Hearing Conservation Program Flashcards
What is the Commanding Officer’s responsibilities in regards to HCP?
Establish an effective Hearing Conservation Program (HCP)
within the command
What is the Safety Officer’s responsibilities in regards to HCP?
- Liaison to the Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Audiologist
- Maintain records
- Ensure the program is evaluated at least annually
Industrial Hygiene Officer
Annually certify audio test booths
What is the Division Officer’s responsibilities in regards to HCP?
- Training
- Labeling of spaces/equipment
- send personnel for audiograms
What info is reported to the Safety Officer, on all permanent threshold shifts toward deteriorated hearing?
- Name
- Rate/Rank
- Work Center
- Time onboard
What are the responsibilities of the SMDR in regards to HCP?
- Consults the command IH survey to determine the type of hearing protective devices to be used
- Performs fit testing
- Maintains current roster of personnel on HCP
- Schedules personnel for audiograms
- Report to Safety Officer, all permanent threshold shifts toward deteriorated hearing
When does the SMDR conduct training for all hands?
- Initial during INDOC
- Annually thereafter
What are all hands responsible for in regards to HCP?
- Comply with noise hazard labels
- Wear hearing protection as required
- Undergo annual/ follow-up audiograms if enrolled in the HCP
What HCP topics are covered during INDOC?
- Effects of hazardous noise
- Designated noise hazardous areas and equipment
- Proper use and maintenance of HPDs
- The necessity for hearing test
- Mandatory requirement to wear assigned hearing protection
- Off-duty hearing health hazards
- Effects of hearing loss on career longevity
- Communication in high-noise environments
What are the requirements for HCP?
- Noise Measurement and Exposure Assessment
- Labeling of noise hazardous areas and equipment
NAVMED 6260/2
Hazardous Noise warning decal
8 x 10
Bigger decal
Where are hazard signs posted?
Outside doors/hatches leading into a hazardous noise area
If a door/hatch leads to the weather deck then where is the hazard sign posted?
On the inside of the door/hatch leading outside
NAVMED 6260/2A
Hazardous Noise Label
2 x 2
Smaller Decal for equipment/tools
When is no HPD required?
84 or less dBP
When is single HPD required?
85-95 dBP
When is double HPD required?
96 or greater dBP
Personal Hearing Protective Devices
Shall be worn at all times, without consideration of the duration of exposure
What is Noise Abatement?
Reduction of noise at the source
When are hearing tests for medical Surveillance conducted?
- Reference
- Monitoring
- Termination
DD 2215
Reference Audiogram
DD 2216
Hearing Conservation Data
Who takes noise measurements to measure levels of noise at different sites?
Industrial Hygienist and or Occupational Audiologist
How long should records of noise measurements be kept by the measuring activity?
50 years
What code is assigned to all potentially hazardous noise areas and operations?
Risk Assessment Code (RAC)
How many days after should IH’s resurvey after any significant modifications or changes in work routine which could impact the noise exposure level?
30 days
Baseline audiograms are done when?
Bootcamp or entering into the naval service
HCP personnel are required to have a hearing exam…
ANNUALLY
What does STS stand for?
Significant Threshold Shift
What is considered an STS?
A change in threshold compared to the current reference audiogram
of 10dB or more at 2k, 3k, or 4,000 Hz in either ear
What does a Positive STS mean?
Worse hearing
What does a Negative STS mean?
Better hearing
What do you do if the STS is negative?
Could mean either the reference/monitoring audiogram may be in error
Retest the same day
If retest showed no STS, what do you do?
Assume the monitoring audiogram was in error
If retest still showed improved hearing, what do you do?
Assume that the reference audiogram was in error
Establish the retest as the new reference audiogram
If STS is positive what do you do?
Retest after 14 hours noise free
Notify supervisor (so they can rest)
If retest does not indicate STS when do they get another audiogram?
Return to annual monitoring
If first retest showed STS and if frequencies below 3000 Hz are involved
Screen for any medical issues
Record findings on SF600
If findings are abnormal upon ear exam what do you do?
further evaluation f/u until medically cleared
If findings are normal upon ear exam what do you do?
Perform 2nd retest
If STS is positive can a 2nd retest be administered on the same day as the first retest?
Yes
What if 2nd retest showed STS?
- Hearing protection is evaluated
- Results are forwarded to audiologist
- 2nd retest are used as re-established reference audiogram
- Supervisor notified
The Safety Officers maintains records of:
- Noise hazardous areas
- Noise hazardous equipment
- Baseline and subsequent IH surveys
Supervisors must be notified in writing within how many days of positive STS?
21 days
What happens if a Permanent Threshold Shift (PTS) towards poorer hearing is identified?
- Reported to the OSH office for entry on OPNAV 5102/7 (Log of Navy Injuries and Occupational Illnesses)
- Worker is notified within 21 days
(signature on DD 2216 will suffice as appropriate notice)
Workers must be notified within how many days of positive STS?
21 days
(signature on DD 2216 will suffice as appropriate notice)
Noise Free Audiogram is also called what?
Auditory Rest
What is the purpose of the auditory rest?
To allow sufficient time for temporary STS to return to pre-exposure levels
How long is auditory rest?
14 hours
What are Noise Abatement Strategies?
- Engineering Controls
- Administrative Controls
- Substitution
- PPE
What are Engineering Controls?
Primary means of protection
- Noise barriers
- Engineering design to eliminate/reduce noise level
What are Administrative Controls?
Secondary
Limit times of exposure/ enforce safe stay time
What is Substitution?
Switch out for less noisy equipment
What is PPE?
Hearing protective devices
What are the 2 types of Hearing Protective Devices?
Ear plus & Muffs
What are the 4 types of ear plugs?
- Single flange
- Double flange
- Triple Flange
- Disposable
What are the 2 types of muffs?
- Straightaway Muffs
- Circumaural Muffs
Training Requirements for personnel in the HCP:
- Must receive training PRIOR to working in noise hazardous areas
- Must receive annual training thereafter
Non-disposable hearing protectors require what?
- sizing and fitting
- must be conducted by medically trained personnel
