OSHA requires employers to implement a hearing conservation program when noise exposure is at or above 85 dBA averaged over 8 working hours.
A hearing conservation program consists of several elements, such as noise monitoring, engineering and administrative controls, hearing protection devices (HPDs), audiometric testing, employee training, and recordkeeping.
The goal of a hearing conservation program is to prevent initial occupational hearing loss, preserve and protect remaining hearing, and equip workers with the knowledge and HPDs necessary to safeguard themselves.
Some examples of engineering and administrative controls to reduce noise exposure are:
- Using quieter machines and tools
- Isolating the noise source from workers
- Enclosing or shielding noisy equipment
- Installing sound-absorbing materials
- Limiting the duration and intensity of noise exposure
- Scheduling noisy tasks during less populated shifts
- Rotating workers among less noisy tasks