Ready Mixed Concrete
Hearing Conservation Program
General Company Policy
The purpose of this program is to establish that Ready Mixed Concrete is complying with the
OSHA Hearing Conservation standard, Title 29 CFR 1910.95.
Ready Mixed Concrete will conduct initial noise monitoring using sound level meters and/or noise
dosimeters as appropriate to determine employee noise exposures in those areas or operations where
noise may produce hazards to employees.
When monitoring indicates employees are exposed to noise levels above the Action Level the
company will implement this hearing conservation program.
The Safety Director is the program coordinator, who has overall responsibility for the program.
Definitions
Action Level (AL) is 85 decibels (dBA) averaged over an 8 hour shift, 83.4 dBA averaged over a
10 hour shift or 82.1 dBA averaged over a 12 hour shift without regard to the use of personal
protective equipment (hearing protectors).
A-weighted decibels (dBA) means a measured noise using the A-weighting network on a sound
level meter or dosimeter.
Baseline Audiogram is an audiometric test that is conducted within six months of an employee’s
hire date or within six months of an employee moving into a job position that is included in the
hearing conservation program.
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is 90 dBA averaged over an 8 hour shift.
Standard Threshold Shift (STS) is a change in hearing threshold relative to the baseline
audiogram of an average of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hertz frequency in either ear.
Monitoring
All continuous, intermittent and impulsive sound levels from 80 dBA to 130 dBA will be captured
by the monitoring equipment.
Monitoring equipment will be calibrated before and after measurements are taken to insure
accuracy.
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Ready Mixed Concrete
Hearing Conservation Program
Monitoring will be will be repeated whenever there is a change in production, process, equipment or
controls which may increase noise levels so that additional employees may be exposed over the AL
or hearing protectors in use may not offer adequate protection.
Employees who are exposed to noise over the AL will be enrolled in the hearing conservation
program and notified of the monitoring results via a written memo within one week of collecting the
data.
Employees are required to participate in all noise monitoring efforts.
Monitoring results are maintained in best block.
Audiometric Testing Program
Baseline tests are made available, at no cost, for all employees enrolled in the hearing conservation
program.
Annual audiometric tests are made available, at no cost, to all employees enrolled in the hearing
conservation program.
Audiometric tests are performed by our contractor:
Sound Solutions
4280 Hale Pkwy.
Denver, CO 80220
303-825-7019
All tests will be conducted and evaluated as required by 29 CFR 1910.95(g).
If the employee has experienced a standard threshold shift they will be notified in via memo within
within 21 days.
Hearing Protectors
At least two different types of hearing protectors are made available to employees by Ready Mixed
Concrete. All types of hearing protection available has an adequate noise reduction rating (NRR)
for our operations.
Employees cannot provide or bring their own hearing protection devices unless specifically
approved by the Safety Director.
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Revision Date:2/12/2016
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Hearing Conservation Program
The use of hearing protection is required in best block and any areas that are posted throughout the
facility.
Supervisors are required to insure that hearing protection is being properly utilized in their
functional areas.
Training
All employees enrolled in the hearing conservation program will participate in an annual training
program.
Employees are informed of the effects of noise on hearing, the purpose of hearing protectors; the
advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting,
use and care; and the purpose of the audiometric testing and an explanation of the test procedures.
Supervisors are required to post a copy of the noise standard (1910.95) in work areas where
employees are enrolled in the hearing conservation program.
Copies of the noise standard are also available to employees through the Safety Director.
Recordkeeping
All audiometric tests conducted for employees are maintained by Ready Mixed Concrete for the
duration of the employee’s employment. These records are maintained in best block.
These records will contain the following items:
 Employee’s name and job classification
 Date of the audiogram
 Examiners name
 Date of the last calibration of the audiometer
 Employee’s most recent noise exposure assessment
 Background sound pressure levels in the audiometric test room
All employee exposure assessments conducted by Ready Mixed Concrete will be maintained by the
company for at least two years.
Employees, former employees and representatives of these employees may have access to their
individual noise assessment results and audiometric test results upon request.
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Hearing Conservation Program
EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND INFORMATION
VERIFICATION FORM
(Group Training)
This is to certify that on ____/____/_____ the following employees have been provided
information and training in accordance with 1910.95 regarding the following subjects:






The Hearing Conservation Standard
Noise
Identifying Noise Hazards
Hearing Protectors
Hearing Tests
Questions
Employee Name (print)
Instructor________________
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Employee Signature
Date___________
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Department
Ready Mixed Concrete
Hearing Conservation Program
Employee Name
Instructor____________
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Ready Mixed Concrete
Employee Signature
Date____________
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Department
Ready Mixed Concrete
Hearing Conservation Program
EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND INFORMATION
VERIFICATION FORM
(New Employee or Individual Training)
This is to certify that on ___/___/___ I have been provided information and training in
accordance with the Hearing Conservation Standard regarding the following subjects:






The Hearing Conservation Standard
Noise
Identifying Noise Hazards
Hearing Protectors
Hearing Tests
Questions
_________________________________________________________________
Instructor
Date
SSN
______________________________
___________________________
Employee Name (print)
Employee Signature
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