If your work environment is noisy, it’s very important to protect your employees’ hearing. Even a moderate amount of noise over a long period of time can cause permanent hearing loss. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to develop a Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) when employees are exposed to noise more than 85 decibels averaged over eight working hours. There are different options for hearing protection and OSHA requirements for training and hearing tests for employees. Luckily, our workers’ compensation team covers these topics and more in this webinar! Check it out below.
Webinar Key Points
0:30-What’s occupational noise exposure? Noise is the most prevalent occupational health problems.
2:03-Summary of terms and acronyms used when talking about hearing conservation programs
3:46-Effects of high levels of noise
4:56-Stats and numbers about hearing loss
5:27-Benefits of an effective hearing conservation program
7:07-General requirements of the OSHA standard
8:55-Noise hazards: If workers are standing a few feet apart and must shout to be heard, that indicates the noise level is too high.
11:33-Purpose of an HCP and requirements for an OSHA compliant program
16:10-Types of personal protective equipment (PPE): earplugs, earmuffs, canal caps
23:00-Monitoring sound levels
24:37-Testing employees' hearing once a noise issue is discovered: baseline and annual audiograms
27:05-Employee training requirements
28:36-Recordkeeping requirements
