noise control & hearing audit tool

8/8/2019 Noise Control & Hearing Audit Tool

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This audit tool will help you to determine if your Noise Control & Hearing Conservation

(NCHC) program is really workingor, if problems exist, which elements ordepartments need improvement.

Completion of this audit may involveparticipation of differing functions andpositions in the organization. Whereavailable, the person(s) responsible forthis audit should bring in the appropriateresources, such as: management andsupervisors; company nurse; JHSC/employee

representative; NCHC program leader;purchasing; audiometric technician; andothers familiar with company standards andprocedures.

It will help you to:

• Assess the completeness and quality of the program’s components; and

• Evaluate noise exposure and theaudiometric data for both individualsand groups of employees exposed to

hearing hazards.Use this audit, along with the Guide, to

Noise Control & Hearing Conservation Program Audit Tool

maintain and update your records. Theinformation you provide is confidential

and intended to assist in the successfulimplementation of the company program.

Please check off those components of theprogram that are in place. Where they are not, or only partially implemented andsuccessful, record your recommended actionplan, who will implement the corrections,and a target date for completion.

Resources to assist your action plan are locatedin the Guide to Noise Control & HearingConservation. Electronic copies of this auditmay be obtained at www.wsib.on.ca.



Table of Contents

Leadership .............................................................................................................. 5Company Standards .........................................................................................................5Management Standards...................................................................................................6Administrative Standards.................................................................................................7

Recognizing Noise.................................................................................................. 8Measurements ..................................................................................................................8Training and Content .....................................................................................................10

Assessing Noise ...................................................................................................12Monitoring Audiometry and Record Keeping ............................................................. 12

Controlling Noise..................................................................................................15Engineering and Administrative Controls....................................................................15Hearing Protection .........................................................................................................16



Leadershipompany tandards

Standards and expectations have been defined for:

No. Result Description Action Planned Who Start Finish

1.1 yes no partialNoise exposure standard/

guideline for noise levels andexposures

1.2Supervisor roles andaccountabilities

.3 NCHC programadministrator or alternate

1.4 JHSC/H&S representativerole

1.5 urchasing policies

1.6Employee roles andexpectations

1.7 Team member

1.8

Training content and

reinforcement

.9Assessment mechanisms andrecord keeping

1.10Reviews include work scheduling, assignments, andapproval for high-risk work

Guidereference

page 7



anagement tandards


.1 yes no partial

Dedicated resources are

available for hearing lossprevention program evaluation(i.e., trained individuals andcomputer facilities).

.2

Program implementersprovide trend andaggregate information, areknowledgeable in databaseanalysis, and are committedto seeking out elusive

information with all membersof the hearing conservationteam.

.3Management shows a willingness to acknowledgeand solve problems that arise.

.4

Employees providefeedback on the program’smerits or shortcomings tomanagement and participatein the achievement of theimprovements.

.5

Supervisors have the requiredknowledge to supervisethe use and care of hearingprotection by employees.

.6

Supervisors serve as role

models by wearing hearingprotectors in appropriateareas.

.7

Supervisors counsel employees who resist wearing hearingprotectors or fail to show upfor hearing tests (audiograms)on the reasons for hearingprotection and tests.



2.8

uman resources policies andeducation are enforced whenemployees repeatedly refuse to wear hearing protectors.

2.9

Supervisors ensure that noise warning signs are posted and visible in noisy work areas asrequired in regulations.

dministrative Standards


3.1 yes no partial

ave there been any changes

in legal regulations or noiseexposure/standard guidelines?f so, have the hearing

conservation program’spolicies been modified toreflect these changes?

3.2

Are there copies of company policies and guidelinesregarding the hearingconservation program

available to those whoimplement the programelements?

3.3Are the necessary materialsand supplies being ordered with a minimum of delay?

3.4

s the performance of key NCHC program staff evaluated periodically? If such performance is foundto be less than acceptable,are steps taken to correct thesituation?

3.5

as the failure to hear warning shouts or alarmsbeen tied to any accidents orinjuries? If so, have remedialsteps been taken?



Recognizing Noise

easurements


.1 yes no partial

Are noise measurementsassessed against company standards, which areestablished in advance?

.2

Are Type 2 (or better) soundlevel meters and dosimetersused when completing a workplace noise assessment?

.3 Was the purpose of each noisestudy clearly stated?

.4Are the results of the noisesurvey communicated tosupervisors?

.5

Are results communicated

to the appropriate personnel,especially when follow-upactions are required?

.6

Were essential/critical noisestudies performed in the workplace to identify potentialhigh noise areas?

.7

Have noise-exposedemployees been notif ied of

their exposures and apprisedof auditory risks?

.8Are the results of anindividual’s audiogram keptconfidential?

Guidereference

page 7



4.9

Are results entered intohealth/medical records of noise-exposed employees andavailable only to personnelcovered by the HealthDisciplines Act (e.g., MedicalDoctor, Occupational HealthNurse, Physiotherapist,Occupational Therapist)?

4.10f noise maps exist, does the

appropriate staff use them?

4.11

ave there been changes in

areas, equipment, or processesthat have altered noiseexposure? Have follow-upnoise measurements beenconducted?

4.12

Are noise measurementresults considered whencontemplating the purchase of new equipment? Modificationof the facility? Relocation of

employees?

.13

Are appropriate steps taken toinclude (or exclude) employeesin the hearing conservationprograms whose exposureshave changed significantly?

4.14

Are high-risk jobs identified(e.g., jobs with combinednoise and exposure to

solvents, heat, vibration, orgaseous metals)?



Training and ontent


.1 yes no partial

Has training on company standards and regulations(e.g., personal protectiveequipment, reporting, controlmeasures) been conducted atleast once a year?

.2 Were the learning objectivesfor the training met?

.3Is the content revisedperiodically?

.4 Was the success of eachtraining program evaluated?

.5

Are managers, supervisors,and occupational healthdepartment employees (if applicable) directly involved?

.6Are regulations, handouts,and employee newsletters usedas supplements?

.7

Are personal counselingsessions conducted foremployees having problems

with hearing protectiondevices or showing hearingthreshold shifts?

Guidereferencepage 10



Assessing Noise

onitoring Audiometry and Record Keeping


6.1 yes no partial

as the audiometric technician(internal or contracted) beenadequately trained, certified,and re-certified as necessary?

6.2

ave the internal/contractedtechnicians performed anaudiometric test, instructedand consulted the employee,

and kept appropriate records?

6.3Are the records clear, concise,complete, and dated?

6.4ave follow-up actions been

documented?

6.5

When tested, are employeehearing threshold levelsreasonably consistent fromtest to test? If not, are thereasons for inconsistenciesinvestigated promptly?

6.6

Does the technicians’documentation show that thebackground sound levels inthe audiometer room were

low enough to permit validtesting? (ANSI S3.6-1969recommends measurementsto a minimum of 10 dB forindustrial screening purposes.)

Guidereference

page 8



.7

Does your HearingConservation documentationinclude the followingPERMANENT records?• Audiograms with history • Audiometer calibration

records/SLM andaudiometric calibrationrecords

• Audiometric techniciancertification

• Booth validation records• Sound surveys/maps and

dosimeter readings• Noise controls conducted

• New equipment noisespecifications• Types of hearing protection

used with Noise ReductionRating listed

• Educational seminars withcontent and date conducted

.8

Are the annual test resultsof employees comparedto baseline to identify the

presence of a standardthreshold shift?

.9

Are employees who incura standard threshold shift(STS) notified in writing within 21 days?

10

Is the annual incidence of standard threshold shiftgreater than 5% percent?

If so, are problem areaspinpointed and remedial stepstaken?

11

Are the results of aggregate audiometric testscommunicated to supervisorsand managers as well asemployees?



Controlling Noise

ngineering and Administrative ontrols


7.1 yes no partialHave noise control needs been

prioritized?

.2Has the cost-effectivenessof various options beenaddressed?

.3 Are the records clear, concise,complete, and dated?

7.4

Have employees andsupervisors been counseledon the operation andmaintenance of noise controldevices?

.5

Are employees and

supervisors consulted on various approaches?

.6Do employees have sound-treated lunch or break areas?

7.7Has the full potential foradministrative controls beenevaluated?

.8Are noise control projectsmonitored to ensure timely completion?

7.9Are noisy processes conductedduring shifts with feweremployees?

Guidereference

page 9



7.10

ave in-house resourcesor outside consultants beenidentified to perform the work?

7.11Are noise criteria includedin all equipment purchaseorders?

7.12

s noise exposure consideredin job task analysis, changemanagement studies, orhazard assessments?

ear ng rotect on


8.1 yes no partial

ave hearing protectorsbeen made available to allemployees whose daily averagenoise exposures are abovecompany, industry, or otherrecommended standards?

8.2

Are employees given theopportunity to select from a variety of appropriate hearingprotectors?

8.3Are employees fitted carefully with special attention tocomfort?

8.4

ow frequently is employee

retraining conductedafter completion of initialinstruction?

8.5

s personal protectiveequipment checked regularly or wear or defects, and

replaced immediately if necessary?

Guide

referencepage 9



.6If employees use disposablehearing protectors, arereplacements readily available?

.7

Does employee traininginclude hygiene andmaintenance of hearingprotectors?

.8

Have employees developedear infections or irritationsassociated with the use of hearing protectors?

.9

Are there any employees

who are unable to wear thesedevices because of medicalconditions? If yes, have theseconditions been addressedpromptly and successfully?

10

Do employees who incur ahearing loss receive intensivecounseling? Have alternativetypes of hearing protectorsbeen considered when

problems with current devicesare experienced?

11

Are new types of, orpotentially more effective,hearing protectors consideredas they become available?

12

Do employees complain thathearing protectors interfere with their ability to do their

jobs?

13Do employees interfere with spoken instructions or warning signals?

14

Are these complaints followedpromptly with counseling,noise control, or othermeasures?



8.15

Are those who fit the wearing of hearing protectorscompetent to deal with themany problems that can occur(e.g., poor fit, lack of comfort,inappropriate protector)?

8.16

Are those who supervise the wearing of hearing protectorscompetent to deal with themany problems that canoccur?

8.17

Are employees encouraged totake their hearing protectors

home if they engage in noisy non-occupational activities?

8.18s the effectiveness of the

hearing protector programevaluated regularly?

noise control & hearing audit tool

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