The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to implement a hearing conversation program when noise exposure is at or above 85 decibels averaged over eight working hours, or an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA). The purpose is to prevent initial occupational hearing loss, preserve and protect remaining hearing, and equip workers with the knowledge and hearing protection devices necessary to safeguard themselves.
Workers exposed to loud noises face the possibility of killing the nerve endings in their inner ears. This results in permanent hearing loss that cannot be corrected through surgery or medicine. Loud noise in a workplace environment causes:
- Physical and psychological stress
- Reduces productivity
- Interferes with communication and concentration
- Contributes to workplace accidents and injuries by making it difficult to hear warning signals
Employers are required to measure noise levels, provide free annual hearing exams, and conduct evaluations of the adequacy of the hearing protectors in use. Research shows that employers who take specific measures by implementing hearing conversation programs have higher levels of productivity from their workers and a lower incidence of absenteeism. All employers must repeat monitoring whenever changes in production, process, or controls increase noise exposure.
Understand Your Noise Levels
You can use different methods to measure the noise levels within your workplace. These include:
- Sound level meters
- Noise dosimeters
- Octave band analyzers
A good rule of thumb is if you need to raise your voice to speak to someone standing three feet away, the noise decibels might be too high. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) created an app, Sound Level Meter, an additional tool individuals can use on their devices to measure sound levels. In addition, you can use quitter machines, isolate the noise source, limit worker exposure, or use effective protective equipment.
Improve Workplace Safety
At GMS, our safety experts work with you to ensure employee safety. Luckily, it’s possible to protect your employees from excessively loud noise that could cause complete hearing loss. Be proactive and ensure the safety of your employees now before it’s too late.