CLARKSON UNIVERSITY
HEARING CONSERVATION
SAFETY PLAN
This written hearing conservation plan serves as a record of details for the hearing conservation program
in place at Clarkson University. We have this program in place to protect the hearing of all workers at the
University. Elements of the hearing conservation program include:
* Monitoring,
* Audiometric Testing
* Hearing Protection
* Training and Information
* Recordkeeping.
James P. Hassett, the Director/ Procurement & Business Services , and the work place safety officer has
overall responsibility for coordinating safety and health programs at Clarkson University. Jim Hassett is
the person having overall responsibility for the Hearing Conservation Program. The Safety Manager will
review and update the program, as necessary.
Copies of the written program may be obtained from the Safety Manager of the Physical Plant
department, Plant & Services building at Clarkson University.
Action level = 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.
Monitoring
The monitoring program is in place to provide continuing means of determining employee exposure to
noise and protect employees exposed above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater.
The University will develop and implement an appropriate monitoring program to identify all employees
for inclusion in the hearing conservation program and to select proper hearing protection. For purposes of
the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with
appendix A and table G-16a of the OSHA Standard 1910.95 Subpart G, Occupational noise exposure.
The following type of calibrated equipment will be used for monitoring :
* Metrsonics, db 307 noise dosimeter, UL Listed 31 N8.
* Model # db - 307, class type 2A to determine employee exposure to noise.
Any employees exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, will be notified by
the University of results of the monitoring by written documentation to the employee.
Clarkson University provides an opportunity for affected employees or their representatives to observe
any noise measurements conducted:
5/01/97
The Physical Plant Safety Manager, or authorized employee shall be present when noise measurements
are being conducted.
Monitoring is repeated whenever a change in production, process, equipment, or controls increases noise
exposures to the extent that either additional employees may be exposed at or above the action level or
the attenuation provided by hearing protectors being used by employees may be rendered inadequate to
meet the requirements of noise reduction.
Audiometric Testing
Clarkson shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program available to all employees whose
exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.
Tests shall be pure tone, air conduction, hearing threshold examinations, with test frequencies as a
minimum 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 HZ.
Baseline Audiogram
Within 6 months of an employees first exposure at or above the action level, the University shall
establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared.
Before testing for a baseline audiogram at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise is
required. Hearing protectors may be used as a substitute for the requirements that baseline audiograms be
preceded by 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise.
Manager / Supervisor shall notify employees of the need to avoid high levels of non-occupational noise
exposures during the 14 hour period immediately preceding the audiometric examination.
At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer shall obtain a new audiogram for
each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. Each employees
audiogram shall be compared to that employees baseline audiogram.
If the annual audiogram shows an employee has suffered a threshold shift, the University may obtain a
retest within 30 days and consider the results or the retest as the annual audiogram.
If a threshold shift has been determined, the employee will be informed of this fact in writing within 21
days of the determination.
Standard Threshold Shift.
This is a change in hearing threshold relative to the baseline audiogram of an average of 10 dB or more at
2000, 3000, and 4000 HZ in either ear.
In determining whether a standard threshold shift has occurred, allowance may be made for the
contribution of aging, (Presbycusis) to the procedure.
5/01/97
If standard threshold shift does occur:
Employees not using hearing protectors are now fitted with hearing protectors, trained in their use and
care, and required to use them.
Employees will go through a refitting and retraining process for employees already using hearing
protectors.
Determine if a referral for a clinical audiological evaluation or an otological examination, as appropriate,
is necessary if there is reason to suspect that a medical pathology of the ear is caused or aggravated by
the wearing of hearing protectors.
Inform the employee of the need for an otological examination if a medical pathology of the ear that is
unrelated to the use of hearing protectors is suspected.
Standard threshold shift is not persistent and hearing protection is no longer required for that employee
and discontinues the required use of hearing protectors for that employee.
Hearing Protectors
The University makes hearing protectors available to all employees exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted
average of 85 decibels or greater at no cost to the employee.
Hearing protectors shall be replaced as necessary.
Manager / Supervisor shall ensure that hearing protectors are worn by any employee who is exposed to
an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater, and who has not yet had a baseline
audiogram.
Clarkson supplies the following varieties of hearing protection for employees that will reduce
attenuation below the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels :
* Soft rubber type ear plug on a neck string----------------- NRR 21
* Soft foam type ear plugs -------------------------------------NRR 29
* Head set ear muffs---------------------------------------------NRR 26
Manager / Supervisor shall provide training in the use and care of all hearing protectors provided to
employees.
Manager / Supervisor shall ensure proper initial fitting and supervise the correct use of all hearing
protectors.
Hearing protectors adequacy of attenuation shall be re-evaluated whenever employee noise exposures
increase to the extent that the hearing protectors provided may no longer adequate attenuation. Clarkson
will provide more effective hearing protectors.
5/01/97
Employee Training Program
Training shall be repeated annually for each employee included in the hearing conservation program.
Information provided in the training program shall be updated to be consistent with change in protective
equipment and work processes.
Training shall also include the following, effects of noise on hearing, the purpose of hearing protectors,
the advantages, disadvantages, attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting use, and
care of hearing protectors. The purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of test procedures.
Access to information and training materials.
The University makes copies of the standard, available to affected employees or their representatives,
and will be filed with the Physical Plant Safety Manager, and placed in the Safety Manual.
The University posts a copy of the standard on the bulletin boards at the designated work areas.
(Student, Part time, Temporary Employees)
Shall attend training in the mandatory use of hearing protectors while performing job duties with
exposure levels equal or greater than a 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.
Manager / Supervisor shall ensure proper initial fitting and supervise the correct use of all hearing
protectors.
Recordkeeping
The University maintains accurate records of all employee exposure measurements required by the
monitoring program of this regulation.
Name and job classification of the employee.
Date of audiogram
The examiners name
Date of the last acoustic or exhaustive calibration of the audiometer.
Employees most recent noise exposure assessment.
Measurements of the background sound pressure levels in audiometric test rooms
Records are filed in the employees personnel file, and a copy is filed with the records management
officer.
The University retains noise exposure measurement records for two years.
Clarkson University provides access to records to employees, former employees, representatives
designated by the individual employee, and OSHA, upon request.
Disciplinary Policy:
All safety rules, procedures, and plans in effect at this University shall be followed. If they are
willfully violated, the violating employee will be penalized.
The list of possible disciplinary actions includes:

Verbal reprimand:
An informal discussion of the incorrect behavior that should take place as soon as possible
after the supervisor has knowledge of the safety misconduct.

Written reprimand:
A written form documenting the safety misconduct, to be presented to the employee and
placed in the employee's personnel file.

Suspension:
A period of time during which the employee is debarred from the function of attending work
and during which the employee is not paid.

Dismissal/termination of employment:
The permanent separation of an employee from the University, initiated for disciplinary
reasons, safety misconduct.
Certain circumstances warrant disciplinary action.
Upon violation of any University safety rule, the violating employee will be penalized. The
severity of the penalty will be in direct correlation to the severity of the safety violation.
5/01/97
Noise Evaluations conducted on Physical Plant Employees from
May 1996 - May 1997.
Date
TWA Dba
Lmax Dba
Projected dose %
Lpeak dB
Job Evaluated
5/20/96
78.0
110.8
13.22
136.7
Carpentry Shop Plant bldg.
5/20/96
87.2
108.0
N/A
135.7
Mowing Lawns (Rider)
5/20/96
93.8
112.3
84.71
148.0
Mowing Lawns (Rider)
5/20/96
77.0
114.5
16.33
145.2
CO-Generator Readings
5/22/96
89.8
112.3
N/A
148.8
Vacuumed (Back pack)
5/29/96
87.4
118.2
N/A
148.0
In - Out of Mechanical rms
5/29/96
71.3
108.4
7.4
137.8
Welding Shop
5/29/96
78.9
110.8
N/A
148.0
Auto shop
6/03/96
80.4
121.0
26.42
148.0
P.M. Comp. And Air Hand
6/03/96
86.7
116.2
62.59
147.0
Carp. Shp. and Ham. Drill
6/03/96
87.8
119.8
N/A
148.0
Weed Eating
6/03/96
85.5
126.6
N/A
148.0
Weed Eating
6/12/96
79.2
117.0
22.11
148.0
Duplicating room
6/12/96
75.9
117.7
14.14
148.0
Duplicating room
3/05/97
74.8
106.8
12.00
146.3
Cat Loader
3/05/97
95.9
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226.76
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Newest Bobcat