Page 16 - Occupational Health & Safety, September 2017

HEARING PROTECTION
in protection and productivity can outweigh the financial risk. When you invest in the right equipment, even at a higher initial cost, the savings in productivity, increased safety, and efficiency can
far outweigh the costs.
Check
Workers who are exposed to hazardous noise, even if they are us- ing hearing protection, must be routinely checked to make sure they are not losing hearing due to noise in the workplace. OSHA requires a baseline audiometric (hearing) test followed by annual checks. Changes in hearing are tracked over time. Employers are required to investigate and follow up hearing changes of a specified degree.
Train
Once employees are tested and provided adequate hearing pro- tection, training is a necessary next step. Training and practice are necessary to identify when hearing protectors are needed and how to choose and use hearing protection effectively. Offer one-on-one and peer-to-peer training to address an employee’s specific needs. Multiple online training and resources are available.
While this article primarily focuses on workplace hearing pro- tection, we commend safety managers who are also taking the ex- tra step to educate workers about protecting their hearing off the clock by offering workers take-home hearing protection. After all, noise is noise, whether it comes from a loud workplace or not. Re- mind workers to continue using hearing protection when doing such noisy activities as lawn mowing, leaf blowing, or using a shop vac. Suggest common sense when listening to favorite music: keep the volume at an enjoyable but safe level.
Some organizations are forward thinking and provide hearing protection education in nearby schools. By teaching today’s youth about ways to recognize hazardous workers, they are providing positive actions to prevent hearing loss for tomorrow’s workers.
For further inspiration, visit NIOSH’s Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards2 website. There you will find case studies outlining innovative ways workplaces in myriad indus- tries have addressed protecting hearing.
Record
Protect your company and your employees in the long run by keeping accurate and up-to-date records of all aspects of the hear- ing conservation program. Good records can help program man- agers make good decisions about how to run an HCP effectively and make sure they are meeting regulatory requirements.
Evaluate
Ensure your HCP is working by conducting ongoing evalua- tions that incorporate employee feedback, responsibility reviews, and cost analysis. Taking this step will not only identify trends and amplify problem areas, but also drive improvement.
A New Online Resource
The 3M Center for Hearing Conservation3 is a new online resource introduced by the 3M Personal Safety Division. Safety managers can find articles, details about the seven elements of a hearing loss prevention program, videos, toolkits, fast facts, and more on hear- ing protection. 3M audiologists contributed to the content of the 3M Center for Hearing Conservation; resources on this site can not only help you understand the legal requirements for running an effective hearing conservation program, but also can offer ideas to help you enhance your program and provide ideas to help engage and motivate workers.
Laurie Wells, Au.D., is an audiologist and Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist at the 3M Personal Safety Division. Ted Madison is an audiologist and Technical Service Specialist there.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/noisehearingconservation/index.html 2. http://www.safeinsound.us/
3. http://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/safety-centers-of-expertise-us/center-for- hearing-conser vation/
16 Occupational Health & Safety | SEPTEMBER 2017
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