Jefferson Lab > ES&H
Privacy and Security Notice
ES&H Manual
Chapter 6640 Hearing Conservation Program

Purpose
High noise is a recognized hazard issue at Jefferson Lab. This hearing conservation program has been established to ensure affected areas are identified, appropriate monitoring is established, and individuals are informed of the dangers and adequately protected.

This program satisfies applicable federal, state, and local requirements as outlined in ES&H Manual Chapter 2410 Appendix T1 Hazard Issues List.

Scope
This program applies to continuous or intermittent noise at or above 85 dBA or greater.


Table 1: Required Hearing Conservation Training by Job Classification

Training Course Anyone as Required
Medical Certification for High Noise
MED12		 X*
* Per ES&H Manual Chapter 6800 Appendix T1 Medical Monitoring


Appendices:

T1 High Noise Exposure Assessment
A high noise exposure assessment and subsequent monitoring is conducted when individual exposure or work area noise levels are suspected to be 85 dBA or above. ES&H Manual Chapter 6640 Appendix T1 High Noise Exposure Assessment provides recognized high noise symptoms, the process steps used to schedule and obtain an exposure assessment, and how area monitoring is implemented.
T2 High Noise Hazard Controls
Hearing protection is required at Jefferson Lab when high noise levels have been determine to be 85 dBA or greater. ES&H Manual Chapter 6640 Appendix T2 High Noise Hazard Controls provides the process step used to determine the appropriate type and when to obtain medical monitoring and training.
T3 High Noise Posting Requirements
Jefferson Lab recognizes that high noise is inherently dangerous. It is therefore required that designated areas be posted to provide warning of the potential hazard. ES&H Manual Chapter 6640 Appendix T3 High Noise Posting Requirements defines Jefferson Lab's labeling and posting requirements; and how to update, repair, and maintain these labels.
Responsibilities:

Management authority may be delegated to a task qualified Jefferson Lab employee at the discretion of the responsible manager.

Anyone at Jefferson Lab
  • Ensure that at design of new processes/building equipment that noise control techniques are considered.
  • Request a High Noise exposure assessment if you recognize possible high noise conditions.
  • Perform process steps as outlined in ES&H Manual Chapter 6640 Appendix T2 High Noise Hazard Controls to obtain hearing protection.
  • Obtain medical monitoring, as required. (See ES&H Manual 6800 Appendix T1 Medical Monitoring.)
  • Read and abide by posting requirements.
  • Wear hearing protection as required by area posting, equipment use, or work control document.
Supervisors/Technical Representative (TR)/Sponsor
Industrial Hygiene
  • Conduct noise exposure assessments and inform workers and supervisors when noise levels exceed 85 dBA.
  • Perform noise monitoring when requested or identified
  • Provide postings as appropriate.
  • Determine the required hearing protection.
  • Provide assistance when selecting engineering controls for areas or processes above 85 dBA.
Occupational Medicine
Document Control:
  • ISSUING AUTHORITY:   ES&H Division
    TECHNICAL POINT-OF-CONTACT:  Jennifer Williams
    APPROVAL DATE:   07/28/2020
    EXPIRATION DATE:  07/28/23
    REVISION HISTORY
    Revision 3.0 - 07/28/2020 - Periodic Review; updated Responsibilities to reflect current operations, updated header, and footer (STR-2020-01-02-02).
    Revision 2.0 - 06/07/14 - Periodic Review; updated TPOC from D.Owen to J.Williams; updated Responsibilities to reflect current operations.
    Revision 1.1 - 05/20/14 - Added Required Safety Training Table.
    Revision 1.0 - 04/16/12 - Update to reflect current laboratory operations.
    Revision 0.0 - 08/31/06 - Initial content.

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