Hearing Conservation Program

Caliber Construction Alaska LLC Hearing Conservation Program

 

The Program Administrator for Caliber Construction Alaska will be Nicholas Cherry.

 

Administrative responsibilities include:  Coordination of and supervision of noise exposure monitoring.

  • Identification of employees to be included in the HCP.
  • Coordination and supervision of audiometric testing program.
  • Supervision of hearing protector selection.
  • Development of policies relating to the use of hearing protectors.
  • Supervision of employee training.
  • Coordination and supervision of record keeping.
  • Evaluation of overall program.

 

While noise control systems are being evaluated and installed or where it is not feasible to decrease noise exposures to acceptable levels, it is required to establish a hearing conservation program. The required elements of the program are:

Monitoring

Noise exposure levels must be measured wherever they may reasonably be expected to be above an eight-hour time weighted average of 85 dBA.

 

For our Company, the following operations are known to be loud and until measured, assume levels are in excess of 85 dBA:      

Jackhammer Operations

Sawing Operations

Compacting Operations

Monitoring will be conducted by Caliber Construction Alaska.  Where possible, check with the main office to determine if historic data was conducted and can be used for specific operations.

Employee will have the opportunity to observe the monitoring in a manner that does not disrupt the work flow.

Noise Controls

Noise controls must be evaluated and implemented wherever employee exposures are at or above an eight-hour time weighted average of 90 dBA.

                                                            

Remember: We expect superintendents/foremen to utilize controls where possible:

  • Block the noise by building temporary barriers of plywood or other noise reducing material to block or absorb the noise from reaching the workers.
  • Move equipment further away with the use of proper extension cords, additional welding leads, and air hoses. 
  • Reduce the noise by buying/renting/leasing equipment which is quieter and using appropriate hearing protection devices.  Call supplier for alternatives.

 

Audiometric Testing Program

All employees with an eight-hour time weighted exposure of 85 dBA or above must be included in an audiometric testing program. A baseline audiogram must be established within the first six months of exposure and annual testing and evaluation must be done.

 

The Program Administrator will ensure that all affected employees participate in the company Audiogram Program which includes baseline testing as soon after orientation as possible but within 6 months of first exposure.   Annual audiograms will be taken to compare to baselines and assess whether employee(s) have experienced measurable hearing loss.  Exposure to noise will be minimized for 14 hours prior to obtaining this baseline exam and subsequent annual tests.

Annual Audiograms will be performed by Caliber Construction Alaska and review all audiogram and refer employees with questionable audiograms to Caliber Construction Alaska. If a standard threshold shift (an average shift in either ear of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hz) is identified:

 

  1. The employee will be notified of the threshold shift within 21 days of this determination;
  2. The employee will be informed of the need for further evaluation if a medical problem is suspected;
  3. The use of hearing protection will continue to be enforced;
  4. The employee will be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protection.

 

Hearing Protection

The employer must provide hearing protection for all employees that have an eight-hour time weighted exposure of 85 dBA or above, who have any continuous exposure at or above 115 dBA, or who have an exposure to any impulse noise levels above 140 dB.

 

Our Company will provide Hearing Protection (HP).  If HP has been identified by the Company to be worn, employees are required to wear that HP during operations where noise levels are in excess.  - see below.

Excavation and Backfill

Demolition

Grading

Dozer Operations

Excavator Operations

Loader Operations

Jackhammer Operations

Sawing Operations

Compacting Operations

Those operations identified in Section 1 of this program will require Hearing Protection until determined through monitoring that HP is no longer warranted. 

The job positions for our company which require hearing protection are:

Laborer

Operator

Grade Checker

Training

Employers must provide annual training to all employees exposed to noise at or above an eight-hour time weighted average of 85 dBA. Training must include the following items:

  • the effects of noise on hearing
  • information on hearing protectors and their use,
  • information on audiometric testing and its purpose, and
  • the employees right to access to records.

 

The employer must maintain a written description of the training program.

The attached training document will be included as part of this written program.

 

Record keeping

Audiometric test records need to contain the following information:

 

  1. name and job classification of employee,
  2. date of audiogram,
  3. examiner’s name,
  4. date of last calibration of the audiometer,
  5. employees most recent noise exposure assessment, and
  6. employer (or his designated testing agent) shall maintain accurate records of the measurements of the background sound pressure levels in the audiometric test rooms.

 

           

Records Retention:

    1. Audiometric test records will be retained for the duration of the affected workers employment.
    2. Noise Exposure monitoring records are required to be kept two (2) years.
    3. All records will be provided to employee upon their request. 
 

 

Hearing Conservation Training Record

 

Training Date:_________________   Trainer: ______________________

 

Topics covered (check below) (or attached copy of training materials):

___ the effects of noise on hearing

___ information on hearing protectors and their use,

___ information on audiometric testing and its purpose

___ the employees right to access to records

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Printed Name

Signature

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noise Exposure Measurements

 

Monitoring Date: ________________

 

Location

Operation

Noise Exposure Level

A-weighted dbA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hearing Conservation Checklist

 

Supervisor Involvement

Data indicate that employees who refuse to wear hearing protectors or who fail to show up for hearing tests frequently work for supervisors who are not totally committed to the hearing loss prevention programs.

Have supervisors been provided with the knowledge required to supervise the use and care of hearing protectors by subordinates?
Do supervisors wear hearing protectors in appropriate areas?
Have supervisors been counseled when employees resist wearing protectors?
Are disciplinary actions enforced when employees repeatedly refuse to wear hearing protectors?

Engineering and Administrative Controls

Controlling noise by engineering and administrative methods is often the most effective means of reducing or eliminating the hazard. In some cases, engineering controls will remove requirements for other components of the program, such as audiometric testing and the use of hearing protectors.

Have noise control needs been prioritized?
Has the cost-effectiveness of various options been addressed?
Are employees and supervisors appraised of plans for noise control measures? Are they consulted on various approaches?
Will in-house resources or outside consultants perform the work?
Have employees and supervisors been counseled on the operation and maintenance of noise control devices?
Are noise control projects monitored to ensure timely completion?
Has the full potential for administrative controls been evaluated? Are noisy processes conducted during shifts with fewer employees? Do employees have sound-treated lunch or break areas?

Hearing Protection Devices

When noise control measures are infeasible, or until such time as they are installed, hearing protection devices are the only way to prevent hazardous levels of noise from damaging the inner ear. Making sure that these devices are worn effectively requires continuous attention on the part of supervisors and program implementors as well as noise-exposed employees.

Have hearing protectors been made available to all employees whose daily average noise exposures are 85 dBA or above? (NIOSH recommends requiring HPD use if noises equal or exceed 85 dBA regardless of exposure time.)
Are employees given the opportunity to select from a variety of appropriate protectors?
Are employees fitted carefully with special attention to comfort?
Are employees thoroughly trained, not only initially but at least once a year?
Are the protectors checked regularly for wear or defects, and replaced immediately if necessary?
If employees use disposable hearing protectors, are replacements readily available?
Do employees understand the appropriate hygiene requirements?
Have any employees developed ear infections or irritations associated with the use of hearing protectors? Are there any employees who are unable to wear these devices because of medical conditions? Have these conditions been treated promptly and successfully?
Have alternative types of hearing protectors been considered when problems with current devices are experienced?
Do employees who incur noise-induced hearing loss receive intensive counseling?
Are those who fit and supervise the wearing of hearing protectors competent to deal with the many problems that can occur?
Do workers complain that protectors interfere with their ability to do their jobs? Do they interfere with spoken instructions or warning signals? Are these complaints followed promptly with counseling, noise control, or other measures?
Are employees encouraged to take their hearing protectors home if they engage in noisy non-occupational activities?
Are new types of or potentially more effective protectors considered as they become available?
Is the effectiveness of the hearing protector program evaluated regularly?
Have at-the-ear protection levels been evaluated to ensure that either over or under protection has been adequately balanced according to the anticipated ambient noise levels?
Is each hearing protector user required to demonstrate that he or she understands how to use and care for the protector? The results documented?

Administrative

Keeping organized and current on administrative matters will help the program run smoothly.

Have there been any changes in federal or state regulations? Have hearing loss prevention program’s policies been modified to reflect these changes?
Are copies of company policies and guidelines regarding the hearing loss prevention program available in the offices that support the various program elements? Are those who implement the program elements aware of these policies? Do they comply?
Are necessary materials and supplies being ordered with a minimum of delay?
Are procurement officers overriding the hearing loss prevention program implementor's requests for specific hearing protectors or other hearing loss prevention equipment? If so, have corrective steps been taken?
Is the performance of key personnel evaluated periodically? If such performance is found to be less than acceptable, are steps taken to correct the situation?
Safety: Has the failure to hear warning shouts or alarms been tied to any accidents or injuries? If so, have remedial steps been taken?