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Hearing
Conservation Program
| Purpose and Requirements | Noise
Surveys | Hearing Testing | Training
| VEHS Services | Hearing
Protection Resource Links | Questions |
Purpose and Requirements
The primary objective of the Vanderbilt Hearing Conservation Program
(HCP) is to prevent permanent noise-induced hearing loss resulting
from on-the-job noise exposure. The regulatory requirement set forth
by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the
Tennessee Occupational Safety & Health Association (TOSHA)
requires employers to provide employees with proper protection
against the effects of noise exposure when sound levels exceed an
8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 90 dBA. If documented levels
exceed 85 dBA for an 8-hour TWA, then a hearing conservation program
must be provided at no cost to the employees. The protective
measures provided to the employees may be provided either through a
combination of engineering and/or administrative controls. These
control methods should be exhausted prior to permanent use of
personal protective equipment.
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Noise Surveys
VEHS will provide noise surveys as needed through job hazard
surveys, requests from the Occupational Health Clinic and
departments. If employees or supervisors suspect that anyone may be
exposed to high noise levels, they are obligated to contact VEHS and
request noise monitoring. An indicator that noise levels may be too
high is that employees have to raise their voices during personal
conversation. Supervisors are responsible for requesting additional
noise monitoring when any changes occur in production, process,
equipment or controls which might increase employee exposure to
increased noise levels.
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Hearing Testing
The Occupational Health Clinic will conduct annual audiometric
(hearing) testing and maintain records of the test results for
employees identified by VEHS as needing to be included in a Hearing
Conservation Program.
Training
Hearing Conservation training is provided by VEHS and through the
Occupational Health Clinic.
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VEHS Services
- Noise surveys
- Training
- Recommendations for Personal protective equipment
- Provides advice and assistance on location and placement of
warning signs, where necessary.
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Hearing Protection Resource Links
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Questions
For more information regarding the Hearing Conservation Program,
please contact Mark Bogard (mark.j.bogard@vanderbilt.edu) for
noise evaluation requests. Please contact the Occupational
Health Clinic for medical related information.
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