Hearing Protection - stagecraft fundamentals

Ship Repair> Personal Protective Equipment> PPE Selection> Hearing Protection06/15/2006 09:20 AMU.S. Department of LaborOccupational Safety & Health Administrationwww.osha.govMyOSHA [skip navigationallinks]SearchIndexAdvanced Search | A-ZShipyard Employment >Ship RepairPPE Selection » Hearing ProtectionScope | Glossary | Additional References | Viewing/Printing Instructions | CreditsWorkers exposed to excessive noise must use appropriatePPE including ear plugs, muffs, or both when engineeringor administrative controls are not feasible to reduceexposure.Hearing protection is part of a hearing conservationprogram, which is required when noise exposure exceedthe action level [85 decibels on the A scale (dBA)].Selection and Use of Hearing ProtectionHearing ConservationOSHA hierarchy of controls is:1.Engineering Controls2.Administration Controls3.Personal Protective EquipmentPotential Hazards:Selection and Use of Hearing ProtectionSome operations in the shipyard produce excessive noise,which may lead to hearing loss. Some of the loudest shiprepair operations include:Abrasive blastingNeedle gunningScalingGrindingMetal straighteningCarbon Arcing/Arc gougingPneumatic pumpsHigh-pressure steam or water cleaningVentilation equipmentRequirements and Example Solutions:Fig 1. Grinder with ear muffshttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/shipyard/shiprepair/ppe/general_ppe/hearing_protection.htmlPage 1 of 3

Ship Repair> Personal Protective Equipment> PPE Selection> Hearing Protection06/15/2006 09:20 AMDevelop and implement an effective HearingConservation Program when action level is exceeded.[1910.95(c)]Follow hearing protection requirements. [1910.95(a)]Hearing protectors are required when noise levelsexceed the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) of90 dBA measured as a time-weighted average (TWA).[1910.95(b)(1)]Hearing protectors must reduce noise to acceptablelevels which may require dual use of ear plugs andmuffs.[1910.95(j)]Review the Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR) for thespecific hearing protection devices. [1910.95 AppendixB: Methods for estimating the adequacy of hearingprotector attenuation]Note: 5 dB can be added to the NRR of the mostprotective device when using both ear plugs andmuffs.Additional Resources:Fig 2. Ear plugsFig 3. Ear muffsNoise Hearing and Conservation. OSHA Safety andHealth Topics Page.Noise Hearing and Conservation. OSHA eTool.Hearing Conservation. OSHA Publication 3074 (2002),160 KB PDF, 32 pages.CPL 2-2.35A - Guidelines for Noise Enforcement;Appendix A. OSHA Directive (1983, December 19).Noise and Hearing Conservation. OSHA eTool. Achapter of the OTM developed to assist OSHA staff inevaluating workplace hazards.Back to TopHearing Conservation ProgramWhen the worker's noise exposure equals or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85decibels on the A scale (dBA), the employer shall develop and implement a hearing conservationprogram. [1910.95(c)]A hearing conservation program consists of the following elements:Monitoring noise levelsAudiometric testing (hearing test)TrainingHearing protectionAdditional Resources:Hearing Conservation. OSHA Publication 3074 (2002), 160 KB PDF, 32 pages.Back to Top| Home | Scope | Glossary | Additional References | Viewing/Printing Instructions | Credits |http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/shipyard/shiprepair/ppe/general_ppe/hearing_protection.htmlPage 2 of 3

Ship Repair> Personal Protective Equipment> PPE Selection> Hearing Protection06/15/2006 09:20 AMBack to Top www.osha.gov www.dol.govContact Us | Freedom of Information Act | Customer SurveyPrivacy and Security Statement | DisclaimersOccupational Safety & Health Administration200 Constitution Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20210http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/shipyard/shiprepair/ppe/general_ppe/hearing_protection.htmlPage 3 of 3