Fairfield (CT) Fire Department
Standard Operating Procedure No. SFT 15
S.O.P. TITLE:
Hearing Conservation Program
ISSUE DATE:
March 19, 2005
REVISED DATE: none
Page 1 of 5
Authorized by: __________________________
Introduction
An effective hearing conservation program can prevent hearing loss, improve employee
morale and a general feeling of well-being, and reduce the incidence of stress-related
disease.
OSHA standard 1910.95 Occupational Noise Standard requires that the employers
provide a hearing conservation program for employees who are exposed to dangerous
occupational noise levels. NFPA 1500 also requires fire departments to develop hearing
conservation programs. Both OSHA and NFPA recognize that hearing protection may not
properly integrate with structural firefighter protective clothing or “where the use of such
protective equipment would create an additional hazard to the user.” (NFPA 1500, 1999
edition) It is the intent of the Fairfield Fire Department Hearing Conservation Program
(FFDHCP) to minimize exposure to dangerous noise levels during emergency response,
equipment inspections and maintenance, and station activities.
The FFDHCP will use the following industry standard model to manage and abate
occupational noise hazards in the workplace:
1. Engineering Controls – eliminate known problems through design
2. Administrative Controls – SOP’s
3. Personal Protective Equipment and Monitoring – provide PPE for uncontrollable
situations
Noise Monitoring Program
On October 20, 2004, an occupational hygienist from CONN-OSHA conducted an onsite
evaluation of employee exposure to occupational noise. Five members of the department
were equipped with noise dosimeters and were instructed to complete their normal daily
activities. Due to the longer shift schedule for firefighters, the Permissible Exposure Limit
for noise for firefighters was established at 83.4 decibels over a 10 hour period. An
evaluation of the results found that one employee exceeded this permissible exposure
limit for noise and three others exceeded the action level for noise as established by
CONN-OSHA standard 1910.95.
As a result of the evaluation, the Fairfield Fire Department will administer a continuing,
effective hearing conservation program for all at risk employees.
The firefighters that were tested performed similar duties to all firefighters in the
department regardless of unit and station assignment. Noise monitoring has identified the
following at risk employee groups and activities:
Exposed Employee Group
At Risk Noise Producing Activity
1. Fire Suppression Personnel





Emergency Response
Gas powered equipment operation
Operation of pumps and vehicles
Checking of apparatus (brakes, pumps)
Radio Usage
2. Fire Maintenance Personnel




Emergency Response
Equipment maintenance activities
Apparatus maintenance activities
Radio Usage
3. Fire Prevention Personnel




Emergency Response
Radio Usage
Alarm system testing
Machinery/fire pump inspections
4. Fire Training Personnel



Emergency Response
Radio Usage
Training activities involving gas powered
tools, apparatus and other equipment
5. Administrative personnel


Emergency Response
Radio Usage
Noise monitoring has identified the following hazardous activities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Emergency response with lights and sirens
Inspection and operation of power equipment (gasoline engine type)
Operating apparatus and pumps
Training Activities involving the above
Apparatus Maintenance activities with excessive noise generation
Emergency Scene activities, power tools, high pressure gas leaks, alarms and
radios
Due to the known noise hazards identified by CONN-OSHA and many uncontrollable
factors, the Fairfield Fire Department considers all suppression, training, prevention and
administrative employees at risk.
Repeated monitoring will be performed when changes in the work environment increase
the levels of noise to which employees may be exposed. This may result from the arrival
of new apparatus, tools or systems or the desire to reduce the level of protection
required. In the event of repeated monitoring, all affected employees or their
representatives will have an opportunity to observe noise monitoring procedures.
Audiometric Testing of Personnel
Audiometric testing will be performed initially upon hire and annually thereafter in
accordance with the OSHA standard 1910.95. This program will be provided at no cost to
employees.
All testing will meet or exceed OSHA requirements and be performed by a licensed or
certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, or other physician, or by a technician who is
certified by the Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation, or who has
satisfactorily demonstrated competence in administering audiometric examinations,
obtaining valid audiograms, and properly using, maintaining and checking calibration and
proper functioning of the audiometers being used. A technician who operates
microprocessor audiometers does not need to be certified. A technician who performs
audiometric tests must be responsible to an audiologist, otolaryngologist or physician.
The FFDHCP will utilize the "mobile test van exception.," portion of the standard. The
exception states that where mobile test vans are used to meet the audiometric testing
obligation, the employer shall obtain a valid baseline audiogram within 1 year of an
employee's first exposure at or above the action level.
Engineering Controls
The Fairfield Fire Department recognizes that minimizing noise production is the best way
to eliminate hazardous noise exposure. As new equipment and apparatus are purchased,
the department will incorporate, where practical, noise reducing technologies.
Administrative Controls
Supervisors will be required to comply with and support this program. CONN-OSHA
considers the noise exposure levels as a serious hazard. Failure to utilize HPD’s when
required is considered a serious violation by the department. Personnel that refuse to
wear provided protection will face disciplinary action in a progressive manner.
Hearing Protection Devices
Hearing protection devices (HPDs) are considered the last option to control exposures to
noise. HPDs are generally used during the necessary time it takes to implement
engineering or administrative controls, or when such controls are not feasible.
Basic Requirements
All personnel shall wear hearing protection devices in accordance with the following chart
when HPD usage is required. All personnel should wear hearing protection devices in
accordance with the following chart when HPD usage is not required. At no time should
the level of personal protection for firefighting be lowered due to the usage of hearing
protection at scene of fires or other emergencies. If personnel can not safety wear
hearing protection, they will not be required to wear it at emergency scenes. (i.e. pump
operator working at a car fire on a limited access highway due to scene safety concerns)
Hearing Protection Requirements for personnel by hazardous activity
Activitity
1. Emergency response with lights and sirens
2. Inspection and operation of power equipment
(gasoline engine type) or fixed equipment.
3. Operating apparatus, compressors, and pumps
4. Prevention inspections with exposure to audible
alarm systems noise (ie. testing alarms)
5. Training activities involving all of the above
6. Apparatus maintenance activities with excessive
noise generation
7. Emergency scene activities, power tools, high
pressure gas leaks, extrications, and alarms
8. Structural Fire Fighting activities
HPD Usage
Required
Required
Required
Required
Required
Required
NOT required but
Recommended - only use if it
does not interfere with other
PPE
Not Required – only use if it
does not interfere with other
PPE
HPD Selection and Use
The Fairfield Fire Department provides a variety of hearing protection to all personnel at
no cost. The department will initially offer a choice of the following hearing protectors
which meet minimum noise reducing requirements (N.R.R.) of OSHA.
Muff Style

E.A.R Model 3000 ear muff – all riding positions of apparatus

David Clack Headset (integrated radio/muff) – Engine 2 lsn __
Plug Style

Moldex Rockets Reusable Ear Plugs – N.R.R. 26 db

Fusion Reusable Corded Earplugs N.R.R. 27 db

Howard Leight QB2hyg Supra-Aural N.R.R. 25 db

E-A-R flex 28 N.R.R.28 db
Training, selection and initial fitting of HPD’s will be provided by qualified personnel on an
annual basis. Due to advances in technology, the department will continue to purchase
newer styles of HPD’s which meet minimum OSHA requirements and offer them to
personnel as requested at no cost.
HPD Attenuation. Attenuation refers to the damping or decrease of noise levels as a result
of wearing HPDs. In the event of changes in equipment and noise levels, the department
will provide improved HPD’s to reduce noise exposures to acceptable levels.
Training and Education
The Fire Department will provide initial and annual training to all personnel as required by
the standard. The training will at a minimum include the following topics:



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.
The purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of test procedures.
Access to Information and Training Materials
As a part of the FFDHCP, the department will:



Make copies of the noise standard available to affected employees or their
representatives and post a copy in each station.
Provide affected employees with any informational materials pertaining to the
standard that are supplied to the employer by OSHA.
Provide, upon request, all material relating to the employer's training and
education program to OSHA.
Record Keeping
The purpose of OSHA recordkeeping regulations is to assist employers in recognizing and
correcting workplace hazards by tracking work-related injuries/illnesses and their causes.
Requirements according to the noise standard are:
Exposure Measurements


Employers must maintain an accurate record of all employee exposure
measurements.
These records must be retained for two years.
Audiometric Test Records




The employer must retain all employee audiometric test records.
These records must include:
o Name and job classification of the employee.
o Date of the audiogram.
o The examiner's name.
o Date of the last acoustic or exhaustive calibration of the audiometer.
o Employee's most recent noise exposure assessment.
The employer must maintain accurate records of the background sound
pressure level measurements in audiometric test rooms.
These records must be maintained for the duration of the affected worker's
employment.
Access to Records

All records required by the noise standard must be provided upon request to:
o employees,
o former employees,
o representatives designated by the individual employee, and
o OSHA.
Transfer of Records


Employers who cease to do business must transfer to the successor employer
all records required by the noise standard.
The successor employer must retain these records for the remainder of the
periods described previously.