OSHA
This guide is intended to assist employers who have processes and operations that expose employees to hazardous noise levels comply with the Occupational
Noise Standards promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA). The kit contains explanations of what is required in the OSHA
noise and hearing conservation regulations. The overview and guidelines
section contains a general description of the employer's responsibilities as
well as specific items that will be checked by OSHA to determine compliance with
the standard. The remainder of the kit contains step-by-step guidelines
for setting up and implementing a noise control and hearing conservation program.
The Occupational Noise Standard and Hearing Conservation Amendment are intended to protect workers from disabling effects of noise-induced hearing
loss. A copy of the rules for General Industry
and Construction are included. This kit
provides guidance on the step-by-step requirements for developing a program
that tracks with these standards.
Specifically, the kit identifies the components of a Hearing Conservation Program. It explains how to identify employees who need to be included in
the program, how to obtain audiometric testing, provide hearing protection
devices and train employees in their use and care. The kit also provides
references and resources to assist employers in obtaining additional information
on the hearing conservation regulation.
MSHA
Effective September
13, 1999, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) modified the noise
standards applicable to each surface and underground metal, nonmetal, and coal
mine subject to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The new
mining standard (30 CFR 62 - Occupational Noise
Exposure) includes the establishment of an 8-hour average of 85 dBA as the Action Level, similar to that found in the OSHA standard for General Industry. A hearing
conservation program is required for all employees whose noise exposures equal
or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA. The information
contained within this kit, while primarily directed towards compliance with the
OSHA Noise standards, can be of assistance in setting up a Hearing
Conservation Program meeting the requirements of the MSHA Noise standard.
This Program Kit is informational only and was compiled from sources believed to be reliable. The Zurich Services Corporation - Risk Engineering makes no guarantee of results and assumes no liability in connection with the
information, methods or safety suggestions contained herein. Moreover, it
cannot be assumed that every acceptable safety or compliance procedure is
contained herein or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or
require additional procedures.
|
