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Oregon OSHAs

quickguidetohearing protectionWhat you should know

and not a word more!

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About this guideOregon OSHAs quick guide to hearing protectionis an OregonOSHA Standards and Technical Resources publication. Oregon OSHAquick guides are for employers and employees who want to knowabout our requirements and get back to business quickly.

Who should read this guide?

Read this guide if you want to:

Understand how workplace noise affects hearing

Learn the key requirements of our hearing protection rule1910.95,Occupational noise exposure. This rule coversgeneral industry, construction, and forest activitiesworkplaces.

What the icons mean.Throughout the guide youll see symbolsthat direct your attention to questions, critical information, and keyparts of a requirement.

Question

Additional information

NO

Gobbledygook

Piracy notice

Reprinting, excerpting, or plagiarizing thispublication is fine with us! Please inform us ofyour intention as a courtesy.

Layout, design, and editing

Stacey Thias: DCBS Communications, layout and design

Mark Peterson: DCBS Communications, editing and proofing

We want you to understand what you readEvery Oregon OSHA quick guidecomes with a plain-languageguarantee! Let us know if youre not satisfied. ContactEllis Brasch: 503-947-7399, ellis.k.brasch@state.or.us.

http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_2/1910-95.pdfhttp://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_3/1926-52.pdfhttp://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_7/div7_d.pdfmailto:ellis.k.brasch@state.or.usmailto:ellis.k.brasch@state.or.ushttp://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_7/div7_d.pdfhttp://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_3/1926-52.pdfhttp://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_2/1910-95.pdf

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ContentsYour hearing: use it, dont lose it. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Sound and noise. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

How is sound measured? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Sound-measuring instruments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

How does hearing work?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

How loud is too loud? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

How does sound damage hearing?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

How to know if your hearing is damaged?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

When is workplace noise dangerous?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Do you need a hearing conservation program?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

When other controls and hearing protectors are required . . . . . . . . . .14

About engineering controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

About administrative controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

About hearing protectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Elements of a hearing conservation program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Exposure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Audiometric testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Hearing protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Training employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Recordkeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Access to information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Compliance quiz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Important terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

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Your hearing: use it,dont lose itMost of us take hearing for granted. When we go home after work

and when we get up in the morning, we expect to hear. Humanhearing is amazingly sensitive. Our ears can distinguish 400,000different sounds and can detect sounds so quiet they cause theeardrum to vibrate less than 1/80 millionth of an inch. But thatremarkable sensitivity doesnt have a lifetime guarantee.

To maintain your hearing, you have to care for it. Noise is as mucha part of our lives as the air we breathe. Were exposed to noise atwork, at home, and at play. Yet our ability to hear well offers fewclues when we put it at risk.

Noise-induced hearing loss is the term for hearing damagedby exposure to excessive noise. The damage to hearing causedby too much noise may not be apparent for years.

Hearing loss cant be cured. But it can be prevented.

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Sound and noiseSound is what you hear. Yes, a dog can hearsounds that you cant hear and you can feelthe sound of a jet as it prepares to take off, butmost of us relate sound with things we hear.

One persons noise may be another personsmusic, but theres a point at which sound

becomes a problem for all of us when it destroys our ability tohear the sounds we want to hear.

Sound is our sensation of very small, rapidchanges in air pressure.

Noise is any sound that you dont want to hear.

Origins of The HumIn 1993, folks around Taos, N.M., complainedabout an irritating low frequency sound thathas come to be known as the Taos Hum. Now,Hum is a name for any persistent, invasive lowfrequency humming noise.

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How is sound measured?Sound is measured in two ways: decibelsand frequency. Decibelsmeasure the pressure of sound. Frequency is related to a soundspitch and is measured in units called hertz (Hz), or cycles persecond. The pitch of a sound how high or low it seems ishow you perceive its frequency; the higher the pitch, the higherthe frequency. High-frequency sounds are generally more annoyingthan low-frequency sounds and can be more harmful to hearing.

Human hearing is most sensitive to frequencies between 3,000 and4,000 Hz. Thats why people with damaged hearing have difficultyunderstanding higher-pitched voices and other sounds in the3,000 to 4,000 Hz range.

Children usually have the best hearing and can often distinguishfrequencies ranging from the lowest note on a pipe organ (about20 Hz), to the trill of a dog whistle (20,000 Hz).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB_V0_wMnGIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB_V0_wMnGI

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Sound-measuringinstrumentsThe instruments typically used to measure sound are the

sound-level meterand the dosimeter.A sound-level meter measures the pressure of sound in a specificarea at a moment in time good for estimating noise exposure inareas where noise levels are relatively constant and workers arenot mobile.

A dosimeter measures the noise exposure for one worker over alonger cumulative time, such as an eight-hour day.

Sound-level meter

Measures noise at amoment in time.

Dosimeter

Measures noiseexposure over time.

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How does hearing work?The ear has three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear, andinner ear. The outer ear (pinna) collects sound waves and directsthem into the external auditory canal. The eardrum separates theauditory canal from the middle ear. Small bones in the middle eartransfer sound to the inner ear. The inner ear contains the cochlea,the main sensory organ for hearing, and nerve endings leading tothe brain.

All sounds produce waves. Sound waves funnel through the openingin your outer ear, travel down the auditory canal, and strike theeardrum, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations pass the small bonesof the middle ear, which transmit them to sensory cells calledhair cells located in the cochlea. The vibrations become nerveimpulses and go directly to the brain, which interprets the impulses

as sound.

Middle Ear

Inner Ear

Outer Ear

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How loud is too loud?Because people differ in their sensitivity to sound, theres no way topredict who is at risk for hearing loss. Sound pressure, frequency,and length of exposure all determine whether what you hear isharmful or just annoying. However, the following are signs thatnoise may be a problem where you work:

You have to shout to make yourself heard during work

You have ringing in your ears for several hours after youleave work

You have difficulty hearing normal sounds for several hoursafter you leave work

Most hearing specialists agree: You can damageyour hearing if youre continually exposed to noisegreater than 85 decibels over eight hours. As noiselevels rise above 85 decibels, the safe exposuretime for unprotected ears falls dramatically. Forexample, 110-decibel noise can impair hearingafter just 15 minutes of exposure.

Do you know your dBAs and dBCs?

Sound-level meters and dosimeters measure decibels indifferent frequency ranges, typically a dBA scale and a dBCscale. The dBA scale reflects measurements that emphasizehigher frequencies, closer to human hearing. The dBC scalemeasures the lower frequencies in the environment, which our

ears dont perceive as very loud. We may not hear the lowerfrequencies, but we can feel them.

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How does sounddamage hearing?Very loud sounds can damage the sensitive hair cells in your

inner ear.Hair cells are the foot soldiers for your hearing. As thenumber of damaged hair cells increases, your brain receives fewerimpulses to interpret as sound. When you damage hair cells, youdamage hearing.

Source: Dangerous Decibels Program OHSU www.dangerousdecibels.org

Repeated exposures to loud noise can damage hair cells to the point thatthey wont recover.

While a single exposure to loud noise can damage your hair cells,

it probably wont destroy them. You may experience ringing inyour ears and some sounds may be muffled, but your hair cells willrecover and so will your hearing. This is called a temporarythreshold shift.

But repeated exposures to loud noise can damage hair cells to thepoint that they wont recover. Because the damage is permanent,the result is called a permanent threshold shift. No treatmentwill restore it. When you destroy hair cells, you destroy hearing.

Healthy Damaged

Gun fun

The sound of a shotgun or a high-power rifle (about 140decibels) is equal to about 40 hours of continuous exposureat 90 dBA. Shooting 50 shotgun shells without hearingprotection is equivalent to working in a 90-dBA environmentfor one year. An avid target shooter can produce one yearsworth of noise exposure in just a few minutes!

http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/

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How to know if yourhearing is damagedHearing loss is painless and gradual. It usually develops over several

years you might not even notice the loss during those years.Sometimes, overexposure to loud noise can trigger ringing orother sounds in your ears, called tinnitus. While tinnitus may be asymptom of damaged hearing, it can also be caused by infections,medications, and earwax.

The only way to know for sure if noise has damaged your hearing isto have a hearing examination by a certified audiometric technician,audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, your hearing

may be at risk:Do you frequently ask people to repeat sentences?

Do you feel your hearing is not as good as it was 10 years ago?

Have family members noticed a problem with your hearing?

Are you exposed to loud noise without hearing protectionwhere you work?

Do you have to shout to a co-worker because of the noisearound you?

Are you exposed to noise from firearms, motorcycles,snowmobiles, power tools, or loud music withouthearing protection?

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When is workplacenoise dangerous?Theres only one way to know. Have the noise evaluated by

someone trained to conduct a sound survey. Anyone trained touse a sound-level meter and a dosimeter and evaluate the datashould be able to do the survey. There are three basic types:

Area monitoring. Use a sound-level meter to identify areas inthe workplace that may put workers hearing at risk.

Personal monitoring. Use a sound-level meter and adosimeter to estimate an individuals daily noise exposure.

Engineering survey. Measure noise levels produced bymachinery in different operating modes to find ways to

eliminate or control the noise.

An effective noise survey should give you enough information tounderstand a noise problem to identify it and to determine howto control it. But its important to narrow the surveys focus so thatyou arent overwhelmed with more information than you need tomake a good decision.

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Do you need a hearingconservation program?Our hearing protection rule, 1910.95, Occupational noise

exposure, says that your workplace must have a hearingconservation program when employees are exposed to noise levelsthat are equal to or greater than 85 dBA averaged over eight hours.The basic elements of a hearing conservation program include:

Exposure monitoring

Audiometric testing

Hearing protection

Employee training

RecordkeepingAccess to information

For more information see, Elements of a hearingconservation program, page 18.

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When other controls and hearing protectorsare required

If your workplace has noise levels that are greater than those shownin the table below you must use engineering or administrativecontrols to reduce employee exposures. If these controls arent

effective, your employees must also use hearing protectors to reducetheir exposures to safe levels.

When engineering or administrative controls are required

Hours of exposure Sound level (dBA)

8.0 90

6.0 92

4.0 95

3.0 97

2.0 100

1.5 102

1.0 105

0.5 110

0.25 or less 115

This requirement applies to all exposed employees, including those withhearing impairments. Even employees who have been diagnosed withsevere or profound deafness may have some residual hearing, which mustbe protected.

Noise adds up

Lower noise exposure levels may actually be riskier thanhigher levels. For example, exposures below 95 dBA mayseem annoying but not loud enough for hearing protection,yet cumulative exposure can lead to hearing loss. Noiselevels above 100 dBA, however, are uncomfortable and thediscomfort serves as a reminder: Wear hearing protectors.

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This requirement applies to all exposed employees, including those withhearing impairments. Even employees who have been diagnosed withsevere or profound deafness may have some residual hearing, which mustbe protected.

About engineering controls

When you replace a noisy machine with a quiet one, modify it tomake it quieter, or change the sound path so that the noise neverreaches the listener, youre using an engineering control.

Workplace safety and health specialists will tell you that engineering

controls are the best way to control noise. Thats true onlyif theengineering control is effective, practical, and affordable. Applyingengineering controls to a noise problem can be challenging becauseready-to-order solutions may not be available. Youre more likely tofind a workable solution when you:

Understand whats causing the noise

Determine how the noise is reaching the worker

Identify where to control the noise: at the source, along thesound path, or at the worker

Creative engineering solutions may also be the best ones. Here arethree examples.

Build an enclosure: Construction workers were using a concretemixer to de-grease metal parts by tumbling them in sawdust effective but noisy. To reduce the noise level to below 85 decibels,the employer built an enclosure around the mixer with two-by-fours and an acoustic sound board, sealing the access door withpolyurethane foam. The cost was minimal and the design waseffective; it lowered noise levels to a safe 78 decibels.

Increase the distance:When you double the distance between theworker and the sound source, you decrease the sound pressure levelby six decibels. For example, a hazardous 96-decibel noise source atfive feet is a safe 84 decibels at 20 feet as shown in the table below.

When engineering or administrative controls are required

Distance Decibel level atthe source

Decibel level atthe listener

5 feet 96 9610 feet 96 90

20 feet 96 84

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About administrative controls

Unlike engineering controls, which keep hazardous noise fromreaching a worker, administrative controls change workers activitiesto lower their exposure. Closely related to administrative controlsare work-practice controls, which emphasize safe practices.Administrative and work-practice controls are usually less expensivethan engineering controls because there is no cost in changing ormodifying equipment. However, administrative and work-practicecontrols usually arent as effective as engineering controls becausethey dont control the noise. Noisy machines are still noisy and theexposure is still present.

Examples of administrative and work-practice controls:

Administrative controls

Reduce the time workers spend in noisy areas; rotate two or

more workers so that each is exposed to noise less than 85decibels, averaged over an eight-hour day.

Shut down noisy equipment when its not neededfor production.

Work-practice controls

Maintain equipment so that it runs smoothly and quietly.

Ensure that workers know how to perform their tasks andoperate equipment at safe noise levels.

Use warning signs to identify work areas where noise exceedssafe levels.

If an administrative control wont reduce employee exposures tosafe levels, youll need to consider a third noise-control tool:hearing protectors.

About hearing protectors

There are two types of hearing protectors: earplugsand earmuffs.Theyre the next line of defense against noise when you cant reduce

exposures with engineering or administrative controls.Earplugsfit in the outer ear canal. To be effective, they must totallyblock the ear canal with an airtight seal. Theyre available in differentshapes and sizes and can be custom made. An earplug must besnugly fitted so that it seals the entire circumference of the earcanal. An improperly fitted, dirty, or worn-out plug will not seal andcan irritate the ear canal.

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Earmuffsfit over the entire outer ear they wont fit properly overeyeglasses or long hair and are held in place by an adjustableheadband. The headband must hold the earmuff firmly aroundthe ear.

Effectiveness:Better earplugs and earmuffs are about equal insound reduction, though earplugs are more effective for reducing

low-frequency noise and earmuffs for reducing high-frequency noise.Using earplugs and muffs together increases protection against highernoise levels (above 105 decibels) than either used alone.

Selecting hearing protectors:Focus on the three Cs: comfort,convenience, and compatibility. Employees wont wear hearingprotectors that are uncomfortable or difficult to use or that interferewith their work. They should be able to choose, with the help of aperson trained in fitting hearing protectors, from among a variety ofappropriate types and sizes.

Most hearing protectors are labeled with a noisereduction rating (NRR) indicating a protectionlevel in decibels, shown below. However, theseratings are not reliable outside of a testinglaboratory, which is where they received therating. The NRR rating tends to overestimate theprotection a hearing protector will provide underreal-world conditions.

One way to estimate the real-world effectiveness of a hearingprotector is to subtract seven dB from the manufacturers NRR asshown in the example below:

Youll find the following method and others for estimating hearingprotector effectiveness in Appendix B of our hearing protection rule,1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure rule.

Example: A hearing protector with an NRR value of 25

1. Noise level to which the worker is exposed(averaged over eight hours).

95 decibels

2. NRR shown on the hearing protector label. 25 decibels

3. Subtract seven decibels from the NRR. 25-7 = 18

4. Subtract 18 decibels from 95 decibels. 95-18 = 77

This hearing protector may be able to reduce a workers exposurefrom 95 decibels to 77 decibels.

http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_2/1910-95.pdfhttp://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_2/1910-95.pdf

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Elements of a hearingconservation programOur hearing protection rule, 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure,

requires your workplace to have a hearing-conservation programif your employees are exposed to noise levels that are equal to orgreater than 85 dBA averaged over eight hours. The programs keyelements are:

Exposure monitoring

Audiometric testing

Hearing protection

Employee training

RecordkeepingAccess to information

Exposure monitoring

Exposure monitoring can help you determine where its too loud,when its too loud, whose hearing may be at risk, and the levelof hearing protection employees may need. There are two types:personal monitoring and area monitoring. Personal monitoring

measures sound levels near individual workers, usually overeight hours.

An exposure weighted to account for time and changingnoise levels over eight hours is called an eight-hourtime-weighted average.

Area monitoringmeasures sound levels at different locations in theworkplace, usually at a single point in time. A dosimeter is generallyused for personal monitoring while a sound-level meter is used forarea monitoring.

Employees must have the opportunity to observe exposuremonitoring and must be notified about the results if they areexposed at or above the 85-dBA limit.

Conduct monitoring whenever theres a change in your workplace a production process or equipment change, for example thatmay raise noise levels above the 85-dBA limit.

http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_2/1910-95.pdfhttp://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_2/1910-95.pdf

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Audiometric testing

Audiometric testing determines whether an employees hearing isstable or getting worse over time. The testing instrument is calledan audiometer and the result of the test is an audiogram,a graph that shows an employees hearing ability at differentfrequency levels.

An employees baseline audiogramestablishes a reference pointfor future audiograms. Those who are exposed to noise above85 dBA averaged over an eight-hour day must have baselineaudiograms within six months of their first exposure.

Employees must be retested at least annually if they are still exposedabove the 85-dBA limit. The results of each employees annualaudiogram must be compared with the baseline audiogram todetermine if the employees hearing has changed. If the comparisonindicates a change in an employees hearing called a standardthreshold shift the employee must be notified within 21 daysof the finding. Then, you must either accept the test results or retestthe employee within 30 days.

Any employee who has a standard threshold shift and who isnot using hearing protectors must be fitted with them, trainedto use them, and required to use them.

Any employee who has a standard threshold shift andhas been wearing hearing protectors must be refitted

and retrained.Only a certified audiometric technician, audiologist,otolaryngologist, or physician can perform an audiometric test.

125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Right ear normal

Left ear normal

Right ear impaired

Left ear impaired

Frequency, Hz

Hearing

level,Db

Example of an audiogram showing normal and impaired hearing

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Hearing protection

You must provide employees with hearing protectors at no cost ifthey are exposed to workplace noise that equals or exceeds 85 dBA,averaged over eight hours. They must be able to select them from avariety of types that are compatible with their work tasks. Employeesmust also be properly fitted and trained to use and care for theirhearing protectors.

For more information see, About hearing protectors, page 16.

Training employees

Employees who are exposed to noise levels greater than 85 decibels

must have annual training that teaches them why sustained85-decibel noise can damage their hearing, the purpose ofaudiometric testing, why they should use hearing protectors, andhow to use them properly.

Recordkeeping

Keep records of all exposure monitoring and audiometric tests.Audiometric test results must include the employees name andjob classification, audiogram date, examiners name, date of the

audiometers most recent acoustic or exhaustive calibration, andthe employees most recent noise exposure assessment. Recordsmust also include information on background noise levels in theaudiometric test booth.

Recording hearing loss on the OSHA 300 log:You must recordan employees hearing loss on the OSHA 300 log if an annualaudiogram shows a standard threshold shift in either ear and thehearing level in the ear is 25 decibels above audiometric zero. If aphysician or other licensed health care professional determines thatthe hearing loss isnt work-related or aggravated by workplace noise,then you dont need to record it.

Access to information

Our hearing protection rule, 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure,must be posted at your workplace where employees can see it.Employees must also have access to their exposure monitoringrecords for at least two years and their audiometric test records forthe duration of their employment.

http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_2/1910-95.pdfhttp://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/rules/division_2/1910-95.pdf

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Do you have an effective hearing conservation program? Take this quizto nd out.

A noise compliance quiz

1. Have you conducted a noise survey to find out if your workplacehas work processes or equipment that equal or exceed 85 dBAaveraged over eight hours?

Yes No

2. Have you started a hearing conservation program if your workplacehas noise levels that equal or exceed 85 dBA averaged overeight hours?

Yes No

3. Are hearing protectors available at no cost to employees exposedto noise levels that equal or exceed 85 dBA averaged overeight hours?

Yes No

4. Do the employees use hearing protectors that reduce workplacenoise levels below 85 dBA?

Yes No

5. Do the employees understand the effects of noise on hearing,the purpose of hearing protectors and how to use them, and thepurpose of audiometric testing if they are exposed to noise thatequals or exceeds 85 dBA averaged over eight hours?

Yes No

6. Have the employees who are exposed to noisy work processesor equipment had personal exposure monitoring assessments todetermine their eight-hour time-weighted averages?

Yes No

7. If your workplace has noise levels that equal or exceed 90dBA averaged over eight hours, are you using engineering oradministrative controls to lower employee exposure below the90-dBA limit?

Yes No

8. Are your employees allowed to observeexposure-monitoring evaluations?

Yes No

9. Will you notify your employees if their exposure-monitoring resultsindicate they are exposed at or above 85 dBA averaged overeight hours?

Yes No

10. Do you repeat exposure-monitoring evaluations when there arechanges at your workplace that may affect noise levels?

Yes No

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11. Do you keep your employees exposure-monitoring records for atleast two years?

Yes No

12. Do you give baseline and annual audiometric tests at no cost to employees who are exposed to noise that equals or exceeds 85dBA averaged over eight hours?

Yes No

13. Do you make sure that your employees are not exposed toworkplace noise for at least 14 hours before theiraudiometric tests?

Yes No

14. Does a licensed or certified technician, audiologist,otolaryngologist, or physician perform employeesaudiometric tests?

Yes No

15. Do you keep your employees audiometric test records for theduration of their employment?

Yes No

16. Do you have a copy of our Occupational Noise Exposure rule,1910.95 available for employees to review

Yes No

Are all of your answers Yes?

They should be.

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Important termsAdministrative control.A method of controlling workplacehazards by changing workers activities to reduce their exposure toa hazard.

Audiometer.A measuring instrument used to conducthearing tests.

Area monitoring.An exposure-monitoring method that measuressound levels at different locations in the workplace, usually at asingle point in time.

Audiogram.A graph that shows the softest sounds that a personcan hear at different frequencies.

Audiometric zero. The lowest sound pressure level that theaverage young adult with normal hearing can hear.

Baseline audiogram.The reference audiogram against whichfuture audiograms are compared.

Decibel.A unit of sound-pressure level, abbreviated dB. Decibelsindicate the pressure of sound. Sound waves transfer thatpressure from place to place and are measured in units on alogarithmic scale.

Dosimeter.A device worn by a worker for determiningaccumulated noise exposure.

Earmuffs. Personal protective equipment that fits over both earsand forms an airtight seal.

Earplugs.Personal protective equipment that fits in the outer earcanals; to be effective, earplugs must totally block the ear canalswith an airtight seal.

Eardrum.A membrane in the ear canal between the external earand the middle ear.

Eight-hour time-weighted average.An average exposureweighted to account for time and changing noise levels over

eight hours.

Engineering control.A method of controlling a workplace hazardby modifying or eliminating the source of exposure so that its nolonger hazardous.

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Frequency.The number of times per second that the sine waveof sound repeats itself, or that the sine wave of a vibrating objectrepeats itself. Now expressed in hertz (Hz), formerly in cycles persecond (cps).

Hair cells. Sensory cells in the inner ear that transform themechanical energy of sound into nerve impulses.

Hearing conservation program. Required by Oregon OSHA forworkplaces where employees are exposed to noise levels at or above85 decibels averaged over eight hours. Program elements includeexposure monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protector use,employee training, access to information, and recordkeeping.

Hearing protectors.Personal protective equipment that decreasesthe pressure of sound that reaches the eardrum; includes earplugsand earmuffs.

Hertz.Unit of measurement of frequency, numerically equal tocycles per second, abbreviated Hz.

Inner ear. The inner portion of the ear involved in hearingand balance.

Logarithmic scale.A scale that expresses values over a very largerange. Each interval on a logarithmic scale is some common factorlarger than the previous interval. A typical factor is 10; the values onsuch a scale read: 1, 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000, and so on.

Middle ear. The middle portion of the ear consisting of the

eardrum and an air-filled chamber lined with mucous membrane.Noise. Sound that is noticeably unpleasant or undesired or thatinterferes with ones hearing.

Noise-induced hearing loss.The result of exposure to soundof sufficient intensity and duration to cause a decrease inhearing ability.

Outer ear. The external portion of the ear, including the canalleading to the eardrum.

Permanent threshold shift.A permanent decrease in hearingability at a specified frequency as compared with a previouslyestablished reference level.

Personal monitoring.A method of measuring sound levels nearindividual workers, usually over eight hours.

Pitch.The property of a sound determined by the frequency of thewaves that produce it; the highness or lowness of sound.

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Sound.The subjective sensation of hearing something usuallytransmitted in a material medium, typically air. Sound is measuredin decibels.

Sound-level meter.An instrument that uses a microphone,amplifier, and output meter to measure sound levels.

Sound survey.Describes a variety of methods for measuring soundlevels, including basic survey, detailed survey, and engineeringsurvey; includes monitoring exposure levels over extended timeperiods, such as an eight-hour work day.

Standard threshold shift.An average shift in hearing ability ineither ear of 10 dB of more at 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 Hz.

Temporary threshold shift.A temporary impairment ofhearing ability.

Tinnitus. Ringing in the ear or noise sensed in the head. Onset

may be due to excessive sound and persist in the absence ofacoustical stimulation (in which case, it may indicate a lesion of theauditory system).

Work-practice control.A type of administrative control;emphasizes safe work practices and procedures.

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OregonOSHAServicesOregon OSHA offers a wide variety of safety and health services to

employers and employees:Consultative Services

Offers no-cost, on-site safety and health assistance to help Oregon employersrecognize and correct workplace safety and health problems.

Provides consultations in the areas of safety, industrial hygiene, ergonomics,occupational safety and health programs, assistance to new businesses, theSafety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), and the VoluntaryProtection Program (VPP).

Enforcement Offers pre-job conferences for mobile employers in industries such as logging

and construction.

Inspects places of employment for occupational safety and health hazards andinvestigates workplace complaints and accidents.

Provides abatement assistance to employers who have received citations andprovides compliance and technical assistance by phone.

Appeals, Informal Conferences Provides the opportunity for employers to hold informal meetings with Oregon

OSHA on concerns about workplace safety and health.

Discusses Oregon OSHAs requirements and claries workplace safety orhealth violations.

Discusses abatement dates and negotiates settlement agreements to resolvedisputed citations.

Standards and Technical Resources

Develops, interprets, and provides technical advice on safety and health standards.

Provides copies of all Oregon OSHA occupational safety and health standards.

Publishes booklets, pamphlets, and other materials to assist in the implementationof safety and health standards and programs.

Operates a Resource Center containing books, topical les, technical periodicals,and a video lending library.

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Portland1750 NW Naito Parkway, Ste. 112Portland, OR 97209-2533503-229-5910Consultation: 503-229-6193

Salem1340 Tandem Ave. NE, Ste. 160

Salem, OR 97303503-378-3274Consultation: 503-373-7819

Eugene1140 Willagillespie, Ste. 42Eugene, OR 97401-2101541-686-7562Consultation: 541-686-7913

BendRed Oaks Square1230 NE Third St., Ste. A-115Bend, OR 97701-4374541-388-6066Consultation: 541-388-6068

Medford

1840 Barnett Road, Ste. DMedford, OR 97504-8250541-776-6030Consultation: 541-776-6016

Pendleton721 SE Third St., Ste. 306Pendleton, OR 97801-3056541-276-9175Consultation: 541-276-2353

For more information, call the Oregon OSHA ofce nearest you.

Salem Central Ofce350 Winter St. NE, Rm. 430Salem, OR 97301-3882

Phone:503-378-3272Toll-free:800-922-2689

Fax:503-947-7461

en Espaol:800-843-8086Web site:www.orosha.org

Public Education and Conferences

Conducts conferences, seminars, workshops, and rule forums.

Coordinates and provides technical training on topics such as conned space,

ergonomics, lockout/tagout, and excavations. Provides workshops covering management of basic safety and health programs,

safety committees, accident investigation, and job safety analysis.

Manages the Safety and Health Education and Training Grant Program, whichawards grants to industrial and labor groups to develop training materials inoccupational safety and health for Oregon workers.

http://www.orosha.org/http://www.orosha.org/

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440-3349 (2/10/COM)