When thinking of workplace hazards, things like arc flash or lockout tagout are usually what come to mind. But noise can be equally dangerous, leading to long term hearing problems from both short and long term exposure to high noise areas. Unfortunately, many companies do not track the sound output in their facility, leaving their employees vulnerable to the effects of noise exposure.

If your business does have high noise areas, it is important to review OSHA Standard 1910.95, which regulates noise exposure and safety procedures. OSHA created a very clear table which lays out exactly what does and does not constitute a high noise area, and then sets up pretty clear guidelines as to how you must protect your employees. If you fall within the guidelines set, it is imperative you create a hearing conservation procedure for your employees.

Some companies need to reduce their noise exposure, others need to limit the length of time employees are exposed to noise, and still others need to utilize personal protective equipment to protect their staff. Whatever your requirement, your responsibility does not stop here. After you create a safe environment, you need to ensure employees have not had any negative impact from noise exposure and you must monitor your employees at least annually through audiometric testing. Any significant changes in hearing must be reported and followed up on.

If you have any questions about noise exposure and hearing conservation, including having your facility evaluated, having a conservation plan created, or having your facility audited, please contact us. And if you have anything to add about hearing conservation, please leave a comment.

Understanding OSHA’s policy on occupational noise exposure and hearing conservation is essential to anyone who wants to run their business safely. Standard 1910.95 lays out exactly what OSHA expects of an employer in relation to testing, monitoring, employee notification, observation, evaluation, auditing, and required controls. Following this standard will ensure that you have created a safe work environment for your employees, and that you have an OSHA friendly work environment, in case you are ever audited.

OSHA created a very useful table (1910.95 (a) figure G-9) which can be used to determine if your work zone has any areas which require your attention. If you do have any high noise areas, you must take immediate action to either reduce the noise exposure, limit the length of exposure through various controls, or require proper personal protective equipment be worn at all times. Failure to act in this manner can lead to significant hearing problems for your staff and hefty penalties for you.

But your responsibility as the employer does not end there. OSHA requires that you properly monitor any high noise areas, regularly checking to make sure that your safety measures are adequately protecting your employees from harm, and that all affected employees are enrolled in your hearing conservation program. You must also routinely test your monitoring equipment to make sure it is acting effectively. Additionally, you must offer audiometric testing to all employees who work in the affected areas, to ensure that the methods in place are properly protecting your employees. They are required to be tested at least annually, and any significant threshold shifts must be reported and followed up on, to ensure employee safety.

If you have not had your company properly evaluated recently, it might be a good idea to consider bringing in professionals to ensure that your work space is up to code, and that your employees are safe from excessive noise exposure. Also make sure you properly sign any high noise areas, to both notify employees who are not usually working in this area, and to remind employees who do, to wear their protective equipment. Please leave a comment or contact us if you have any questions about this standard.