HEARING CONSERVATION
CORPORATE SAFETY TRAINING
29 CFR 1910.95
WELCOME
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REGULATORY STANDARD
THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE
FEDERAL - 29 CFR 1903.1
EMPLOYERS MUST: Furnish a place of employment
free of recognized hazards that are causing or are likely
to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.
Employers must comply with occupational safety and
health standards promulgated under the WilliamsSteiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
OSHA ACT OF 1970
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APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
29CFR - SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS
1910 - INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
95 - OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE
DANGER
HEARING
PROTECTION
REQUIRED
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APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
CONTENTS OF 29 CFR 1910.95:
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a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
A-Weighted Sound Level Determination
Permissible Noise Exposures
Program Requirements
Monitoring Requirements
Employee Notification
Observation of Monitoring
Audiometric Testing Program
Audiometric Testing Requirements
Hearing Protectors
Hearing Protector Attenuation
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APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
(Continued)
CONTENTS OF 29 CFR 1910.95:
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k. Training Program
l. Access to Information and Training Materials
m. Recordkeeping
n. Appendices
A - Noise Exposure Computation
B - Estimating Hearing Protection Attenuation
C - Audiometric Measuring Instruments
D - Audiometric Test Rooms
E - Acoustical Calibration of Audiometers
F - Age Correction Calculations For Audiograms
G - Monitoring Noise Levels
H - Availability of Referenced Documents
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GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
ALL EMPLOYERS MUST:
 Establish a Written Program
HEARING
PROTECTION
PROGRAM
 Conduct Audiometric Testing
 Address Noise Exposure Standards
 Conduct Regular Program Evaluations
 Conduct Work Area Noise Surveillance
 Conduct Hearing Conservation Training
 Control Hazards Using Ear Protectors as a Last Resort
 Ensure Proper Selection of Noise Exposure Equipment
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TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
THE EMPLOYER MUST PROVIDE TRAINING:
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Training Must Establish Proficiency in use of Protectors.
Explain The Operation, Capabilities, and Limitations.
Training Must be Conducted Prior to Job Assignment.
Explain The Reason Hearing Protection is Needed.
Explain Why a Hearing Protector has been Selected.
Explain Proper Maintenance and Storage of Protectors.
Explain Inspection, and Proper Wear.
Explain The Nature, Extent and Effects of Noise Hazards.
Provide Explanation of Why Engineering Controls are not in Use.
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RETRAINING REQUIREMENTS
REQUIRED WHEN THERE IS A:
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Program Related Injury.
Change in Job Assignment.
New Hazards or Equipment.
New Hazard Control Methods.
Failure in the Safety Procedures.
Reason to Doubt Employee Proficiency.
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HEARING
PROTECTION
PROGRAM
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PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
IMPLEMENTATION OF A HEARING
CONSERVATION PROGRAM REQUIRES:
 DEDICATION
 PERSONAL INTEREST
 MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT
NOTE:
UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT FROM THE WORK FORCE
IS ESSENTIAL, WITHOUT IT THE PROGRAM WILL FAIL!
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PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Continued
DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE:
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Establish responsibility.
Establish a corporate policy and develop rules.
Conduct a noise survey of the facility.
Determine appropriate noise control measures.
Eliminate noise hazards where possible.
Conduct employee training.
Provide protection where hazard elimination is not possible.
Perform inspections and maintenance.
Periodically audit the program.
Modify policies and rules as appropriate.
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PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Continued
DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE:
 The initial goal should be to reduce or eliminate noise
hazards by:
1.
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5.
6.
Elimination or substitution of noise producing sources.
Insulating equipment to lower noise levels.
Implementation of administrative controls.
Implementation of engineering controls.
Issuance of hearing protection equipment.
Providing training and procedures.
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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS INCLUDE:
1. Noise Exposure Monitoring
2. Engineering and Administrative Controls
3. Audiometric Evaluation
4. Use of Hearing Protection Devices
5. Training and Motivation
6. Recordkeeping
7. Program Evaluation
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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
(Continued)
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NOISE EXPOSURE MONITORING
 Define Survey Goals
 Characterize the Hazard Accurately
- Area Surveys
- Noise Dosimetry
- Engineering Surveys
 Ensure Results are Representative
 Identify Affected Employees
 Evaluate Specific Noise Sources
 Prioritize Noise Control Efforts
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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
(Continued)
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ENGINEERING AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS
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Reducing Reverberation and Echo's
Reducing Structure-borne Vibrations
Initiate Physical Changes at the Noise Source
Modify or Replace of Equipment
Physical Changes in the Transmission Path
Examples Include:
- Sound Absorbing Material
- Mufflers on Noise Sources
- Acoustical Enclosures and Barriers
- Vibration Mounts and Proper Lubrication
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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
(Continued)
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AUDIOMETRIC EVALUATION
 Should be Performed:
1. Pre-employment
2. Prior to Initial Work Assignment
3. Annually if the Employee Stays in the Same Job
4. At Reassignment Out of a Noisy Job
5. At the Termination of Employment
 Employees Who are Not Noise Exposed can be
Tested to Provide a Comparison Group to Determine
the Overall Effectiveness of the Program. The Two
Groups should Show the Same Amount of Audiometric
Change if the Program is Effective.
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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
(Continued)
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AUDIOMETRIC EVALUATION (Continued)
 Must be administered with calibrated equipment
 Testing must have acceptable background sounds levels
 The same type of audiometer should be used year to year
 Only accredited technicians should be used
 Standardized testing methods should be used
 An Audiologist or Physician should supervise testing
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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
(Continued)
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TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES
 Ear Muffs (Circumaural)
 Semi-Inserts (Semi-Aural)
 Inserts (Aural)
Each type has
advantages and
disadvantages
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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
(Continued)
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TRAINING AND MOTIVATION
Employees “are” the program
Job-specific training is essential
Annual recurrent training recommended
Active employee participation is essential
Training is essential to employee motivation
SAFETY
Training needed for:
- Managers
- Supervisors
- Affected employees
- Maintenance personnel
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Workforce Development Institute
KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
(Continued)
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RECORDKEEPING
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Purpose of the examination
Specific equipment used and calibration dates
Name of the tester
Date and time of the test
Auditory history information
The hearing threshold values obtained
Tester’s judgment of the subject’s response reliability
Record of any refitting, reissuing, or retraining
Tester’s comments, if any
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KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS
(Continued)
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RETENTION OF RECORDS
 Noise exposure measurement records - 25 years
 Audiometric test records - Duration of employment
SAFETY
RECORDS
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PROGRAM REVIEW & EVALUATION
EVALUATION TECHNIQUES INCLUDE:
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Noise surveys (area and personal)
Job hazard analysis assessments.
Employee surveys.
Review of results of facility evaluations.
Analysis of trends in injury/illness rates.
Up-to-date records of logs of noise hazard
improvements tried or implemented.
 Before and after surveys/evaluations of job/worksite
noise protection changes.
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WRITTEN PROGRAM
 WRITTEN PROGRAMS MUST BE:
 DEVELOPED
 IMPLEMENTED
 CONTROLLED
 JOB SPECIFIC
 UNDERSTANDABLE
 SUFFICIENTLY DETAILED
 PERIODICALLY REVIEWED
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THE SUPERVISOR’S ROLE
 CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
1. GET INVOLVED IN THE HAZARD ASSESSMENTS.
2. OBTAIN ASSISTANCE (IF NEEDED) FROM EXPERTS IN THE
FIELD OF CONCERN.
3. COMPLETE THE PAPERWORK (WORK ORDERS, POLICY
CHANGES, ETC.) TO MAKE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS.
4. ATTEND THE SAME TRAINING AS YOUR WORKERS.
5. FOLLOW-UP ON THE ACTIONS YOU TOOK.
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HEARING PROTECTION
SITUATIONS
WORK INVOLVING:
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Chain saws
Construction
Lawn mowing
Sand blasting
Jack hammers
Spray painting
Musical performances
Grinders, lathes, saws
Manufacturing operations
Exposure during maintenance duties
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
OUTER EAR - MIDDLE EAR - INNER EAR
AUDITORY
NERVE
HAMMER
ANVIL
STIRRUP
COCHLEA
EAR
CANAL
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EAR
DRUM
EUSTACHIAN
TUBE
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 THE COCHLEA AND THE INNER EAR
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A fluid filled sound reception chamber
Contains thousands of tiny hair cells
The cells respond to sound waves made in the fluid
The cells pass the sensation on to the auditory nerve
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 SENSORI-NEURAL HEARING LOSS
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Noise-induced hearing loss
Damages the hair cells or auditory nerves
If the noise is stopped hair cells can bounce back
Damage can be temporary
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 SENSORI-NEURAL HEARING LOSS
 If the noise continues hair cells can’t bounce back
 Damage can be permanent!
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 NOISE MEASUREMENT
 Decibel (dB)
- A unit of measurement for sound pressure
 085 Decibels (dB) is max for the average workday
 140 Decibels (dB) is max for impulse or impact noise
No exposures in excess of 140dB peak sound pressure level
are permitted. Impulsive or impact noise is considered to be
those variations in noise levels at intervals of greater than
one per second. Where the intervals are less than one
second, it should be considered continuous.
Source:
ACGIH
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 NOISE MEASUREMENT (Continued)
 Sound is measured in two ways:
1. Frequency
Intensity
2. Intensity
Frequency
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
FREQUENCY: The pitch -- how high or low the sound is.
Expressed in cycles per second (CPS). Most people can
hear pitches between 20 CPS and 20,000 CPS.
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
INTENSITY: The loudness of sound. Expressed in units
called decibels (dB). the more dB’s, the louder the sound.
One decibel in the smallest unit of sound a person can hear.
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
NOISE REDUCTION RATING (NRR):
A single number
measure of the amount of attenuation of sound that a
hearing protection device will reduce outside sound to.
Expressed in units of decibels (dB).
85dB
NRR 40dB
45dB
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE
The TLV is the upper limit of noise as measured in decibels
averaged over an eight hour work day to which an average
healthy person may be repeatedly exposed on an all-day,
everyday basis without suffering adverse hearing loss.
American
(ACGIH).
Conference
of
Governmental
Industrial
Hygienist
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 THRESHOLD SHIFT
 Hearing loss caused from noise can raise your
“hearing-threshold” -- the degree of loudness at which
you first begin to hear sound. Two types of shifts can
occur:
1. Temporary threshold shift
2. Permanent threshold shift
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 TEMPORARY THRESHOLD SHIFT
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Most of the loss occurs in the first two hours
Workers may not hear sound under 40db after work
Hearing “returns” within two hours after exposure stops
The loss can become permanent with long exposure
NOISE
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 PERMANENT THRESHOLD SHIFT
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Usually no physical signs
Early signs may be tinnitus, ringing, muffling of sound
Hearing no longer “returns” within two hours
The loss starts in high frequencies and may spread
NOISE
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 WORK SOURCES & FACTORS AFFECTING HEARING:
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Age
Pitch
Loudness
Surroundings
Type of machines
Position of source
Length of exposure
Previous ear trouble
Distance from source
Think about your personal work habits! HC-- ‹#›
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 HOME SOURCES & FACTORS AFFECTING HEARING:
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Chain saws
Race tracks
Air hammers
Trap shooting
Starting pistols
Musical groups
Stereo systems
Mowing the lawn
Think about your personal lifestyle!
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
HOW LOUD IS LOUD?
SOURCE
DECIBELS
Rocket launching pad
Jet plane
Gunshot blast
Jackhammer
Automobile horn
Sandblasting
Rock music
Chain saw
Lawnmower
180db
140db
140db
130db
120db
112db
110db
100db
090db
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
HOW LOUD IS LOUD?
SOURCE
DECIBELS
Alarm clock
080db
Busy traffic
075db
Vacuum cleaner
070db
Normal conversation
065db
Dishwasher
060db
Average home
050db
Quiet office
040db
Whisper at 5 feet
030db
Average threshold of hearing
015db
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 EXTREMELY HIGH, LOUD NOISE
 Can cause “Traumatic Hearing Loss”
- May be caused by a single exposure to loud noise
- Less common than other types of hearing damage
 Can cause other effects in the work place
- Contributes to poor communication at work
- Unpleasant sound may cause fear, anger etc.
- Noise may cause fatigue or distractions
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PRINCIPLES OF HEARING
Continued
 WHEN IS NOISE TOO LOUD?
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You have to raise your voice to be heard.
You can’t hear someone less than 2 feet away from you.
Speech sounds muffled after you leave a noisy area.
You have ringing in your ears after exposure to noise.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
AN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST
SHOULD BE CONSULTED
REGARDING THE TYPE OF
HEARING PROTECTION TO BE
USED WITH YOUR OPERATION!
THE FOLLOWING ARE GENERAL
GUIDELINES ONLY!
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued
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TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES
 Ear Muffs (Circumaural)
 Semi-Inserts (Semi-Aural)
 Inserts (Aural)
Each type has
advantages and
disadvantages
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued
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EAR MUFFS (CIRCUMAURAL)
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Surround the ear to reduce sound
Very effective at reducing sound
One size usually fits everyone
Can be expensive
Cleaning can be time-consuming
Bulk can be a problem
Can be uncomfortable in hot conditions
Can be attached to:
- Helmets
- Bump caps
- Hard
hats
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& Industry
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued
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SEMI-INSERTS (SEMI-AURAL)
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Insert partially into the ear
Snug fit is essential
Moderately effective at reducing sound
Do not always effectively seal ear canal
One size fits all
Large variety of shapes
Cleaning is simple
Bulk is not a problem
Comfortable in hot conditions
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued
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INSERTS (AURAL)
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Training is essential to proper use
Insert into the ear
Snug fit is essential
Moderately effective at reducing sound
Do not always effectively seal ear canal
Large variety of shapes
Cleaning is simple
Bulk is not a problem
Comfortable in hot conditions
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued
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INSERTS (Available in three forms)
Continued
 Premolded Inserts - which may be universalfitted or sized.
 Custom Molded Inserts - which are either
fabricated at a factory from an impression
taken of the ear canal or designed so that the
impression itself becomes the final device.
 User Molded Inserts - which may be reusable
or disposable, expand in the ear canal to form
a seal after they are rolled and inserted.
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued
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SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
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Continued
Will they effectively reduce sound levels?
Comfort - will the users wear them?
Cost
Ease of use and repair
Sizing and fitting ranges
Dielectric considerations
Training and skill for use
Durability and life expectancy
Anthropometric considerations
Availability of replacement parts
Size, weight, pressure, adjustability
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HEARING DEVICE SELECTION
Continued
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SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
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Continued
Visibility
Pilferability
Storage shelf life
Climatic susceptibility
Susceptibility to abuse
Hygienic considerations
Will the users like them?
Susceptibility to alteration
Confined space considerations
Work environment susceptibility
Compatibility with other equipment
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INSPECTION AND CARE
OF HEARING PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
Continued
HEARING DEVICE CHECKLIST:
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INSPECTION
Do a fit test to ensure proper seal.
CHECKLIST
Receive proper training in its use.
Provide proper care for equipment.
Ensure hazard levels are known.
Review noise exposure limits.
Receive annual and recurrent training.
Select correct hearing protection devices.
Follow local policies and procedures.
Wear only approved hearing protection devices.
Wear only devices on which you have received training.
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INSPECTION AND CARE
OF HEARING PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
Continued
INSPECTION CONSIDERATIONS:
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INSPECTION
CHECKLIST
Develop a detailed inspection policy.
Document each inspection.
Inspect all components before use.
Tag as unusable, damaged equipment.
Inspect equipment before each use (without exception).
Separate damaged equipment from serviceable equipment.
Consider the effects on equipment stored for long periods.
Remove contaminated equipment from service immediately.
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INSPECTION AND CARE
OF HEARING PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
Continued
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING CONSIDERATIONS:
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Read the manufactures guidelines first!
Disassemble (if needed) in accordance with procedures.
Scrub devices in detergent and warm water.
Rinse to remove detergent.
Air-dry, do not dry rubber under heat or sunlight.
Never use solvents to clean plastic or rubber.
STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS:
 Protect from sunlight, heat, cold, moisture and chemicals!
 Place devices in individual sealable plastic bags
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