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Requirements:
Roles and Responsibilities (5.1.7)

Hearing Conservation Program Manager

The hearing conservation program manager will

• Conduct noise surveys and identify designated noise areas
• Recommend designated noise area warning signs where appropriate
• Measure and evaluate noise hazards when requested by managers or personnel
• Notify supervisors and personnel of noise survey or dosimetry results
• Recommend protective measures to minimize exposure of personnel to hazardous noise levels
• Assist in the selection of signage to identify visually designated noise areas
• Review plans for new operations and significant changes to ongoing operations as needed to control noise levels
• Properly maintain noise level meters, dosimeters, and calibration equipment
• Maintain noise level survey records, personal notification memos, and equipment calibration logs
• Oversee subcontractor activities as they relate to hearing conservation

Medical Department

The Medical Department will

• Administer baseline and annual audiometric tests to personnel who work in posted designated noise areas as identified by the hearing conservation program manager (baseline to be completed before they start work in that area)
  All audiometric testing and evaluation must be conducted in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.95 (g) and (h).
• Maintain records of audiometric tests of all personnel for the duration of the person's employment
• Notify personnel when they are overdue for an audiometric test
• Contact personnel and scheduling audiometric tests when they are late in reporting for their required audiometric test
• Evaluate the results of the audiometric test and providing them, in writing directly to personnel tested and their supervisors
• Supply and fit custom-molded earplugs for personnel who, for medical reasons, cannot use standard, disposable earplugs or earmuffs
• Refer the person for a clinical audiological evaluation or an otological exam by a specializing physician within 30 days of the detection of a standard threshold shift or other abnormal audiometric test result
• Ensure that audiometric equipment is stored, checked and calibrated according to Section 5.1.3, “Equipment” of this chapter

Managers and Supervisors

Managers and supervisors will

• Ensure the hearing conservation program manager has evaluated their work areas as required to identify designated noise areas
• Contact the hearing conservation program manager when there is any change in production, process, or equipment that may increase noise levels
• Ensure that designated noise areas are clearly posted with warning signs
• Ensure that personnel wear hearing protection properly when working in designated noise areas
• Notify the Medical Department when new personnel are hired for jobs in designated noise areas, or when personnel are transferred into designated noise areas
• Ensure that personnel who work in designated noise areas are enrolled in and successfully complete ES&H Course 222, Hearing Conservation, and ES&H Course 222ME, Hearing Conservation Medical Exam, and annually thereafter
• Forward area noise survey reports to affected personnel

Personnel

Personnel who work in designated noise areas will

• Notify their manager or supervisor if they suspect that a noise level is hazardous
• Properly utilize hearing protectors in designated noise areas and during activities that generate high noise levels
• Properly store hearing protectors
• Successfully complete ES&H Course 222, Hearing Conservation and ES&H Course 222ME, Hearing Conservation Medical Exam
• Obtain a follow-up audiometric evaluation or otological exam if recommended by the SLAC Medical Department

continue to Procedures and Specific Requirements (5.2)