Independent School District 196
Hearing Conservation Management Program
Independent School District (ISD) 196 has implemented a hearing conservation management program to prevent
occupational hearing loss and comply with the OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.95. ISD 196 has;
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Identified departments, job requirements, and employees covered under the Hearing Conservation Program.
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Provides Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for employees covered under the Hearing Conservation Program.
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Provides required training and testing for employees covered under this program and ensure that covered
employees are knowledgeable of how to protect and maintain their hearing.
Program Responsibilities
The following are the responsibilities of individuals who are involved the implementation or use of this program.
Health and Safety Supervisor
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Develop specific policies and procedures pertaining to Occupational Noise Exposure.
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Schedule and conduct sound level testing.
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Schedule training and testing for all employees covered under this program.
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Periodically review the program making changes where necessary.
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Provide covered employees with information on and selection of personal protective equipment
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Purchase proper personal protective equipment.
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File employee records electronically as “confidential”.
Coordinator/Supervisor(s)
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Ensure that hearing protection equipment is provided and used as directed.
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Assist in the enforcement of policies and procedures as they relate to the Hearing Conservation Program.
Employees
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Comply with all guidelines and regulations as they may apply to this program.
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Participate in scheduled training and testing programs on the elements of this plan.
Definitions
Refer to OSHA’s Occupational Noise Exposure standard 29 CFR 1910.95 located in the Regulations section of the
management program.
Program Elements
Monitoring
ISD 196 is implementing a monitoring program which provides an ongoing means of determining employee exposure to
noise and to protect employees from excessive noise exposure. When an employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the Health and Safety Supervisor will implement monitoring (sound level
and/or dosimeter) to identify all employees to be included in the program and to select, obtain and provide proper hearing
protection if needed. Additional monitoring will be conducted when equipment or process changes anticipate a change in
an employee’s noise exposure.
To determine employee exposure to noise, the district will monitor areas of concern. Noise dosimeters and sound level
meters that comply with the provisions of 29 CFR 1910.95 will be used. In areas where significant variations in sound
levels are expected, noise dosimetry will be conducted. Monitoring forms and noise survey reports are located in the
Noise Level Testing section of the management program.
Employees Covered under the Program
Employees with a measured noise exposure above the action level of 85 dBA TWA (8 hour time weighted average) are
enrolled in the Hearing Conservation Program. Employee groups include:
1. Full, Part-time, and Seasonal Grounds employees
2. Selected Building Chiefs and Maintenance Chiefs who use ground equipment for more than 6 hours at a time on a
regular bases
Note: Secondary school Technology Education and Instrumental Music Teachers are currently being evaluated upon
request.
Audiometric Testing
An audiometric testing is available at no cost to all exposed employees to ensure that noise exposures are not having a
negative impact on employee hearing and that designated personal protective equipment is adequate and available for use.
Audiograms are performed by licensed and certified audiologists selected by the Health and Safety Supervisor. Currently
the district is using Med Compass Mobil Health Services. A valid baseline audiogram is established for employees who
are potentially at risk. Audiometric testing will be repeated annually and employees are required to attend. Those who
are unable to attend the audiometric testing will be required to complete it at the Apple Valley Medical Clinic located at:
Occupational Health Department
14655 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952-997-9820
Med Compass Mobil Health Services will determine whether a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) has occurred by reviewing
data obtained from the periodic testing. Employees that experience a threshold shift in hearing will be notified by letter
and subject to a retest (as requested by the District or employee) and will be refitted with hearing protection that offers
greater hearing attenuation were necessary. If subsequent audiometric testing reveals an employee with an STS that is not
persistent the Health and Safety Supervisor will notify that employee of the new audiometric interpretation and discuss
PPE options.
Hearing Protection
Hearing protection is available for employees who are exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or
greater at no cost to the employees. Hearing protection used will decrease exposure to a level below 85 dBA. Employees
may contact the Office of Health and Safety to order proper hearing protection. Those who work where regular hearing
protection would interfere with their duties or who cannot use traditional hearing protection will be offered customized
hearing protection options upon recommendation of a treating physician or audiologist.
Training and Information
Covered employees are required to attend an annual training which is given at the time of audiometric testing through
Med Compass. Refer to Employee Roster in the Med Compass hearing Test Report for names. Training provided will
emphasize and achieve employee awareness of the following:
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Effects of noise on hearing.
Purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types instructions on
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selection, fitting, use, and care.
Purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of test procedures.
The Health and Safety Supervisor provides employees informational materials pertaining to the Occupational Noise
Exposure standard, testing requirements and restrictions prior to their scheduled audiogram.
Enforcement
Employees who do not wear their hearing protection may be disciplined as provided in employee contracts.
Recordkeeping
Recordkeeping is an essential element of the hearing conservation program, since it is the means by which hearing levels
are tracked and assessed over a period of years. Below are the requirements of The District as they pertain to
recordkeeping.
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The district will obtain and maintain a series of measurements to provide comprehensive and up-to-date records.
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Employee audiometric test records will be retained for the duration of the affected work’s employment plus thirty
years.
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Noise exposure measurement records will be retained for two years then archived in the District’s DocuWare
database thereafter.
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Employees, former employees, Union representatives, Administration, OSHA, may request information regarding
employee audiometric testing or training records. However, confidential information will not be release to
anyone other than the employee themselves.