TITLE:	ES&H Manual
DOCUMENT ID:	6640 Appendix T2 Hearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Required and Voluntary Use (including Medical Monitoring)

1.0 Purpose

Hearing protection is required at Jefferson Lab when high noise levels have been determine to be 85 dBA or greater. This appendix provides the process step used to determine the appropriate type, and when to obtain medical monitoring and training.

2.0 Scope

Anyone, at any time, may use hearing protection on a voluntary basis (see Section 5.0 Voluntary Hearing Protection).

Engineering controls such as equipment/material substitutions are considered appropriate means of hazard mitigation and are required under certain circumstances. After these controls have been implemented another hazard evaluation is required prior to lowering the area’s hazard level.

The process steps for this procedure are performed in coordination with ES&H Manual Chapter 6640 Hearing Conservation Program and ES&H Manual Chapter 6800 Medical Monitoring.

3.0 Responsibilities

NOTE: Management authority may be delegated at the discretion of the responsible manager.

3.1 Anyone at Jefferson Lab

· Request a High Noise Hazard Evaluation if you suspect high noise conditions.

· Utilize engineering controls such as alternate equipment/materials to avoid using hearing protection.

· Perform process steps as outlined to obtain hearing protection.

· Obtain medical monitoring, as required. (See ES&H Manual 6800 Appendix T1 Medical Monitoring.)

3.2 Supervisor/Subcontracting Officer’s Technical Representative (SOTR)/Sponsor

· Ensure individuals under your authority, who work in, or are otherwise exposed to, high noise levels, are provided appropriate hearing protection in accordance with ES&H Manual Chapter 6620 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program and ES&H Manual 6800 Occupational Medicine.

· Review work area and equipment to determine if engineering controls such as equipment/material substitutions could adequately mitigate the hazard.

3.3 Industrial Hygiene

· Perform High Noise Hazard Evaluations for areas/equipment when requested, or identified.

· Provide postings as appropriate.

· Determine the required hearing protection.

3.4 Occupational Medicine

· Perform initial and annual audiograms in accordance with ES&H Manual Chapter 6800 Appendix T1 Medical Monitoring.

· Provide training as required.

4.0 Process Steps

4.1 Determine Appropriate Hearing Protection

Supervisors perform the following process steps for individual under their authority when hearing protection is required, in accordance with ES&H Manual Chapter 6640 Appendix T1 High Noise Hazard Evaluation and Area Monitoring:

Step 1: Include appropriate determination on affected individuals’ Job Task Analysis (JTA).

Step 2: Ensure hearing protection is provided and worn. (See ES&H Manual Chapter 6620 Appendix T1 Selecting, Acquiring, Training, and Caring for PPE and ES&H Manual 6800 Occupational Medicine.)

5.0 Voluntary Hearing Protection

Jefferson Lab allows employees to wear hearing protection on a voluntary basis. It may be obtained by following the process steps as outlined within ES&H Manual Chapter 6620 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program. Voluntary use of hearing protection does not require medical monitoring.

6.0 Revision Summary

Revision 1 – 04/16/12 – Update to reflect current laboratory operations.

Revision 0 – 08/31/06 – Original content.

ISSUING AUTHORITY	TECHNICAL POINT-OF-CONTACT	APPROVAL DATE	EXPIRATION DATE	REV.
ESH&Q Division	Richard Owen	04/16/12	04/16/17	1

This document is controlled as an on line file. It may be printed but the print copy is not a controlled document. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the document is the same revision as the current on line file. This copy was printed on 7/27/2012.