HRRM HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM Number: 700-11 Effective Date: Supersedes: Page: Staff Contact: Approved y: 10/24/2019 11/1/1982 1 of 5 Ellen Bradley-Mak 1.0 PURPOSE: To prevent hearing loss for City of Renton employees, by minimizing noise exposure and by ensuring employees exposed to high noise levels are protected. 2.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED: All departments/divisions. 3.0 REFERENCES: WAC 296-817 4.0 POLICY: 4.1 It is the policy of the City of Renton to protect employees from noise exposure by measuring sample sound levels, by implementing feasible noise controls, by providing and requiring the use of hearing protection when noise reduction is not possible, by training employees, by tracking Hearing Conservation Program results, and by continual evaluation and program improvement. 4.2 Employees who are identified as working in a High Noise Environment and/or are exposed to an eight (8) hour time-weighted average (TWA8) sound level of 85 decibels (dBA) will participate in the Hearing Conservation Program. These employees are required to get annual audiometric testing and are required to wear hearing protection while performing work in High Noise Environments. 4.3 The City of Renton uses mobile test units and, per WAC 296-817-40010, employees must take audiometric testing within one (1) year of assignment to work involving noise exposures at or above 85 dBA TWA8. This initial audiometric test will be used to establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared. 700-11 Hearing Conservation Program p.2 5.0 DEFINITIONS: 5.1 Audiogram: A chart, graph, or table resulting from an audiometric test showing an individual's hearing threshold levels as a function of frequency. 5.2 Audiometric Test: A hearing test resulting in an audiogram which shows an individual's hearing threshold levels as a function of frequency. 5.3 High Noise Environment/ Noise Evaluation Criteria: Full-day noise exposure above 85 dBA TWA8: Requires hearing protection, training, and audiometric testing. Full-day noise exposure levels above 90 dBA TWA8: Require noise controls, hearing protection, training and audiometric testing. Extreme noise levels lasting longer than one second that are measured using slow response above 115 dBA: Require hearing protection and signs posted in work areas warning of exposure. Extreme impulse or impact noise lasting less than one second measured in fast response above 140 dBC: Requires hearing protection. 5.4 Noise Dosimeter:An instrument that integrates a function of sound pressure over a period of time in such a manner that it directly indicates a noise dose. 5.5 Noise Level Testing: Noise levels are measured in "decibels" by Sound Level Meter equipment. Sound levels fall onto a logarithmic decibel scale. For reference, a pin dropping is 15 decibels. A lawn mower is 90 decibels and a jet takeoff is 140 decibels. 5.6 Safety Officer: Designated representative of the Human Resources & Risk Management department. 5.7 Standard Threshold Shift: A change in hearing ability of at least 10 decibels, relative to a baseline audiogram, in three frequencies (2000, 3000, or 4000 hertz), in one or both ears. 5.8 TWA8: Equivalent Eight-Hour Time-Weighted Average Sound Level; That sound level which, if constant over an eight (8) hour period, would result in the same sound dose measured in an environment where the sound level varies. 6.0 PROCEDURE: 6.1 Hearing Conservation Program: Employees who are identified as working in a high noise environment will be in the Hearing Conservation Program which includes annual training, audiometric testing and monitoring. Employees are required to wear hearing protection in high noise environments. 700-11 Hearing Conservation Program p.3 6.2 Audiometric Testing 6.2.1 Employees in the Hearing Conservation Program shall take an annual audiometric test, through a city-chosen provider, at no cost to the employee.These employees will be scheduled for annual audiometric tests for as long as their work requires them to be subjected to high noise levels. 6.2.2 Employees will be instructed to avoid unprotected exposure to high noise levels for at least 14 hours before testing is done. 6.2.3 Employees will be provided with results of their individual audiometric exams to include whether or not there has been a hearing level decrease or improvement since the-previous test. 6.2.4 Annual testing will also be compared to the baseline test results. If a standard threshold shift is found, the employee may be retested within 30 days. 6.2.5 If a standard threshold shift is found, employees will be notified in writing within 21 days of determination. An opinion from the health care professional supervising audiograms as to whether the audiograms indicate possible occupational hearing loss and any recommendations for changes in hearing protection must be obtained. If additional review is necessary to evaluate the hearing loss, the employee will be referred for a clinical audiological evaluation or ontological examination per WAC 296-817-40020. 6.3 Training 6.3.1 Training will be provided to all employees who work in High Noise Environments. 6.3.2 Departments are responsible for providing training to employees when they are first assigned to a position involving noise exposure that equals or exceeds 85 dBA TWA8 and at least annually after that. The noise and hearing protection training requirement can be satisfied by a third party administrator in conjunction with audiometric testing, such as the mobile testing unit, as long as it covers the required training topics in WAC 296-817-20020. 6.4 Noise Areas and Measurement 6.4.1 Per WAC 296-817-30010, employee noise exposure, where noise levels are constant, may be estimated using measurements from a sound level meter. 700-11 Hearing Conservation Program p.4 6.4.2 Due to work performed in High Noise Environments, non-administrative employees working in the Public Works' Shops and in the Parks &Trails' Shops are automatically placed in the Hearing Conservation Program. Exemptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the department administrator, director and Safety Officer. 6.4.3 Noise monitoring must be conducted whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls may result in exposure exceeding 85 dBA TWA8. To further ensure continued employee protection from noise exposure, good practice includes taking sample work space and equipment sound level measurements at least every 2 years. 6.5 Record Keeping 6.5.1 Audiometric test records of employees in the Hearing Conservation Program will be maintained in the Human Resources and Risk, Management Department for the duration of the employment. 6.5.2 Departments are responsible for maintaining initial and annual training records of their employees. 6.5.3 Exposure Measurements will be maintained by the Safety Officer for at least two years and for as long as they are relied upon to determine employee exposure per WAC 296-817-20040. 6.6 Hearing Protection Use 6.6.1 Departments determined to be High Noise Environments will provide their employees with an appropriate selection of hearing protectors at no cost to the employee. The selection will include at least two distinct types such as earplugs and earmuffs) and must be sufficient to reduce the employee's equivalent exposure to below 85 dBA TWA8. Hearing protectors offer less effective hearing protection than indicated by rating. For single hearing protection, effective protection offered is 7 dBs less than the noise reduction rating (NRR). For example, a NRR of 20 dB will provide a 13 dB reduction, reducing an exposure of 95 dBA TWAsto 82 dBA TWA8. For dual hearing protection (such as earplug and earmuff worn together), the exposure reduction is 2 dBA less than the higher of the two NRRs. For example, earplugs with an NRR of 20 dB and earmuffs with an NRR of 12 dB reduce exposure by 18 dBA (20 dB minus 2 dB). This example's dual hearing protection reduces an exposure of 100 dBA TWA8to 82 dBA TWA8. 700-11 Hearing Conservation Program p.5 6.6.2 All employees are required to wear appropriate hearing protection in High Noise Environments. Employees who do not follow this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.