Hearing Conservation

HSE policy

Environmental Health and Safety shall ensure that no employee is subjected to noise that produces sound levels in excess of those established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) without approved hearing protection.

Hearing

Effects quality of life
directly related to our ability to communicate with loved ones
allows us to interact with society and nature.
          
Did You Know?

·       About 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise on the job

·       Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common occupational hazard for workers

·       Hearing loss from noise is slow and painless; you can have a disability before you notice it

·       If you must raise your voice to speak with someone only 3 feet away, you are in high     (hazardous) noise.

·       It is 100% preventable

What Is Noise?

l  Noise is any unwanted sound

l  By-product of many industrial processes, e.g. operating machinery

l  Exposure to high levels of noise may lead to hearing loss and other harmful health effects

l  Noise is measured in units called “decibels” or “dB”

Signs of Hearing Loss

l  Do you ask people to speak louder so that you can hear?

l  Do you have to turn the TV or Radio so loud that others               complain

Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss Due To Noise Exposure Is …

Painless

Permanent

Progressive

•       Temporary Hearing Loss

              - Results from short term exposure to noise

              - Hearing returns when away from the noise

•       Permanent Hearing Loss

- Results from exposure to a moderate or high level of noise over a long period of time

              -hearing loss is PERMANENT

Exposure at these levels over a work life will produce the following significant hearing losses.

EPA                      90dBA                   22%

                             85dBA                   12%

                             80dBA                     5%

 Responsibility

1. Plant VP

The plant Vice Presidents shall ensure that:

◦Procedures and practices are in place to enable the requirements to be achieved in accordance with Gasco standards and ADNOC COP’s;

◦Resources are made available and roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for implementing standards/ procedures are defined.

2. HSE Department

OAS is responsible for providing advice to enable effective implementation of Gasco standards and procedures and in particular:

◦Incorporating necessary changes to this procedure in accordance with legal, ADNOC Codes of Practice, and Gasco standard requirements and industrial best practices;

◦Conducting audits to ensure effectiveness of the application of the procedure;

◦Providing advice on developing training/awareness programs and competency requirements;

3. Administration Department

◦Scheduling and reminding employees on audiometry,

◦Results and record keeping,

◦Report any NIHL cases to HSE department.

4. Employee

Employee is responsible for:

◦Following safe work practices that reduce or prevent occupational noise exposure;

◦Attending trainings required by Hearing Conservation Programme;

◦Participating in the audiometric testing upon advise of supervisor;

◦Wearing correctly properly fitted hearing protection when necessary;

◦Caring and maintaining hearing protection device as per the procedure/ manufacturer’s instructions;

◦Observing rules pertaining to hearing conservation;

◦Notifying his supervisor when conditions, practices, or equipment are changed that may result in increased noise levels.

HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES (HPD)

When noise control measures are infeasible, or until such time as they are installed, hearing protection devices are the only way to prevent hazardous levels of noise from damaging the inner ear. Making sure that these devices are worn effectively requires continuous attention on the part of supervisors and program implementors as well as noise-exposed employees.

• Suitable and sufficient Hearing Protection Devices (HPD) i.e. earplugs and earmuffs, shall be made available for use in areas where noise level is above 80 dB (A) (earmuff is strongly recommended than ear plugs).
• Hearing protection device shall be worn in Hearing Protection Zones and where noise is at or above 85 dB (A).
• Double protection (earplugs with ear muffs) shall be worn in areas where noise levels are above 100dB (A).
• The minimum specifications for HPD shall comply with ANSI standard or equivalent.
• All hearing protection devices shall be approved by HSE Superintendent (or Project HSE for projects) for its suitability and adequacy for a particular job.
• HPD shall be maintained as per the vendor’s recommendations.

TYPES OF HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES

1. Ear Plugs
2. The use of ear plugs may be slightly uncomfortable, it may also represents potential hygiene problems, by contamination of the external ear canal (e.g. from dirty or greasy hands).
   Ear plugs:
• Must be handled with clean hands,
• Never to be reused after another person,
• May not be suitable to be used by individuals with chronic or acute external ear conditions or congenital malformations.
  There are two types of ear plugs:
1. Re-usable ear plugs (Not recommended)
   Should be non-toxic, non-irritant, durable, resistant to the work environment and smooth-surfaced.
2. Disposable ear plugs
   They can be introduced rapidly into a work station and they are also useful as a stand-by.
   Recommended to be used at a strict minimum and not for continuous work activities (e.g. for casual wearers).
3. Ear Muff

1. In general can provide good protection,
2. Should be issued on a personal basis,
3. Disposable covers made of absorbent material can be obtained to place over the ear cups to absorb sweat in hot or humid conditions.
4. Combination of Ear Plugs and Ear Muffs
5. It is sometimes necessary to provide personal protection for work in areas where very high noise levels prevail.
6. The overall attenuation given is not the arithmetic sum of the attenuation provided separately by each device.

Comparison of Hearing Protection Devices

EAR PLUGS	EAR MUFFS
Advantages
Small and easily carried. Convenient to use with other PPE (e.g. ear muffs). More comfortable for long-term wear in hot, humid work areas. Convenient for use in confined work areas.	More hygienic. Less attenuation variability among users. Designed so that one size fits most head sizes. Easily seen at a distance to assist in the monitoring of their use. Not easily misplaced or lost. May be worn with minor ear infections.
Disadvantages
Less hygienic and require more good hygienic practices. Require more time to fit. More difficult to properly insert/ fit and remove. May irritate the ear canal. Easily misplaced and lost. More difficult to see and monitor usage.

Summary

•       Constant exposure to noise over 85 dB can cause hearing damage.

•       Hearing loss cannot be cured or repaired.

•       Hearing tests are conducted annually.

•       Hearing protection devices include ear plugs, ear muffs,