The purpose of this chapter is to:
• Prevent employee hearing loss by minimizing employee noise exposures
AND • Make sure employees exposed to noise are protected.
These goals are accomplished by:
• Measuring and computing the employee noise exposure from all equipment and machinery in the workplace, as well as any other noise sources in the work area
• Protecting employees from noise exposure by using feasible noise controls
• Making sure employees use hearing protection, if you cannot feasibly control the noise
• Training employees about hearing loss prevention
• Evaluating your hearing loss prevention efforts by tracking employee hearing or periodically reviewing controls and protection
• Making appropriate corrections to your program.
Use Table 1 to help you determine the hearing loss prevention requirements for your workplace:
Table 1
Noise Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Description | Requirements |
| 85 dBA TWA8 | Full-day employee noise exposure dose. If you have one or more employees whose exposure equals or exceeds this level, you must have a hearing loss prevention program | – Hearing protection
– Training
– Audiometric testing |
| 90 dBA TWA8 | Full-day employee noise exposure dose. If you have one or more employees whose exposure equals or exceeds this level, you must reduce employee noise exposures in the workplace | – Noise controls
AND
– Hearing protection
– Training
– Audiometric testing |
| 115 dBA measured using slow response | Extreme noise level (greater than one second in duration) | – Hearing protection
– Signs posted in work areas warning of exposure |
| 140 dBC measured using fast response | Extreme impulse or impact noise (less than one second in duration) | Hearing protection |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 03-11-060, § 296-817-100, filed 5/19/03, effective 8/1/03.]