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Discover OSHA's requirements for implementing a hearing conservation program, including the important role of audiometric testing in detecting changes in workers' hearing over time. Learn about the specific requirements for administering the testing, including who can conduct it and the testing environment. Find out how often testing must be conducted and what actions employers must take if a worker experiences a significant threshold shift. Don't forget to keep accurate records of testing results for the duration of employment plus 30 years. Ensure compliance with OSHA's audiometric testing requirements and protect your workers' hearing health.
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to implement a hearing conservation program for employees who are exposed to high noise levels in the workplace. As part of this program, OSHA also requires audiometric testing to be performed on these workers.
Audiometric testing is a series of hearing tests that measures a worker's ability to hear sounds at different frequencies and volumes. The purpose of the test is to detect any changes in the worker's hearing over time, which could indicate that the worker's hearing has been damaged by exposure to high noise levels.
OSHA has specific requirements for the administration of audiometric testing. The testing must be conducted by a licensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, or other qualified professional. The testing must also be conducted in a sound booth or other environment that meets OSHA's specifications for ambient noise levels.
The testing must be conducted at least once a year for workers who are exposed to noise levels at or above the action level of 85 decibels (dBA) over an 8-hour time-weighted average. If the worker's hearing test indicates a significant threshold shift, which is defined as a change in hearing threshold of an average of 10 decibels or more at 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 hertz in either ear, then the worker must be notified and provided with follow-up testing.
Employers must keep records of audiometric testing results and make them available to the affected workers. The records must also be retained for the duration of the worker's employment plus 30 years.
In summary, OSHA requires employers to conduct annual audiometric testing for workers who are exposed to high noise levels. Employers must ensure that the testing is conducted by a qualified professional in a suitable environment and that records of the testing are kept and made available to workers.
Looking for ease in managing your hearing conservation program? Look no further, at Soundtrace we can guarantee that all our professionals are certified and have extensive knowledge and experience in conducting hearing tests. You can have an assurance that our technology passed the standards and help you at peace with your compliance.
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