Protecting Workers From Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Being in compliance with the Cal/OSHA (or Federal OSHA) noise regulations does not always prevent work-related hearing loss or a workers’ compensation claim. That’s because research indicates that the current regulations simply aren’t protective enough.
Cal/OSHA’s noise regulations have a permissible noise exposure level (PEL) of 90 dBA (decibels, A-weighted) for 8 hours. The regulations also set an “action level” of 85 dBA. When employees are exposed above this action level, the employer must implement a hearing conservation program that includes annual hearing tests to determine if employees have experienced a hearing loss.
There are two deficiencies with the current regulations that put employees at risk. First, the Cal/OSHA PEL and action level are not protective enough. Secondly, some industries (most notably construction and agriculture) are exempt from having a hearing conservation program. Without annual hearing tests, a worker may not notice (or bring to the attention of the employer) a hearing loss until it becomes debilitating. Once hearing is lost, the damage is permanent.
There are guidelines for employers that
protect employees from the damaging effects of occupational noise. One of these is the threshold limit value (TLV) set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Another is the recommended exposure limit (REL) set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Both guidelines recommend an exposure limit of 85 dBA for an 8-hour workday.
Not only do ACGIH and NIOSH guidelines lower the exposure limit to 85 dBA, they
also lower what is called the “exchange rate” from 5 dBA to 3 dBA. When the sound
level increases by the decibel value of the exchange rate, the allowed duration is halved. In other words, Cal/OSHA allows an employee to be exposed to 90 dBA for 8-hours, 100 dBA for 4-hours, etc., while ACGIH and NIOSH recommendations allow 85 dBA for 8-hours, 88 dBA for 4-hours, etc. That’s quite a difference between what’s allowable under the law and what’s considered protective. In addition, NIOSH and ACGIH recommendations for annual hearing tests do not exempt any industries.
If you want to save workers from the debilitating effects of hearing loss, and prevent costly workers’ compensation claims, protect your employees by following the ACGIH or NIOSH guidelines.