Seven Steps to an Effective Hearing Conservation Program

The ability to clearly hear discussions, sounds and alarms on a job site is something that many of us take for granted. Preventing initial hearing damage and protecting remaining hearing is critical because hearing is foundational to communication, safety and quality of life, both at work and at home.

Implementing a hearing conservation program (HCP) can ensure the protection of employee health while setting new standards for workplace safety. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found that employees display higher levels of productivity and fewer absences when an HCP is in place.

Here are the seven steps to building an effective HCP:

1. Assemble a Hearing Protection Committee

The first step to implementing your company’s hearing conservation program is assembling a hearing protection committee. Each member of the committee should have a defined role. Over time, the committee will be responsible for identifying opportunities for program improvement and maintaining communication with management and employees.

2. Assess Your Needs

Assessing the unique needs of your workplace begins by recording the decibel levels via a noise survey. The results of the survey will reveal at-risk employees and indicate inclusion criteria for the program. Additionally, the noise survey will aid in selecting proper protection devices to help reduce overall risk. Implementing regular hearing checks will allow for the detection of hearing loss and any record changes.

3. Address Current Hazards

It’s important to be aware of potential hearing safety violations at your worksite. OSHA mandates that employees who are exposed to sound levels of 85 dB and up are required to wear hearing protection, as they are at greater risk for hearing loss. These regulations can be met by selecting hearing protection equipment (such as earplugs) with approved noise reduction ratings (NRR). Controlling noise exposure is also critical. Both equipment and processes can be designed to operate at lower decibel levels, essentially limiting the noise exposure to which employees are subjected.

4. Secure Support and Engagement

An HCP should be part of your company’s overall safety culture. Educating employees on hearing loss symptoms and proper use of hearing protection strengthens the success of hearing loss prevention efforts. It’s important for everyone to understand that the effects of exposure to loud noise may emerge gradually or be discovered in later stages. As part of an occupational HCP, proper training should be required and documented by the employer. Training should address employee education, attitude and behaviors in an active learning environment. For example, training your workers on how to properly insert earplugs can be crucial in saving their residual hearing.

5. Document the Program

To successfully manage an HCP, companies should create and maintain documentation on the program. The information gathered will allow your company to develop improvement goals. Plan to document:

• Noise surveys
• Preventative actions taken
• Audiometric tests

Program evaluations - including employee feedback, responsibility reviews and cost analysis - should be completed regularly to identify problem areas and show continuous improvement.

6. Select Hearing Protection Equipment

Selecting the right hearing protection equipment, including earplugs or earmuffs, is crucial to worker safety. As an employer, you should find the right comfort, fit and protection level for your employees. Workers may not wear hearing protection devices due to a lack of availability or lack of comfort. An individual fit test and readily available supplies are vital to a successful HCP. Employees may feel more invested in the process when their personal preference is considered, leading to greater program support.

7. Boosting Compliance

Once your program is in place, the next step is maintaining compliance over time. Create a workplace that rewards safe and proper hearing protection by educating employees on the overall significance of hearing conservation. Encourage accountability by recruiting a hearing protection steward in each department. These individuals should positively reinforce safe protection practices and educate new team members.

To praise workers who follow compliance, consider offering incentives like a VIP parking spot, a vacation day or a free lunch for the department. What better way to motivate workers than to educate and reward?

Pulling it all Together

The creation of a hearing conservation program can effectively maintain and protect employees’ hearing health in hazardous noise environments. Training, proper education and regular updates are all vital factors to a successful HCP.