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Publication: February 2007. For information about changes, please see the Revision History.

Chapter 18: Hearing Conservation

Overview (1)

This chapter establishes requirements for reducing noise and protecting SLAC personnel who may be exposed to excessive noise levels. These requirements are based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Hearing Conservation Program described in the Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR 1910.95 and 29 CFR 1926.52) and the threshold limit values (TLV) established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) (see Section 4, “Definitions”).

The hearing conservation program involves

• Identification of exposed personnel (area and personal monitoring)
• Implementation of noise-reducing engineering and administrative controls
• Audiometric testing (baseline and annual)
• Training
• Use of hearing protectors (earplugs, ear muffs)

Hazards/Impacts (1.1)

Exposure to excessive noise in the workplace may cause permanent or temporary hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), impaired verbal communication, fatigue, work errors, and various stress reactions such as an increase in blood pressure. Noise may also cause annoyance or difficulty in communicating or working effectively and safely. The potential for harmful effects increases with both the intensity and the duration of the noise exposure. Excessive noise in the workplace may be produced by equipment such as motors, air hammers, generators, heavy machinery, and other common industrial processes. Nuisance noises are not usually intense enough to cause hearing loss, but they can interfere with verbal communication. The hearing conservation program at SLAC is designed to protect personnel from hearing loss caused by occupational exposure to excessive noise.

Scope (2)

This chapter covers all industrial operations and workplaces at SLAC. Employees, university collaborators, users, scientists, fellows, students, and faculty are included in noise surveys and audiometric testing as needed to ensure a safe work environment.

This chapter applies to SLAC workers (as described above) who may be exposed to excessive noise levels in both construction and non-construction activities.

SLAC casual visitors and other types of subcontractors are excluded from the requirements of this chapter. Subcontracting companies are expected to follow their own hearing conservation program in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.95 and 29 CFR 1926.52 (Section 3, “Standards”)

Exemptions (2.1)

There are no exemptions to the requirements of this chapter.

Implementation (8)

The requirements of this chapter will be implemented according to the schedule in Hearing Conservation: Implementation Plan [pdf].

continue to Standards (3)