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Noise
(occupational) Self-Inspection Checklist |
Guidelines: This checklist is based on regulations
issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) under the general industry standard 29 CFR 1910.95. For
noise exposure at constructions sites, please use the checklist entitled Noise, Radiation, and Other Exposures for Construction.
These regulations are not designed to cover nuisance noise exposure (e.g.
ambient noise, road traffic, etc.). They are designed to protect against
hearing loss and apply to situations in which noise levels equal or exceed 85 dBA as an 8-hour
time-weighted-average. The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for
noise is 90 dBA. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH), however, recommends a different, more protective standard to prevent hearing
loss. Please contact NIOSH (1-800-35-NIOSH) for information on their
recommendations. The regulations cited apply only to private employers and
their employees, unless adopted by a State agency and applied to other groups
such as public employees. A yes answer to a question
indicates that this portion of the inspection complies with the OSHA or EPA
standard, or with a nonregulatory recommendation. Definitions of terms in bold
type are provided at the end of the checklist.
Noise-generating
operations, processes, and equipment to which people are exposed may cause
hearing loss depending on the intensity and duration of exposure. Noisy
machinery does not automatically mean a problem exists. As a general rule, if
normal conversation is difficult between two people standing at arms length,
further investigation is warranted. If noise problems are suspected, a formal
evaluation by a qualified person, such as an industrial hygienist, is
recommended to determine compliance. The questions below provide general
guidance in evaluating your lab, shop or classroom.
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Please
Circle
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*
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Y N N/A
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*
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2. If
noise levels from operations or equipment equal or
exceed 85 dBA, has personal noise dosimetry been
performed on exposed persons to determine their
8-hour time-weighted-averages?
[29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1)(ii)] |
Y N N/A
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*
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3. Does
the employer administer a continuing, effective hearing
conservation program when noise exposures equal
or exceed 85 dBA as an 8-hour time- weighted-average? [29
CFR 1910.95(c)
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Y N N/A
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4. Are
hearing protectors available at no cost to all persons exposed
to noise levels at or above 85 dBA as
an 8-hour time-weighted-average? [29
CFR 1910.95(i)(1)]
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Y N N/A
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*
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5. Have
feasible engineering or administrative controls been
used to reduce operation or equipment noise levels
to below 90 dBA as an 8-hour time- weighted-average? [29
CFR 1910.95(b)(1)]
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Y N N/A
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6. Are
noise measurements repeated when a change in operations
or equipment may increase noise exposure? [29 CFR
1910.95(d)(3)]
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Y N N/A
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7. Are
employees permitted to observe noise measurements?
[29 CFR 1910.95(f)] |
Y N N/A
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8. Are
employees notified of noise monitoring results when exposures
equal or exceed 85 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted-average?
[29 CFR 1910.95(e)] |
Y N N/A
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*
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9. Are
hearing protectors evaluated to verify that they effectively
reduce noise to levels below 85 dBA as
an 8-hour time-weighted-average?
[29 CFR 1910.95(j)(1)] |
Y N N/A
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10. Are
noise measurement records maintained for at least two years?
[29 CFR 1910.95(m)(3)(i)] |
Y N N/A
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11. Are
employees' hearing test records maintained for the
duration of matriculation or employment? [29
CFR 1910.95(m)(i)]
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Y N N/A
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12. Is a
copy of the OSHA noise standard available to employees,
with a copy posted in work area?
[29 CFR 1910.95(l)(1)] |
Y N N/A
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*
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13. If
noise measurements indicate an 8-hour time- weighted-average of
85 dBA or greater, is a training program
given that covers the effects of noise on hearing;
the purpose of hearing protection and how
to use it; and the purpose of audiometric testing? [29 CFR 1910.95(k)(3)(i),(ii),and (iii)] |
Y N N/A
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*
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14. If
noise measurements indicate an 8-hour time- weighted-average of
85 dBA or greater, are baseline and
annual audiometric tests given at no cost to employees
using properly calibrated testing equipment?
[29 CFR 1910.95 (g)(1),(2),(3),(4),and(h)] |
Y N N/A
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15. Are
audiometric tests preceded by at least 14 hours without
career-technical or occupational noise exposure? [29
CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(iii)]
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Y N N/A
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16. Are
audiometric tests conducted by a licensed or certified
audiologist; otolaryngologist, or other physician;
or by a technician who is certified by the Council
of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation
or who has demonstrated competence in
administering audiometric tests?
[29 CFR 1910.95(g)(3)] |
Y N N/A
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17. If audiometric tests show hearing loss
due to noise exposure at work, are procedures in place
for appropriate referrals, mandatory use of
hearing protection, and training?
[29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(a)(b),and(c)] |
Y
N N/A
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*
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18. Do
all employees exposed to 85 dBA or above
as an 8-hour time-weighted-average receive hearing
conservation training when they begin work and annually
thereafter? [29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1)and(2)]
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Y N N/A
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Definitions:
8-hour time-weighted average: an average exposure
weighted to account for time and changing noise levels throughout an 8-hour
day.
Administrative controls: reducing the period of
personal noise exposure by job rotation or adding periods of quiet to the work
day or work process such that the 8-hour time-weighted-average noise level does
not exceed permissible limits.
dBA: noise levels in decibels measured with a sound level meter set to
the A scale. The A scale simulates how humans hear noise levels at different
frequencies.
Permissible exposure limit (PEL): an
employee's exposure limit to an airborne concentration of a substance which
OSHA/USDOL publishes and enforces. It is expressed as an 8-hr time-weighted
average (TWA). PELs are protective limits that shall not be exceeded.
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