Pacific Process Systems, Inc. | 25 : | Hearing Conservation Policy Table of Contents Regulatory References Company Poly. Definitions. : fi Nowe Level Surveys. iil, Hearing Conservation Participants. IV. Hearing Protection Ve Tr@iNIAg VI. Medical Evaluations... Mi, Standard Twreshols Shit (STS VI Recordabitt IX. Recordkeepin: Ro woanmnnn 2.5 Heating Conservation Policy Page 1 of S Rev. 1 March 2003Pacific Process Systems, Inc. Section: 2.5 _Titie Hearing Conservation Policy Regulatory References 29 CFR 1910.95 CCR Title 8 Section 5097 Company Policy Pacific Process Systems, Inc. is committed to reduce the exposure to noise, so far as is reasonably Practicable, of employees and contractors at its facilities and work sites. Exposure to high noise levels Can result in substantial, imeparable hearing impairment to those expose. This policy makes every effort to establish procedures to ensure employee and contractor safety when working in potentially harmful noise areas. Definitions A. dBA (decibel on “A" weighted scale) - Standard unit of sound pressure measurement. B. TWA (Time Weighted Average) - Exposure averaged out over a certain period, usually 8 hours. ©. Standard Threshold Shifts (STS) - A hearing threshold exceeding 25 dBA at any of the test frequencies of 500, 1000, 3000, 4000, or 6000 H, in either ear, N. Noise Level Surveys A Noise level surveys shall be conducted by qualified personnel at all work locations where ‘employees may be exposed to noise in excess of the required action level of 85 dBA, ‘Surveys shall be conducted as needed or within 60 days when warranted by significant Process, work procedure, or engineering control changes which affect the workers’ noise exposure. Any area with noise leveis greater than 85 dBA shall be designated a noise hazard area and posted with signs requiring Hearing Protection. ‘No person shall enter without wearing suitable personnel hearing protection, capable of ‘reducing exposure to a level below 85 dBA. Affected employees or their representatives shall be given the opportunity to witness any noise survey conducted in their work area If they wish to do so, MM. Hearing Conservation Participants ‘A. Any employee with @ TWA equal to or greater than 85 dBA shall be notified and enrolled in the Hearing Conservation Program. 8. _All employees included in the Hearing Conservation Program are required to have their hearing tested on an annual basis, 2.5 Hearing Conservation Policy Page 2 0f 5 Rev. 1 March 2003Section: Pacific Process Systems, Inc. 2.5 Hearing Conservation Policy ‘Within six months of employees’ first exposure at or above an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA, a baseline audiogram shall be established against which subsequent audiograms can be compared, ‘Audiometric testing will be conducted only by Company-approved clinics, physicians or mobile vans. Hearing Protection A Hearing protection shall be provided at no charge to all employees included in the Hearing Conservation Program. Employees shall be given a choice of several types of hearing protection. B. ‘Supervisor shall ensure hearing protection is worn by all personnel when working: 1. Im posted areas (entrance to a periphery of areas greater than or equal to 85 2. tn eter noise exposure area as rete ©. Hearing protection must attenuate exposure to a TWA less than 85 dBA. Training ‘A. Allemployees who are included in the Hearing Conservation Program shall be trained on an annual basis, Subjects covered include: 1. Effects of noise on hearing, 2. Purpose of hearing protectors, advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, Instructions on selection, fitting, use and care; and Purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of testing procedures. Medical Evaluations A. A Licensed Health Care Provider (audiologist, otolaryngologist or physician) will conduct. and review all audiometric tests and results, A letter informing employees of their hearing test results will be sent only if the employee. 's in the Hearing Conservation Program and the resulls are abnormal; ie., persistent ‘Standard Threshold Shift Vil. Standard Threshold Shift (STS) A. Pacific Process Systems management will ensure that any employee, Identified as experiencing an STS, is informed by sealed letter within two weeks of receipt of the summary report from the Licensed Health Care Provider. B. Supervisors shall ensure that employees experiencing a STS wear approved hearing protection when exposed to noise greater than or equal to 85 dBA. 2.5 Hearing Conservation Policy Page 3 of $ Rev, L ‘March 2003,“Pacific Process Systems, inc. 2.5 Hearing Conservation Policy ©, Each employee's annual audiogram shall be compared to that employee's baseline audiogram to determine if the audiogram is valid and if a standard threshold shift has ‘occurred. This comparison may be done by a technician If the annual audiogram shows that an employee has suffered a standard threshold shift, the employer may obtain a retest within 30 days and consider the results of the retest as the annual audiogram. Upon receiving notification that a STS has been experienced, the employee's Supervisor will communicate the Importance of wearing hearing protection at all times when the Noise exposure is greater than or equal to 85 dBA. Vill Recordability A Basic recording criterion: Employers must record work-related “Standard Threshold Shift”, or STS (an average change of 10 dB at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear, ‘compared to baseline; age-adjustments allowed) provided that the employee's average hearing level at the same frequencies in the same ear is 25 dB HL or greater (an average hearing level of 25 dB or more, regardless of employee's age, Le., no age adjustment allowed). Baseline/reference audiogram: To determine whether a STS has occurred, the employer ‘must compare the current hearing test results to the employee's baseline audiogram. The baseline audiogram is the employee's original audiogram or revised audiogram as defined under OSHA's noise standard 29 CFR 1910.95, Reconfirmation of STS: If the annual audiogram shows a STS, a hearing retest may be performed within 30 days. If the retest does not confirm the STS, then the case need not be recorded. However, ifthe retest confirms the STS, then the STS if work-related, must be recorded within 7 calendar days of retest. If a retest is not performed, then the case (again, if work-related) must be recorded within 37 days of test. Results of subsequent testing: If later testing performed as part of the hearing ‘conservation program indicates that the STS is not persistent, then the employer may erase or line-out the recorded entry. Determination of work-relatedness: Work-relatedness must be determined according to Specifications of section 1904.5 of the general recordkeeping rule. If an event/exposure in the workplace caused or contributed to the shift in hearing or “significantly aggravated” a previously existing hearing loss, then the STS is recordable. Forms: OSHA has also updated its recordkeeping forms (now OSHA Form 300, 301 and 300A). Beginning January 1, 2004, employers will be required to record hearing loss cases In a separate column. In 2003, employers should record cases of occupational hearing loss as an “injury* (single event acoustic trauma) or ‘other illness" (Jong term Noise exposure), as appropriate. State plans: Although state-run OSHA plans were allowed to continue utilizing more stringent enforcement criteria during 2002, all are required to adopt the final federal rule ‘for hearing loss recordabilty, effective January 1, 2003. 2.5 Hearing Conservation Policy Page 4 of S Rev. 1 March 2003Pacific Process Systems, Inc. Section: 25 i : Title: Hearing Conservation Policy _ i: H. Applicable industries: Certain industries are not covered under the general hearing 1 conservation amendment 1910.95 (construction, agriculture, oil and gas drilling, etc.), but are included under 1904, If such employers choose to conduct audiometric testing programs, then the hearing loss recordability provisions of 1904.10 will apply, ‘The HSEQC Manager shall be informed in writing of the results of all STS Investigations, IX. Recordkeeping A. Pacific Process Systems shall maintain accurate records of all employee exposure measurements, B. Pacific Process Systems shall retain all employee audiometric test records to include: i Name and job classification of employee, 2 Date of audiogram, 3. Examiner's name, 4 Date of last acoustic or exhaustive calibration of the audiometer, 5. Employee's most recent noise exposure assessment, ©. Measurements of the background sound pressure levels in the audiometric test rooms ©. Pacific Process Systems shall retain employee records for atleast the following: 1. Noise exposure measurement shaill be retained for two years 2. Audiometric test records shall be retained for the duration of the affected employee's employment. 2.5 Hearing Conservation Policy Page $ of Rev. 1 ‘Match 2003