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Improving Noise Monitoring and Your Hearing Conservation Program From earplugs to personal headphones, it’s time to discuss the future of hearing protection in the workplace. BY TOM BURGESS PPE: HEARING PROTECTION Don’t underestimate the con- stant hum of equipment at your manufacturing facility or con- struction site — it’s more than just annoying; it’s also a serious safety haz- ard. Meeting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) stan- dard of 85 decibels is only the beginning for employers. The nuances of workplace noise monitoring and hearing protection extend far beyond a simple numerical threshold, bringing forth challenges like fluctuating noise levels, identifying the ap- propriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and ultimately ensuring long-term worker protection. At the heart of effective workplace noise management lies a deep comprehen- sion of the dynamics of noise exposure, including understanding its cumulative nature. When assessing noise exposure, it’s important to remember that exposure limits are based on a time weighted aver- age. Noise exposure is often not steady and can vary throughout the day and throughout the worksite. A worker might be exposed to loud noises in the morn- ing but not in the afternoon, for example, emphasizing the need to assess day-long exposure. Effectively mitigating noise-induced hearing loss begins with an accurate ex- posure assessment at the worksite. But a single decibel reading, captured at a singu- lar moment, offers an incomplete picture. Data can be an unsteady foundation when decibels are involved. A standard type 2 sound level meter has an error range of +/- 2 decibels. So, an 84-decibel reading, be- low the OSHA hearing conservation limit, is potentially representative of a range be- tween 82 and 86 decibels. While seeming- ly compliant with OSHA standards, such uncertainty is unacceptable for protecting the long-term health of workers. While industrial sites and construction zones are commonly associated with high noise levels, the hard truth is that danger lurks in unsuspected corners. Mainte- nance teams with intermittent exposure to noisy pumps or compressors, custo- dians using powered equipment, or even seemingly innocuous settings like bustling kitchens, can all contribute to cumulative auditory damage. Some of these settings can be even more risky because workers and managers may be less aware of the po- tential threat and therefore less inclined to pursue protective measures. Noise exposure does not solely reside in sustained decibel levels. Short bursts of intense noise, like a jackhammer’s roar or a jet engine’s scream, pack a potent punch that can overexpose workers even within a seemingly quiet workday. Furthermore, the insidious nature of hearing loss lies in its cumulative effect. Noisy evenings add to the workday’s burden, and the dam- age often manifests years later when older workers bear the brunt of past exposures. While worker protection often relies on OSHA standards, the exposure limits and measurement criteria in the OSHA Noise standard do not protect work- ers adequately. Voluntary standards, like those recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the National In- stitute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), provide a more protective framework. Noise cancellation technology is an evolving technology making inroads into personal headphones. By generating coun- tervailing waves that neutralize incoming noise, this technology actively reduces noise exposure improved listening and www.ohsonline.com FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 | Occupational Health & Safety 19