Hear Today… Hear Tomorrow: Hearing Loss Prevention for Supervisors

1. Hear Today… Hear Tomorrow: Hearing Loss Prevention for Supervisors Kelly Kasper BuildItSmart

2. Does anyone here have a hearing loss or know someone who does?

4. What you will learn today: • The Washington State Hearing Conservation Standard Requirements • How to recognize loud noise levels • How to reduce noise levels through engineering and administrative controls • The effects of noise on hearing and productivity • Hearing Protector Selection and Fitting

5. Hearing Loss Prevention Plan! • Washington State requires a hearing conservation plan (WAC 296-62-Part K) -Noise Level Collection -Training -Testing -HPD Selection, Fit and Use -Record keeping

6. Noise at work • 30 million workers are exposed to harmful levels • 2nd most reported occupational illness • Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible – but 100% preventable

7. How to recognize when there is too much noise on the job

8. Noise Sources • Noise a worker creates • Noise created from the worker’s trade • Noise from other trades

11. Plan for the noise • Wrong Expectations • Poor Planning • Lack of coordination

12. How to Prevent Noise • Find quieter ways • Move equipment away from the work zone when possible • Shield loud power equipment in the work zone • Buy Quiet • Turn off equipment when not in use Block it…Move it….Reduce it…

13. Find Quieter Ways Examples: • Maybe you can use a hydraulic cutter or Porta-band in place of an abrasive saw, especially when cutting metal • Or, instead of punching holes in decking or sheet metal, use a drill. • Consider alternative types of fasteners to powder actuated tools

14. Move Noisy Equipment • An air compressor does not have to be within arms length. It can be placed hundreds of feet away. All it takes is one extra length of air hose.

15. What could be done here?

16. Shield Loud Equipment Examples: • Scrap plywood and duct tape can make an effective shield to reduce noise around a power pack. Make sure it does not become a fire hazard. • Build a temporary wall between the concrete pumper and the work zone.

17. Buy Quiet Example: • When it is time to buy new equipment or tools, ask the employer to think about what is least noisy. Develop a noise limit policy. • Find ways to retrofit existing equipment to make it less noisy, such as installing mufflers. • Maintain equipment

18. Turn it Off • Turn off power equipment when it is not in use

19. Reducing Noise from Other Trades • Job site meetings (Risk Chart & Weekly Action Plan Sheets) • Know the noisy tasks • Schedule noisy tasks for off hours • Ask the employer to check noise levels of different tasks

20. How to Protect Your Workers When Noise Can’t Be Prevented

21. It is too Loud When • 2-3 foot rule

22. Hearing Protection Types: Demonstration of Fitting • Foam plugs • Pre-molded plugs • Custom molded plugs • Banded or semi-aural • Earmuffs

23. Noise Reduction Breakdown

24. Real World Reduction • Earmuffs Subtract 25% from the manufacturer's labeled NRR • Formable earplugs Subtract 50% from the manufacturer's labeled NRR • All other earplugs Subtract 70% from the manufacturers labeled NRR

25. Hearing Protection Selection • Convenience • Comfort • Communication needs • Hygiene • Noise Reduction • Hearing ability • Noise Level

26. Care and Maintenance • Foam plugs: Use them when they look like they are new, or get new ones • Earmuffs: Wipe down with a damp cloth, or remove the cushions and wash in soapy water. Cushions should be replaced if torn or cracked. Replace entire muff if headband is sprung. • Custom: Replace every 3-5 years. Wash in mild soapy water. • Pre-molded: Replace the earbuds if they are dirty or damaged.

27. Mobile work force Companies mandate hard hats & safety glasses, not as consistent about ear plugs & muffs The ears do not bleed, can not see the injury Problems in getting hearing conservation into construction • —Lusk et al., University of Michigan; Melamed et al, • Israeli study; NIOSH

28. Reasons workers do not use hearing protectors: • Fear of not hearing warning signals & voices (especially if hearing protection is more than needed) • Uncomfortable to wear all day • Benefit not readily apparent (hearing loss is gradual) • More immediate hazards on job site

29. Noise Reduction Exercise

30. NOISE INDUCED HEARING LOSS • Caused by exposure to harmful noise levels • Damages hair cells in your inner ear • Temporary vs. Permanent • Permanent damage is irreversible • Poor hearing is a major handicap • Prevention is key

31. Your Ear

32. Effects of Noise • Noise affects almost all types of work • Workplace noise effects ALL construction workers • Up to 50% of construction workers may have some job-related hearing loss • Once hearing is gone it is lost forever • Disrupts your daily life

33. Other Effects of Noise • Tinnitus – Ringing in the ears • Non-Auditory problems - Constant State of Alert - Disturbed Sleeping Pattern - Increased blood pressure

34. Hearing Conservation in Washington State • WISHA requires that employers provide a hearing conservation program to employees if they are exposed to 85 dB or more for an average of 8-hours • Transient workforce makes it difficult • Build It Smart proposes an industry-wide hearing testing program

35. Type of Tests Baseline Annual Retest Types of Loss Temporary Permanent Hearing Testing • Testing Facilities • Clinical • Mobile Unit

36. Self Tests • Radio Check same day • Radio Check day after • Tinnitus can be an early indicator of hearing loss

37. Worker Rights • Their Records • Compensation if significant hearing loss occurs • To an effective Hearing Conservation Program

38. Need another reason A hearing impaired person had this to say: “I wish I had my hearing back, because I can’t hear my grandkids. I am missing out on so much! If only I knew then, what I know now!”

39. For More Information Contact us at: builditsmart@qwest.net www.builditsmart.org

40. Checklist

41. Bill Duke Video