This program was developed to ensure the safety and health of University employees who work in potentially hazardous noise areas. It is the intent of UNM to ensure that noise exposures on the job do not adversely affect the employee's hearing.

All employees exposed to 85 dBA or greater based upon an eight (8) hour time-weighted average, as determined by noise monitoring, must participate in the Hearing Conservation Program.

Action Level - The level of noise, averaged over an 8-hour workday, that initiates the requirements of this program. 85 dBA is the action level for this program.

Attenuation - The reduction of noise intensity that is provided by hearing protection. This is determined using the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) listed on the hearing protection in the following equation:

(NRR-7)/2 = decibel reduction

This number is subtracted from the measured sound levels. The resulting number must be less than 90 decibels.

Audiogram - A record of hearing level measured at several different frequencies. Used to detect a hearing loss.

A-Weighted Sound Level (dBA) - A quantity in decibels read from a sound level meter that discriminates against the lower frequencies to approximate the auditory sensitivity of the human ear at moderate sound levels.

Decibels (dB) - A unit of noise measurement.

Standard Threshold Shift - A change in hearing threshold relative to the baseline audiogram of an average of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hertz in either ear.

Time-Weighted Average - The average of the noise levels measured during the time sampled, usually eight (8) hours.

1. Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs (SHEA) is responsible for:

• developing and implementing a program at the University;
• monitoring compliance with the OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1910.95;
• providing general Hearing Conservation training;
• conducting noise exposure assessments and evaluating exposure control measures as necessary; and
• maintaining employee exposure records.

2. Employee Occupational Health Services (EOHS) responsibilities include:

• conducting baseline and annual audiograms;
• maintaining audiometric test records;
• informing employee(s) if audiogram shows a standard threshold shift; and
• notifying SHEA if standard threshold shift may be caused by occupational exposure.

3. Deans, Directors and Department Heads are responsible for:

• ensuring departmental compliance with all the procedures outlined in this program

4. Supervisors’ responsibilities include:

• ensuring compliance with this program in their respective work area;
• providing hearing protection for employees required to participate in this program; and
• coordinating the provision of medical examinations, exposure monitoring and recordkeeping, as required.

5. Employees are required to:

• know the provisions of the Hearing Conservation Program;
• wear hearing protection when required and provided; and
• attend annual Hearing Conservation training.

Protection from the effects of noise exposure shall be provided when the sound levels exceed those listed below:

SHEA will conduct sound level surveys in areas suspected of exceeding the action level, or in those areas identified by employee complaints which may be attributed to noise exposure.

If information indicates that employee exposures may equal or exceed the action level, SHEA will conduct personnel sampling to assess employee exposures.

This monitoring will be repeated whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls increases noise exposure to the extent that additional employees may be exposed above the action level or the attenuation provided by the hearing protection used may be rendered inadequate.

All employees participating in this program will receive a baseline audiogram within six (6) months of their start date and annually thereafter. Audiograms will be performed by EOHS.

If an employee audiogram shows a standard threshold shift, they will be informed in writing within 21 days. If it believed to be work-related, SHEA will investigate the work area and employees will be provided or refitted with hearing protection or control measures will be implemented as necessary.

When possible, engineering controls or administrative controls will be used to reduce employee exposure to noise in a work area.

Hearing Protection. Supervisors will provide all employees exposed above the action level with hearing protection. Hearing protection will be provided at no cost to the employee, including replacement as necessary. Employees will be given the opportunity to select from a variety of hearing protection. SHEA can provide supervisors with information on the appropriate hearing protection for the noise levels in the work area.

Every employee required to participate in this program will receive Hearing Conservation training. This training will be provided by SHEA annually, and will include the following:

• requirements of the OSHA Standard
• explanation of UNM's Hearing Conservation Program
• effects of noise on hearing
• purpose of hearing protection, advantages/disadvantages and attenuation of different types
• instructions on the selection, fitting, use and care of hearing protection
• purpose of audiometric testing

In addition, employees must be provided with area-specific on-the-job training. This training is to be conducted by the supervisor, with the assistance of SHEA, and will inform employees of:

• location of UNM's Hearing Conservation Program
• types of hearing protection available in the work area
• specific procedures or areas that require hearing protection
• the engineering and/or administrative controls used in the work area to reduce noise exposures

Area-specific training will be conducted whenever a new noise hazard is introduced into the work area, when the employee transfers to another job, and whenever the employee demonstrates behavior that indicates a lack of understanding of the requirements of this program.

All training must be documented by the individual presenting the training session and a copy of the training records will be submitted to SHEA.

"Hearing Protection Required" signs will be posted in areas with noise levels above 90 dBA.