​Occupational Noise Exposure​


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ANNUAL AUDIOGRAMS 

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​Studies have shown that an effective hearing conservation program can not only prevent hearing loss but improve employee morale, a general feeling of well-being, increase productivity, and reduce the incidence of stress-related illness or disease. 

UW-Stevens Point practices hearing conservation and has a program in place to protect employees hearing while at work.  This program includes noise exposure testing and hazards analysis, annual audiograms, training, implementation of engineering or administrative controls, and if applicable the use of hearing protection.  

UWSP will strive to provide higher-level engineering and/or administrative controls to minimize noise exposure to employees and the use of PPE.

If your job requires you to be exposed to noise levels of > 85 Db throughout the day, consult with your supervisor immediately on getting tested and complying with safe hearing and work practices.​​

UWSP Hearing Conservation Program​

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Additional Resources:

​Noise Level Monitoring

Noise measurements and testing are available on campus for all continuous, intermittent, and impulsive sound levels from 80 decibels to 130 decibels. The employees are permitted to observe noise measurement. 

After the measurement is taken, an 8-hour Time Weighted Average is determined for a particular task.  These results are provided to the affected employee and his/her supervisor.

If you are concerned with the amount of noise in your daily work task, contact your supervisor or EHS to schedule a noise level test.

​Engineering and Administrative Controls

​Noise monitoring or measuring must be conducted only when exposures are at or above 85 dB. Factors that suggest that noise exposures in the workplace may be at this level include;
  • Employee complaints about the loudness of noise,
  • Indications that employees are losing their hearing,
  • Noisy conditions which make normal conversation difficult;
  • Specific machines that emit noise.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a safe level of noise exposure to be 90 decibels for an eight-hour period. Allowable exposure levels for shorter periods of time are as follows:
  • 90 dB for 8 hours 
  • 92 dB for 6 hours              
  • 95 dB for 4 hours               
  • 97 dB for 3 hours              
  • 100 dB for 2 hours
  • 102 dB for 90 minutes
  • 105 dB for 60 minutes
  • 110 dB for 30 minutes
  • 115 dB for 15 minutes or less
When employees are subjected to sound exceeding those levels listed above, feasible administrative or engineering controls (such as isolation of noisy machinery) shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the required levels, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels.

Engineering controls require physical changes to the workplace such as redesigning equipment to eliminate noise sources and constructing barriers that prevent noise from reaching a worker. If engineering controls are not feasible then administrative controls, such as scheduling that will minimize exposure, providing quiet and convenient lunch and break areas shall be utilized.

Hearing Protection Devices (PPE)

​Hearing protection devices are provided to all employees who are exposed above 85 dB or that show signs of a threshold shift at no cost to the employees. 

Employees are allowed to choose from a variety of hearing protection devices and are trained in their use. Attenuation (amount of noise reduction) provided by the protective equipment is at least enough to lower noise exposures to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or below.

Supervisors are to ensure that hearing protectors are worn and also care of all hearing protectors provided to employees. Additionally, supervisors are to ensure proper initial fitting and control the correct use of all hearing protectors.


Click here to learn more from the CDC about what hearing protection option is best for you.  You can also contact EHS for assistance.

Audiometric Evaluation


Employees exposed to 85 dB or greater during an 8-hour time-weighted average shall be included in an annual audiometry program with no cost to employees. 

The purpose of the program is to monitor employee hearing and to look for signs of hearing loss. Within 6 months of employment in an area with a noise level of 85 dB or greater, the employee shall receive a baseline audiogram performed by or under the supervision of a certified audiologist otolaryngologist, or other physicians, or by a technician who is certified by the Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation. 

Testing to establish a baseline audiogram shall be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. Hearing protectors may be used to provide this requirement. Audiograms shall be performed at least annually basis thereafter.

EVALUATION OF AUDIOMETRIC RESULTS FOR HEARING LOSS

Test results shall be reviewed by audiology staff for the presence of a standard threshold shift (an indication of hearing loss). 

An employee shall be informed of such findings in writing within 21 days of the test evaluation. Audiology staff shall discuss the results with the employee and if deemed appropriate by the audiologist, the employee may be referred for further medical attention. Upon evidence of a threshold shift, the employee shall be fitted or re-fitted for hearing protection devices and trained/re-trained in their use. 

The employee's supervisor must assure that protective equipment is used properly and when needed.

Training

Any employee exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels must receive hearing conservation training that covers;
  • The effects of noise,
  • The purpose of personal protective equipment,
    • advantages,
    • disadvantages,
    • attenuation of various types,
    • instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care.
  • The purpose of audiometric testing and explanation of the test procedures.
Training shall be repeated on an annual basis. If you have not received your annual training, please contact your supervisor immediately.

Record Keeping

An accurate record of all UW-Stevens Point employee exposure measurements shall be maintained. Accordingly, noise exposure measurement records shall be retained for two years and audiometric test records shall be retained for the duration of the affected employee's employment.​ We encourage the employee to keep records as well.