Hear Today Hear Tomorrow:

Hearing Loss Prevention for Supervisors

Kelly Kasper
BuildItSmart

Does anyone here have a hearing loss or know someone who does?

SAY WHAT A B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

What you will learn today:

The Washington State Hearing Conservation Standard Requirements How to recognize loud noise levels How to reduce noise levels through engineering and administrative controls The effects of noise on hearing and productivity Hearing Protector Selection and Fitting

Hearing Loss Prevention Plan!

Washington State requires a hearing conservation plan (WAC 296-62-Part K) -Noise Level Collection -Training -Testing -HPD Selection, Fit and Use -Record keeping

Noise at work
30 million workers are exposed to harmful levels
2nd most reported occupational illness Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible but 100% preventable

How to recognize when there is too much noise on the job

Permissible Noise Exposure Limits (dBA) Duration per DOE/NIOSH WISHA day in hours
10 8 4 2 1 <85 85 88 91 94 97 100 <85 85 90 95 100 105 110

Noise Sources
Noise a worker creates Noise created from the workers trade Noise from other trades

Bu ll
120 40 80

Do z er 90 -10 3 -1 0 2 85 kH oe

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Low Level

85 dB

High Level

Pn eu
40
Low Level 85 dB High Level

120

80

Ai rG ma un tic 10 Ch 8-1 ipp 12 Ja e r1 ck 03 Ha -11 mm 3 er Sp 10 ra 2-1 yP 11 ain Co ter nc 95 re -1 0 te 5 Sa w 98 Sk -10 ill 2 Sa Ai rC w 88 om -1 0 pr 2 es so r9 Ha 0-9 nd 8 Dr ill Be 88 lt S -96 an de r9 0-9 Ha 5 mm er 85 -95

Plan for the noise

Wrong Expectations Poor Planning Lack of coordination

How to Prevent Noise

Find quieter ways Move equipment away from the work zone when possible Shield loud power equipment in the work zone Buy Quiet Turn off equipment when not in use Block itMove it.Reduce it

Find Quieter Ways

Examples: Maybe you can use a hydraulic cutter or Porta-band in place of an abrasive saw, especially when cutting metal Or, instead of punching holes in decking or sheet metal, use a drill. Consider alternative types of fasteners to powder actuated tools

Move Noisy Equipment

An air compressor does not have to be within arms length. It can be placed hundreds of feet away. All it takes is one extra length of air hose.

What could be done here?

Shield Loud Equipment

Examples: Scrap plywood and duct tape can make an effective shield to reduce noise around a power pack. Make sure it does not become a fire hazard. Build a temporary wall between the concrete pumper and the work zone.

Buy Quiet
Example: When it is time to buy new equipment or tools, ask the employer to think about what is least noisy. Develop a noise limit policy. Find ways to retrofit existing equipment to make it less noisy, such as installing mufflers. Maintain equipment

Turn it Off
Turn off power equipment when it is not in use

Reducing Noise from Other Trades

Job site meetings (Risk Chart & Weekly Action Plan Sheets) Know the noisy tasks Schedule noisy tasks for off hours Ask the employer to check noise levels of different tasks

How to Protect Your Workers When Noise Cant Be Prevented

It is too Loud When

2-3 foot rule

Hearing Protection Types: Demonstration of Fitting

Foam plugs Pre-molded plugs Custom molded plugs Banded or semi-aural Earmuffs

Noise Reduction Breakdown

High NRR 24+ Foam Plugs Mid NRR 17-24 Pre-molded plugs Earmuffs Low NRR <17 Custom molded plugs Banded or semiaural

Earmuffs

Real World Reduction

Earmuffs Subtract 25% from the manufacturer's labeled NRR Formable earplugs Subtract 50% from the manufacturer's labeled NRR All other earplugs Subtract 70% from the manufacturers labeled NRR

Hearing Protection Selection

Convenience Comfort Communication needs Hygiene Noise Reduction Hearing ability Noise Level

Care and Maintenance

Foam plugs: Use them when they look like they are new, or get new ones Earmuffs: Wipe down with a damp cloth, or remove the cushions and wash in soapy water. Cushions should be replaced if torn or cracked. Replace entire muff if headband is sprung. Custom: Replace every 3-5 years. Wash in mild soapy water. Pre-molded: Replace the earbuds if they are dirty or damaged.

Problems in getting hearing conservation into construction

Mobile work force Companies mandate hard hats & safety glasses, not as consistent about ear plugs & muffs

The ears do not bleed, can not see the injury

Lusk et al., University of Michigan; Melamed et al, Israeli study; NIOSH

Reasons workers do not use hearing protectors:

Fear of not hearing warning signals & voices (especially if hearing protection is more than needed) Uncomfortable to wear all day Benefit not readily apparent (hearing loss is gradual) More immediate hazards on job site

Noise Reduction Exercise

NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS

Caused by exposure to harmful noise levels Damages hair cells in your inner ear Temporary vs. Permanent Permanent damage is irreversible Poor hearing is a major handicap Prevention is key

Your Ear

Effects of Noise
Noise affects almost all types of work Workplace noise effects ALL construction workers Up to 50% of construction workers may have some job-related hearing loss Once hearing is gone it is lost forever Disrupts your daily life

Other Effects of Noise

Tinnitus Ringing in the ears
Non-Auditory problems - Constant State of Alert - Disturbed Sleeping Pattern - Increased blood pressure

Hearing Conservation in Washington State

WISHA requires that employers provide a hearing conservation program to employees if they are exposed to 85 dB or more for an average of 8-hours Transient workforce makes it difficult Build It Smart proposes an industry-wide hearing testing program

Hearing Testing
Type of Tests
Baseline Annual Retest

Types of Loss
Temporary Permanent

Testing Facilities
Clinical Mobile Unit

Self Tests
Radio Check same day
Radio Check day after Tinnitus can be an early indicator of hearing loss

Worker Rights
Their Records Compensation if significant hearing loss occurs To an effective Hearing Conservation Program

Need another reason

A hearing impaired person had this to say: I wish I had my hearing back, because I cant hear my grandkids. I am missing out on so much! If only I knew then, what I know now!

For More Information Contact us at: builditsmart@qwest.net www.builditsmart.org

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