Can You Hear Me Now??

According to OSHA, workers run the risk of hearing loss if they are exposed to an average of more than 85 decibels (dB) over an 8-hour workday. OSHA takes excessive noise seriously, and its regulation CFR 1910.95 requires employers in noisy workplaces to:

• Reorganize equipment, facilities, and/or tasks to reduce noise levels.
• Monitor individual and work area noise levels and report high levels to employees.
• Test employee hearing, with annual follow-ups.
• Provide hearing protectors where needed.
• Provide training in the selection and use of hearing protectors.

---

BLR’s OSHA Training System offers a completely prewritten, affordable program to handle machine guarding and dozens of other mandated training needs. Try it at no cost.  

---

As a supervisor, you need to train workers about the dangers of excessive noise—both on and off the job. Start by educating your workers about what constitutes excessive noise. Here are common sounds to give your workers perspective:

• Whisper—10 dB
• Quiet house—30 dB
• Street sounds—70 dB
• Factory—80–90 dB
• Sander—85 dB
• Subway—90 dB
• Pneumatic drill—100 dB
• Car horn—120 dB
• Artillery—120 dB

 

Make sure your workers know how to prevent exposure to dangerous noise. If your employer determines that employees need to wear hearing protection, such as earmuffs, earplugs, canal caps, or a combination thereof, enforce this use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Also, help your employees to get a good fit to make sure they’re getting the most protection.

In addition, instruct them to take these preventive measures:

• Keep ear protectors clean; wash them regularly according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before inserting earplugs.
• Inspect your ear protectors before putting them on. If they’re loose or cracked, report it.

---

Try OSHA Training System for a complete solution to your mandated training needs. You can do so at no cost or risk.

---

Workers also need to recognize the symptoms of hearing damage. Tell your workers to let you know immediately if they experience the following symptoms:

• Noise or ringing in ears
• Trouble hearing people when they speak
• Trouble hearing certain high or soft sounds
• Needing a higher volume on the TV or radio—high enough that other people complain

 

It’s doubly important to protect your workers’ hearing—so they can continue to hear your instructions on all other safety issues, too!

---

Why It Matters…

• Approximately 30 million Americans are exposed to high noise levels on the job.
• Around 26 million Americans have hearing loss from exposure to excessive noise.
• Hearing loss is 100% preventable, but once hearing is damaged, it’s irreversible.

 

Other Recent Articles on Training
The Pesky Details of Working Safely with Pesticides
OSHA Regs—How Can I Keep Up?
Minimizing a Pandemic’s Impact on Your Workplace
Spiders and Ticks and Mosquitoes—Oh My!