Hearing Conservation and Noise
Hearing Conservation
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Hearing Conservation Program is designed to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.95. The program is designed to identify and control hazardous noise levels in the workplace. OSHA defines a hazardous level of noise exposure as an eight-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. All employees with this level of noise exposure must be enrolled in the program.
What you need to know
- A workplace hazard assessment should be conducted to determine which work locations and tasks expose employees to hazardous noise
- You must be enrolled in the Hearing Conservation program if hazardous noise levels are identified. Contact EHS to determine enrollment status.
- Training is required initially and annually thereafter
- Audiometric medical testing is required annually. Supervisors generally coordinate with EHS for annual testing.
- Signage is posted in high noise areas where hazard assessments have been completed
- Hearing protection PPE must be made available and worn by employees
- Hearing protection PPE must be stored and maintained in accordance with manufacturer requirements
Services
The Environmental Health and Safety Office offers the following services:
- Consultative hazard assessment
- Program enrollment
- Audiometric testing authorization
- Training
- Sound level sampling
- Written programs, plans, and procedures
- Inspections