Hearing Conservation Program

Hearing Conservation Program

I. PURPOSE

As part of its commitment to employee health and safety, ENPOINTE has developed this Hearing Conservation Program in accordance with the requirements established by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95. Since ENPOINTE has portions of its production facility (notably Press, Digital Finishing Area, and Finishing Areas) which routinely exceed 85 dBA over an eight hour period and has other areas where hearing protection is advisable as a “good practice” (Handwork, Lettershop), ENPOINTE has established this program to:

  • Prevent occupational hearing loss and to help conserve the hearing ability of those employees who have been evaluated as having noise-induced hearing loss
  • Routinely monitor in-plant noise levels
  • Provide for initial and annual employee audiogram testing (for affected employees)
  • Assure initial and annual employee hearing protection training for all affected employees

II. SCOPE

This ENPOINTE Hearing Conservation Program will:

  • Inform ENPOINTE personnel of noise hazards presented by on-site production processes
  • Suggest use of hearing protection as a “good practice” for areas where noise levels are elevated, but do not exceed mandatory levels
  • Describe noise testing and annual audiometric testing plans which support this program
  • Describe annually-required training given to further educate ENPOINTE Employees regarding the importance of hearing protection both at home and in the workplace

III. RESPONSIBILITIES

  • At no cost to the ENPOINTE employee, provide ENPOINTE employees in the Hearing Conservation Program with baseline audiograms and annual audiogram follow-ups.
  • At no cost to the ENPOINTE employee, provide a choice of hearing protection devices (a minimum of two types of ear plugs and one type of ear cap or muff), and ensure that they are being worn.

HCP Administrator

  • Reviewing program periodically to ensure effectiveness
  • Arranging for noise monitoring and providing a written report to the facility
  • Arranging for noise testing when a change in equipment or processes that may increase noise exposure to various ENPOINTE employees has occurred
  • Arranging for noise testing upon request from the individual departments that are concerned with noise exposures in their areas
    Ensuring protocol of ENPOINTE Hearing Conservation Program are followed
  • Revisions of this document, when necessary
  • Assisting departments in choosing and fitting hearing protection devices
  • Notifying Management if modified work areas or procedures require participation in the Hearing Conservation Program
  • Arranging for ENPOINTE employee audiograms
  • Recordkeeping

Individual Department Managers

  • Notifying HCP Administrator when processes change that may increase noise exposure
  • Ensuring hearing protection is being worn in appropriate areas; and follows disciplinary action policies in the event of noncompliance.
  • Provide proper fitting instructions during initial training sessions, as well as instructions on the correct use and care of all hearing protection

ENPOINTE Employees

  • Wearing hearing protection correctly as per received training
  • Knowing which areas and/or tasks require hearing protection and using it in those areas
  • Keeping unnecessary noise to a minimum (such as pallet slapping and excessive horn use)

Audiometric Testing Provider:

Reviews all audiograms, they must provide:

  • Copy of examiner’s most recent Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) certification card.
  • Name, address and certification/license of supervising physician or audiologist if examiner is a nurse/technician.
  • Make referrals for otological/audiological evaluation and treatment
  • Provide the HCP Administrator the criteria for determining “problem” audiograms
  • Provide written reports to the HCP Administrator (including reports to the ENPOINTE employee for the HCP Administrator to distribute)
  • Copies of the most recent instrument or exhaustive calibration records for all audiometers used in testing ENPOINTE employees
  • Provide immediate feedback to ENPOINTE employee regarding audiogram results
  • A technician who performs audiometric tests must be responsible to an audiologist, otolaryngologist or physician

IV. EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE NOISE

Exposure to excessive noise during a limited time puts stress on the inner ear and causes a temporary loss of hearing. However, if someone is continuously exposed to excessive noise, the inner ear loses its ability to recover and inner ear cells are destroyed. Permanent hearing loss occurs as a result.

Inability to hear high-pitched or high frequency sounds is the first sign of hearing loss. If a person is unable to hear high frequency sounds, noises become distorted and it is difficult to distinguish between individual sounds. This distortion cannot be corrected. Hearing aids make noises louder, but they cannot restore the ability to hear high frequency sounds.

V. NOISE LEVEL MONITORING

ENPOINTE has conducted noise level monitoring throughout its facility.

Monitoring will be repeated whenever significant changes in operation, production, process, equipment or controls occur.

ENPOINTE employees who are monitored for noise exposure will be notified of the results. Each ENPOINTE employee or their representative shall be given the opportunity to observe any noise monitoring as it is being conducted. All continuous, intermittent and impulsive sound levels from 80 dB to 130 dB will be integrated into the noise measurements.

VI. AUDIOMETRIC TESTING

Affected ENPOINTE employees that are exposed to an 8-hour Time Weighted Average of 85 dBA or greater will be included in the audiometric program. These ENPOINTE employees must undergo audiometric testing to establish a baseline audiogram. A valid baseline audiogram must be established within six months of a ENPOINTE employee’s first documented exposure. To establish a valid audiogram, ENPOINTE employees should not be exposed to workplace noise or high levels of non-occupational noise for at least 14 hours prior to testing.

After baseline audiograms are established, annual testing will be performed to determine if ENPOINTE employees are suffering from occupational exposure. If tests show ENPOINTE employees have experienced a hearing loss of 10dB or more at 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz in either ear, additional steps must be taken to protect them. This information will be kept confidential in the ENPOINTE employee’s medical history file.

Testing will be provided by a certified audiologist at no cost to ENPOINTE Employees. The HCP Administrator is responsible for arranging the initial exam within 6 months of an ENPOINTE employee’s hire or transfer and annually thereafter.

Each annual audiogram will be evaluated by an audiologist to determine if a standard threshold shift (STS) has occurred. If an STS has occurred, a retest will be given within 30 days. The audiograms will be reviewed and a determination will be made whether there is a need for further evaluation, or recommendations. A confirmed STS will result in an OSHA recordable case.

VII. HEARING PROTECTION

Hearing protection will be made available to all affected employees at no cost and replenished as necessary. Department Managers should ensure that employees required to wear hearing protection do so. Department Managers noting employees who continually fail to wear hearing protection should take immediate disciplinary action.

Hearing protection devices are designed with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) to specify their noise blocking ability. Disposable hearing protection (foam ear plugs) with a 30dB NRR are adequate for noise exposures found within ENPOINTE Employees are encouraged to request different styles and types of hearing protection to ensure their effectiveness and comfort.

VIII. EMPLOYEE TRAINING

All affected employees must complete a safety orientation that includes hearing protection before beginning work in an area where hearing protection is required. Training will be updated annually during Employee Right-to-Know training and in conjunction with annual audiometric testing. Training will cover:

  • The effects of noise on hearing
  • The purpose of audiometric testing and explanation of testing procedures
  • How to select, fit, use and care for hearing protection devices

IX. RECORDKEEPING

The following information must be kept on file:

  • Noise level monitoring measurements (initial and periodic checks—new measurements will be taken whenever significant changes in operations occur)
  • Audiometric tests for all affected ENPOINTE employees
  • Additional test results or other documentation for ENPOINTE employees with apparent hearing loss
  • Training materials and documentation that all affected ENPOINTE employees receive annual training.

Individual ENPOINTE employee records (e.g., audiograms) must be maintained on file for the length of employment for each individual, plus 30 years.

Reviewed 1/11/22