FOX Environmental, Health & Safety

FOX Environmental, Health & Safety

FOX Environmental, Health & Safety > EHS 203 – Hearing Conservation

EHS 203 – Hearing Conservation

FOX Corporation requires that all workers occupationally exposed to hazardous noise levels participate in the Hearing Conservation Program established
in this Procedure.

1.0 SCOPE

This Procedure applies to all FOX Corporation (FOX) workers who may be considered FOX employees under OSHA, and have work assignments placing them in
positions where they may be exposed to hazardous noise levels produced by activities (“Affected Employees”).

2.0 Definitions

Hazardous Noise:
sound pressure levels at, or above, ninety (90) A-weighted decibels (90 dBA), as an eight (8)-hour time-weighted average (TWA), determined by a seventy
(70) dBA threshold level and a five (5) dBA doubling rate.

STS:

Standard Threshold Shift

3.0 Responsibilities

In addition to required Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Program responsibilities discussed in EHS001, EHS Policy, the responsibilities described
below are necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the procedure.

3.1 Affected Locations

In all FOX locations that have employees potentially exposed to hazardous noise, supervisors will ensure that:

  1. Affected Employees are trained in this Procedure.
  2. Records are kept showing Affected Employees have received the training in Section 3.1(1) above.
  3. The EHS Department is notified of employees who have continuing employment with FOX companies lasting more than six weeks so that those employees may
    be scheduled for audiometric testing within six months of their employment.
  4. The EHS Department is notified of its employees that have been employed by FOX for more than 400 hours within the last calendar year so that those
    employees may be scheduled for audiometric testing within six months of their most recent employment.
  5. Affected Employees are enrolled in the FOX Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) and participate in all required procedures and assessments within the
    timeframes specified in this program.

3.2 Employees

All Affected Employees covered by this policy will:

  1. Receive training in the need to wear hearing protection when exposed to hazardous noise.
  2. Utilize required hearing protection when exposed to hazardous noise.
  3. Accept or reject audiometric hearing tests when scheduled by the EHS Department.

3.3 Environmental, Health and Safety Department

The EHS Department will:

  1. Oversee the proper maintenance of medical records for current FOX employees enrolled in the FOX HCP.
  2. Coordinate with affected locations on the scheduling of medical examinations.
  3. Work with affected locations to resolve delinquent employee medical examinations.
  4. Provide copies of medical restrictions/recommendations to the Workers’ Compensation Department.
  5. Develop appropriate standards for protecting workers from hazardous noise exposures.
  6. Provide technical assistance in the identification of hazardous noise areas as requested by Department Heads to assure employees are wearing hearing
    protection as provided in this policy.
  7. Assist in obtaining the services of a Board-Certified Occupational Physician to assist FOX in the evaluation of employee audiometric evaluations.
  8. Perform a periodic review of this Procedure (at least annually) to ensure that all requirements are current and meet regulatory requirements.

4.0 Procedure

4.1 Identification of Hazardous Noise Exposures

  1. FOX will assess job assignments, and monitor applicable workplace noise levels using direct-reading instrumentation and noise dosimetry as needed to
    identify Affected Employees to be enrolled in the HCP.

b. All FOX employees meeting the criteria in Section 1.0 will be enrolled in the FOX HCP.

4.2 Hearing Protection

  1. Hearing protection is mandatory for all employees exposed to a TWA of ninety (90) dBA for eight (8) hours.
  2. Hearing protection must be made available to all employees exposed to a TWA of eighty-five (85) dBA for eight (8) hours or greater.
  3. Hearing protection is mandatory for all employees exposed to a TWA of eighty-five (85) dBA for eight (8) hours and who have experienced an STS.
  4. Hearing protection is mandatory in any area that has been posted as requiring the use of hearing protection.
  5. Hearing protection must be approved by the EHS Department, and must provide a minimum noise reduction rating (NRR) of twenty-five (25) dBA.
  6. All Affected Employees must be trained in the proper use, care, and maintenance of the protectors. This can be satisfied by employee review and
    retention of records documenting that employees have reviewed the instruction information provided by the selected equipment manufacturer.

4.3 Training

  1. New Affected Employees who have not received FOX training on noise and the need for hearing protection within the last year will receive training which
    addresses:
  • The effects of noise.

· The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages and disadvantages, and use and care.

  • The purpose and procedure of audiometer testing.
  1. Personnel enrolled in the HCP will participate in annual training on these same issues.

4.4 Audiometric Hearing Tests

Audiometric hearing examinations will be offered to all personnel participating in the HCP as an element of the employee medical monitoring program (see
EHS 204, Medical Surveillance Program).

A qualified medical provider specializing in occupational medicine will determine audiogram protocols.

The following types of examinations are offered:

Baseline Audiogram:
For each employee identified as requiring enrollment in the HCP as provided above.

Annual Audiogram:
For each employee enrolled in the HCP as part of the annual medical examination. The Medical Provider, who determines if results indicate the need for more
detailed testing, will compare results of annual tests with the baseline exam.

Termination Audiogram:
For each employee enrolled in the HCP as part of a termination medical monitoring examination.

When a STS is noted between the last valid baseline and the annual audiogram, the following steps are taken:

  1. A retest is conducted within thirty (30) days to confirm the STS. The employee cannot be exposed to excessive noise for fourteen (14) hours prior to
    the test and/or is provided with adequate hearing protection prior to testing.
  2. If the STS persists, ear protection is upgraded to one with a greater Noise Reduction Rating (NRR).

c. The employee is counseled, and FOX will obtain information regarding the employee’s possible noise exposure away from the workplace or existing ear
pathology.

  1. Qualified medical personnel will review the audiograms. This group will determine the need for a medical referral.
  2. The employee is notified in writing by the EHS Department of the STS, within twenty-one (21) days of determination.
  3. The employee’s supervisor is notified of the shift in hearing threshold.
  4. If the employee who has experienced an STS is exposed to eighty-five (85) dBA for eight (8) hours or eighty (80) dBA for twelve (12) hours, use of ear
    protection is required.

4.5 Retention Of Records

  1. Noise exposure measurement records are retained by the EHS Department for two (2) years.
  2. Employee’s audiometric examination results test records are retained for the duration of employment.
  3. Confirmations of the employee’s decision to decline testing will be retained for the duration of employment.

5.0 REFERENCES

EHS 001, EHS Policy

EHS 204, Medical Surveillance Program

6.0 ATTACHMENTS

None.