Document No.

AT-HSSE-P-8-44/V0-2022

QHSE Management Department

Anton Oilfield Service Group Ltd. Prepared by
of Anton Group

Issued on August 4, 2022

Hearing Protection Management Procedure Issued by Li Qinggang

Hearing Protection Management Procedure

1 Aims and objectives
This Procedure is formulated in order to protect the hearing of operators in strong noise environment,
reduce the risk of hearing damage of operators on the site and facilities of the Company, and ensure
the effective implementation of noise protection measures.

2 Scope
The Procedure is applicable to the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and the non-wholly
owned holding companies can use it as a reference. For work in the operating area of Party A, it is
necessary to consult Party A and follow the strictest standard.

3 Terms and definitions

3.1 Noise:
Sounds that cause irritability or are too loud to endanger human health.

4 Responsibility and authority

4.1 Unit leader
a) Be responsible for organizing employees to receive hearing tests during health check-ups.
b) Provide hearing protection equipment for all employees who may be exposed to high-noise
areas.
4.2 QHSE Management Department
a) Organize on-site units to conduct noise inspections regularly or as needed.
b) Be responsible for the training, explanation, guidance and supervision of the Procedure.
4.3 Leaders in relevant projects
a) Be familiar with the existing noise levels in the work area.
b) Monitor and supervise the use of hearing protection equipment in marked areas.
c) Ensure that all relevant personnel are trained in the correct use of hearing protection
equipment.
d) Notify the QHSE Management Department in time if any major change in production or any
procedure change will significantly affect the noise level.
e) Set up warning signs and keep relevant records based on noise detection results.
4.4 Staff
a) Use hearing protection equipment in areas marked with noise signs.
b) Be responsible for the proper use of related equipment to avoid or reduce noise.
c) Be responsible for intervening in other persons who are not using hearing protection
equipment as required.

5 Management content
5.1 Noise monitoring and assessment
5.1.1 Each unit shall conduct initial noise assessment and monitoring in noise-generating operating
areas such as facilities, equipment and technological processes, identify high-noise areas (above 80 dB
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(A)) and affected persons, and notify the monitoring results in writing or in a public announcement to
relevant employees.
5.1.2 Reasonable warning signs shall be placed in the high-noise area, appropriate noise reduction
measures shall be taken, any personnel working in this area shall wear appropriate and effective
hearing protection facilities with a sufficient sound attenuation value (see Appendix 1), and training and
regular hearing tests for relevant personnel (long-term personnel) shall be provided. The Occupational
Health Management Procedure of the Company shall be followed.
5.1.3 The monitoring and recording of plant boundary and noise source monitoring points shall be
carried out on the project site, and the requirements of relevant national standards shall be met.
5.1.3 Noise assessment requirements
a) For positions with the equivalent sound level of exposure noise intensity greater than or equal
to 80dB(A) and less than 90dB(A), the workplace noise and noise exposure of workers shall
be measured at least once a year; for positions with the equivalent sound level of exposure
noise intensity greater than or equal to 90dB(A), the workplace noise and noise exposure of
workers shall be measured every six months.
b) When changes in process flow, equipment, post personnel and maintenance procedures affect
the noise exposure level, the noise exposure of employees shall be measured and evaluated
again.
c) When an employee's hearing test results indicate a necessity for a reassessment.
d) When there is any complaint about noise.
5.2 Control measures for noise hazards
5.2.1 Engineering control measures
Engineering control measures shall be the preferred control measures (especially during the
construction phase of the project, engineering control measures are the easiest and most economical to
implement, because the cost of implementing engineering controls for existing noise sources is
generally very high), including but not limited to moving high-noise equipment and places away from
crowded areas, and installing vibration reduction and sound-absorbing facilities or sound-proof covers
(screens), etc.
5.2.2 Management control measures
The management control measures are mainly to control the exposure time of personnel in the noise
environment, such as changing the continuous working state to the patrol working state. The details
shall be specified, identified, informed and trained by each unit, but shall not be lower than the
standards of the Company.
5.2.3 Hearing protection equipment
a) When engineering controls are not practicable, personnel exposed to high-noise areas above
85 dB (A) must wear hearing protection equipment.
b) Each unit shall be equipped with earplugs or earmuffs as needed. When the noise is higher
than 100 dB (A), double hearing protection (earplugs and earmuffs) shall be implemented.
c) Relevant employees shall receive corresponding training to reasonably select and use hearing
protection equipment, and the regional leader should train and issue hearing protection
equipment to outsiders during safety education at the factory. The hearing protection
equipment shall at least meet the "noise reduction ratio (NRR)" 20 dB(A).
d) When listening to the operation of the device to determine whether there is a mechanical
problem, one can remove the hearing protection equipment for a short time, or choose an
electronic soundproof earmuff with filter function.
e) Exposure time in high-noise areas shall be minimized, even when hearing protection
equipment is worn. One shall not be continuously exposed for 1 hour in a high-noise area of
94 dB(A); if it is higher than 97 dB (A), one shall not be exposed continuously for 1/2 hour (see
Appendix 2).
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5.2.4 Warning signs

a) All areas where hearing protection equipment needs to be used must have safety warning
signs.
b) Warning signs shall be posted at the entrance of high-noise areas or at obvious places
around.
c) If it is needed to wear double hearing protection in a high-noise area, this shall be indicated on
the warning sign.

6 Reference documents
Occupational Health Management Procedure
Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Occupational Diseases
Guidelines for Risk Management of Noise Occupational Disease Hazards (WS/T 754)
Occupational Exposure Limits for Hazardous Agents in the Workplace - Part 2: Physical Agents (GBZ
2.2)

7 Related appendixes
Appendix 1: Knowledge about Hearing Protection
Appendix 2: Workplace Noise Equivalent Sound Level Reference Exposure Limits

8 Version management
Description
Version Date (description of Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by:
change)
Zhang Liangfu
V0 2022/8/4 New Zhao Pengfeng Li Qinggang
Han Chunyu

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Appendix 1:
Knowledge about Hearing Protection
1 Health hazards of noise
1.1 Noise-induced hearing loss: Chronic and repeated exposure to high noise levels may result in
permanent loss of hearing. The rate of hearing loss depends on the level of noise and the length of
exposure, and it is cumulative.
1.2 Temporary hearing loss
a) When the sound energy entering the inner ear cells is excessive and continuous, the auditory
cells will adjust their own response limits to adapt to these stronger sounds, so that the
sensitive segments of the auditory cells will be adjusted upward accordingly. As a result, there
is no response to lower sounds. This phenomenon is called temporary hearing loss, and the
degree of change depends on the intensity of the noise, the time and the frequency of the
noise.
b) Temporary hearing loss usually recovers within 48 hours after personnel leave the noise area,
depending on the level of noise exposure. However, a long period of work in a workplace that
causes temporary hearing changes could result in permanent hearing loss, even with medical
treatment and the help of a hearing-aid.
c) Exposure to noise may cause tinnitus, hard of hearing, and treble compensation. Many people
find tinnitus as distressing as actual hearing loss.
1.3 Hard of hearing: refers to the difference in tone perception between the two ears or the loud sound
when the same audio frequency is used for stimulation. In this case, even the use of hearing aids does
not help communication better.
1.4 Treble compensation: refers to the deformation of the response to different sounds. The most
obvious thing is that in bass, the affected people usually feel that it is more difficult to communicate in a
quiet environment than in a noisy environment. Affected individuals may ask others to speak louder,
and then complain that others are too loud.
1.5 In addition to causing temporary or permanent hearing loss, noise can also be a safety hazard.
Noise can interfere with verbal communication, resulting in the inability to respond properly to warning
sounds and shouts.
1.6 High noise can also bring pressure to the body. These pressures are thought to cause chemical
reactions in the body, making people unable to better handle emergencies. A very obvious example is
the effect of prolonged exposure to noise, which will lead to circulation problems, digestive problems,
psychological effects, and symptoms such as nervousness and insomnia.
1.7 In addition to being a safety hazard and increasing stress, high noise can also affect work
performance, especially for tasks that require concentration.
2 Hearing protection
2.1 Hearing protection equipment
2.1.1 There are generally two types of hearing protection equipment: earplugs and earmuffs, which
work by reducing the amount of sound entering the ear drum.
2.1.2 The working principle of earplugs is to form a sound barrier in the ear canal, while the earmuffs
close the entire outer ear.

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2.1.3 Earmuffs are another type of hearing protection equipment, which can be used alone or installed
on a hard hat. Meanwhile, communication equipment can also be installed into the earmuffs to receive
sound signals.

2.2 Selection of hearing protection equipment

2.2.1 In order to achieve the purpose of effective protection, proper selection, correct use and regular
maintenance of hearing protection equipment are very important. If feasible, the actual attenuation of
noise shall be considered in the selection process.
2.2.2 In the selection of hearing protection equipment, attention shall be paid to ensuring that the
equipment meets the requirements of relevant standards, such as Chinese standards GB, ANSI
standards or European standards (approved hearing protection equipment must be used).
a) Earplugs: With a noise reduction of up to 25 decibels, they are the most used hearing
protection equipment.
b) Earmuffs: The noise reduction capacity can reach 25 decibels.
c) Simultaneous use of earplugs and earmuffs: Hearing protection equipment can be used
together.
2.3 Use of hearing protection equipment
2.3.1 Hearing protection equipment must be used in designated "area where hearing protection is used"
regardless of the length of working hours.
2.3.2 Hearing protection equipment is not required when the equipment is out of operation, unless other
equipment, tools, etc. at the work site generate high noise.
2.3.3 When listening to the operation of the compressor and other equipment to determine whether
there is a mechanical problem, one can remove hearing protection equipment for a short time.
2.3.4 Double protection (earplugs and earmuffs) shall be used when the noise is higher than 100
decibels.
2.3.5 The equipment shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
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2.3.6 Hearing protection equipment shall be inspected before use, and if found to be defective or dirty, it
shall be prohibited from being used.
2.3.7 The earplugs must be inserted into the ear canal correctly, so as to better achieve hearing
protection.
2.4 Wearing test for hearing protection equipment
2.4.1 All reusable earplugs shall be sterilized and tried out before official use.
2.4.2 The air-tightness of earmuffs shall be checked during trial use.

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Appendix 2:
Workplace Noise Equivalent Sound Level Reference Exposure Limits
In actual work, for workplaces where the daily exposure to noise is less than 8 hours, the noise
exposure limit can also be determined according to Table 1 based on the actual exposure time and the
measured (or calculated) equivalent sound level and the principle of halving the exposure time and
increasing the noise exposure limit by 3dB (A).
Table 1 Workplace Noise Equivalent Sound Level Exposure Limits

Daily exposure time (h) Exposure limit [dB(A)]

8 85
4 88
2 91
1 94
0.5 97