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HEARING CONSERVATION PLAN

SECTION TWO : RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety

2. The University of Pennsylvania Medical Center's Occupational Medicine & Health Service

3. Supervisors

4. Employees



1. The Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety

The Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering the University of Pennsylvania Hearing Conservation Program.

Additional responsibilities include:

  • Identification of work areas and equipment within University of Pennsylvania facilities where noise levels equal or exceed 85 dBA;
  • Identification, through personnel monitoring, of University of Pennsylvania employees whose noise exposure level equals or exceeds an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA. Notification of employee exposure measurements is sent to the employee, the employee's supervisor and to HUP's Occupational Medicine and Health Service (OMHS) for inclusion in annual audiology program.
  • Noise surveys and/or noise dosimetry must be conducted to determine which areas require warning signs;
  • Training of employees in the need for, proper use and care of hearing protection devices. The training must include the following topics:
    • Noise induced hearing loss;
    • Recognizing hazardous noise;
    • Symptoms of overexposure to noise;
    • Hearing protection devices (HPD's)- advantages & limitations;
    • Selection, fitting, use and maintenance of HPD's;
    • Explanation of noise measurement procedures;
    • Hearing conservation program requirements.
  • Identification of noise control measures (including engineering and administrative controls) and recommendations;



2. The University of Pennsylvania Medical Center's Occupational Medicine and Health Service

The University of Pennsylvania Medical Center's Occupational Medicine & Health Service (OMHS) is responsible for conducting baseline and annual audiograms for new employees who may be assigned to tasks with potential exposure to elevated levels of noise. OMHS also schedules and conducts audiograms on an annual basis for employees exposed to sound levels greater than or equal to 85 dBA. OMHS is responsible for notifying EHRS of all employees who have experienced significant changes in hearing (standard threshold shifts) in order that follow-up investigations may be conducted. The affected employee and his or her supervisor will also be notified. Sharon Rainer, occupational nurse practitioner (pager 215-865-7180) sets up appointments and performs the audiogram in accordance with OSHA's noise requirements 29 CFR 1910.95.


3. Supervisors

It is the responsibility of Supervisors to ensure that all of their employees exposed to noise levels equal to or greater than 85 dBA have access to appropriate hearing protective devices in the work area and enroll those employee(s) in the HCP if identified as having an 8-hour TWA equal to or exceeding 85 dBA. Supervisors are responsible for enforcing the use of hearing protective devices and engineering and administrative controls in designated noise hazardous areas and dispensing ear muffs when necessary as well as maintaining a supply of disposable ear plugs.

The supervisor must ensure that the following are maintained:

  • Signs posted at the entrance to any work area where noise levels equal or exceed 85 dBA;
  • Supply hearing protection to his/her employee(s) at no cost to the employee(s);
  • Enforcement of the wearing of hearing protection in the designated areas using established disciplinary procedures;
  • Hearing Protection Devices (HPD) are used and maintained as originally intended and in accordance with instructions provided.

The supervisor is also responsible for coordinating and scheduling HCP training for all University of Pennsylvania personnel who participate in the HCP with EHRS.




4. Employees

Employees are responsible for wearing and maintaining hearing protective devices as instructed. Employees enrolled in the University's Hearing Conservation Program must also participate in annual training programs and the medical surveillance program, which includes baseline and annual audiometric testing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:

I. POLICY
II. RESPONSIBILITIES
III. NOISE EVALUATION AND SURVEILLANCE PROCEDURES
IV. NOISE CONTROL METHODS
V. MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE
VI. TRAINING
VII. RECORDKEEPING
  APPENDICES


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