Creating an OSHA Hearing Conservation Program? Check Out These Tips
Many companies may not have a formal hearing conservation program, or their program is almost an identical copy of the OSHA 1910.95 regulation.
But many EHS professionals have told us that doesn’t deliver the outcomes they need. The OSHA regulation tells you what you need to do & where you need to go, but not how to get there. That’s why putting the program in hearing conservation program is so important.
1. The twofold goal of a hearing conservation program
Minimize occupational hearing loss
The main goal of a hearing conservation program is to prevent occupational hearing loss for noise exposed employees. But this isn’t as simple as it sounds. There are several ways to address noise in the workplace, and the best solution can vary by company.
For example, a company with a large safety or environmental budget would be more likely to invest in eliminating or reducing the noise, while a company with a smaller budget may only be able to pay for hearing protection for the employees who are exposed to noise.
However employers choose to address hearing conservation, the end goal is the same: preserve employee’s hearing.
Prevent false hearing loss worker's comp claims
The less discussed goal of a hearing conservation program is to be able to avoid liability for false hearing loss claims. An effective program should be able to prove that employees were not exposed to dangerous noise long enough to cause damage.
This could include documentation of noise measurements, personal Time-Weighted Averages for the employees, and even hearing protection fit testing results to show that the HPDs were compliant & effective.
For example, if an employee files a claim for hearing loss that is likely not work-related, the company should be able to find documentation that the employee did not work in dangerous noise levels, and that hearing testing was made available to all employees that did work in dangerous noise levels.
2. Achieving OSHA compliance and more with an effective hearing conservation program
An effective hearing conservation can even take your company safety policies beyond compliance. This could include custom hearing protection, hearing protection fit testing, and even hearing testing as a company benefit, not just a requirement.
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Bringing all things hearing conservation together with Anadyne
At Anadyne, we’re here to help you create a true program with a goal and related activities. Instead of having hearing testing records in one place and sound measurements scattered throughout the plant (if they exist at all), we can help develop a cohesive & effective hearing conservation program.
