Hearing Conservation Program (HCP)

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Hearing Conservation

Program (HCP)

CEHS-PR-H05

Colby Environmental, Health, and

Safety Procedures, Programs, and Policies

CEHS-PR-H05

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CHES-PR-H05 (rev: G)

Hearing Conservation Program Colby College

5500 Mayflower Hill

Waterville ME 04901 Page 2 of 8

This written program and attached procedures will be reviewed annually per Colby College policy or as required under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Noise Exposure Standard (29 CFR 1910.95). The program and procedures are amended as necessary to address workplace changes which affect noise levels procedures, including but not limited to the following:

 Machine, equipment or process changes;

 Identified program or procedure deviations or inadequacies.

REVISION DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE REVISION EFFECTIVE DATE REVISION COMPLETED BY: NAME / COMPANY MANAGER APPROVAL / DATE

A  Initial program 06/2014 Wade Behnke, _{Colby College} Mark Crosby, _{Colby College}

B

 Add Section 6.5.9

 Removed Appendix C due to use of Safety Talk

 As of 10/1/2015 no updated equipment surveys from PPD supervision

10/2015 Wade Behnke, Colby College Mark Crosby, Colby College

C

 Update PPD equipment surveys

 Added Safety Talk training requirements language  Added Appendix C, Safety

Talk

D  Update PPD equipment _surveys 03/2017 Wade Behnke, Colby College Mark Crosby, Colby College

E

 Removed equipment survey requirements and, former Appendix A

 Replaced PPD with Facilities

F  Formatted to meet CEHSPPP _style 12/2018

Wade Behnke, Colby College

Mark Crosby, Colby College

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Hearing Conservation Program Colby College 5500 Mayflower Hill Waterville ME 04901 Page 3 of 8

1.0 PURPOSE

2.0 SCOPE

3.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

4.0 DEFINITIONS

5.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

6.0 PROGRAM COMPONENTS

7.0 TRAINING

8.0 RECORDS

9.0 ENFORCEMENT

APPENDICES:

Appendix A: Employee Noise Surveys Results

Appendix B: Hear Protection Safety Talk

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1.0 PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of this HCP (Program) is to establish safe work procedures to protect Colby

College employees from hearing loss injuries related to hazardous noise exposure. The Program complies with the requirements of Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) Regulation 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure.

2.0 SCOPE

2.1 The Program applies to all Colby College employees whose typical noise exposure

exceeds the OSHA action level (85 dBA), and to all employees who work on or around the equipment identified in the HCP. Only select Facilities employees are exposed to

hazardous noise above the OSHA action level.

3.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

3.1 OSHA, Occupation Noise Exposure 29 CFR 1910.95 3.2 Employee Noise Surveys Results (Appendix A) 3.3 Hearing Protection Safety Talk (Appendix B)

4.0 DEFINITIONS

4.1 Action Level: An 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels A-weighted (85 dbA 8-hr

TWA) established by OSHA. Personnel monitoring indicated that only Groundskeepers are exposed to noise levels above the action level.

4.2 Administrative Controls: Methods that limit an employee’s exposure time to noise. This

includes assigning the employee to less noisy areas in the workplace for a certain length of time so the employee shall not exceed the action level.

4.3 Audiogram Testing: Exams that measure the sensitivity of a person's hearing threshold

in decibels as a function of frequency.

4.4 Decibels (dB): A measure of the sound level (loudness). The decibel scale is a

logarithmic scale; as an example, a 90 dB noise is ten times louder than 80 dB noise.

4.5 Decibels, A-Weighted (dBA): The A weighted is the scale used for most occupational

noise measurements. The A weighting approximates the range of human hearing by reducing the effects of lower and higher frequency noises with respect to the medium frequencies.

4.6 Hearing Conservation Program (HCP): Program established when employees are

exposed to noise exceeding the Action Level. Program must include noise surveys, audiometric testing, hearing protectors, training, and recordkeeping requirements.

4.7 Hearing Protection Devices (HPD's): Personal protective equipment that is designed

to be worn in the ear canal or over the ear to reduce the sound level reaching the ear drum. Examples include ear muffs or plugs.

4.8 Noise Dosimeter: An instrument worn by an individual that integrates the sound level

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4.9 Noise Reduction Rating (NRR): The Noise Reduction Rating of Hearing Protection

Devices (HPD) indicates the theoretical amount of reduction of noise levels that can be achieved if the HPD is worn correctly. This rating is shown on the HPD packaging.

4.10 Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 90 dBA 8-hr TWA.

4.11 Sound: A vibration or pressure oscillation that is detectable by the ear drum.

4.12 Sound Level Meter: An instrument used for the measurement of noise in sound level

surveys.

4.13 Standard Threshold Shift (STS): An average shift from the baseline measurement in

either ear of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz. These frequencies are the most important frequencies in communication and the most sensitive to damage by industrial noise exposure. See Section 3.5 Stanford Risk Management for a definition of a CAL-OSHA reportable STS.

4.14 Time-Weighted Average Sound Level (8-hr TWA): That sound level, which if constant

over an 8-hour exposure, would result in the same noise dose measured in an environment where noise level varies

.

5.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 Responsibilities for oversight and implementation of Colby College’s HCP are assigned

below. Identified personnel may designate tasks assigned to them to a qualified employee or vendor, as appropriate.

5.2 Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Director

 Provide as-needed assistance to Facilities Supervision;

 Develop a Safety Talk (Appendix C) for Facilities employees on all elements of the HCP and use of HPDs to be provided by supervision;

 Conduct employee noise monitoring using personal dosimeters and determine which job classifications are exposed to noise levels above the OSHA action level of 85 dBA for 4 hours or longer;

 Maintain all employee monitoring records, audiogram results and training records;

 Communicate the results of the annual audiograms and noise monitoring data to applicable employees; and

 Administer and maintain the written Program.

5.3 Facilities Supervision

 Require the use of HPD per PPE assessments and noise monitoring;

 Provide the supervised employees The HCP Safety Talk and provided on the job training as needed;

 Maintain an adequate supply of HPD and ensure employees properly use them in required areas or with select equipment;

 Implement and enforce this Program; and

 Schedule and verify completion of annual audiograms (Groundskeeper Supervision only).

5.4 Impacted Employees

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 Employees potentially exposed above the action level (Groundskeepers) must take an annual audiogram arranged by Supervision;

 Comply with the requirements of this HCP and wearing HPDs in required areas/equipment; and

 Report new noise hazards to Supervision.

6.0 PROGRAM COMPONENTS

6.1 Noise Monitoring Procedure

6.1.1 The EHS Director and Facilities Supervision will develop a sampling strategy and conduct representative noise monitoring. The intent of the monitoring will be to identify applicable employees for inclusion into the Hearing Conservation Program and to enable the proper selection of hearing protection.

6.1.2 All continuous, intermittent and impulsive sound levels from 80 to 140 dBA shall be integrated into the computation of an 8-hr TWA.

6.1.3 Employees exposed at or above the action level shall be notified of the results of the monitoring by the EHS Director or Supervisors.

6.1.4 Employees' noise exposure shall be reassessed periodically as needed (i.e. following changes in processes, job responsibilities, equipment or when a STS is determined).

6.2 Personnel Noise Monitoring Results

6.2.1 To date, monitoring results indicate that Groundskeepers have the

potential to be exposed above the action level and must be included in the HCP.

6.2.2 No other job classifications monitored at Colby College currently exceed the action level.

6.2.3 Current noise monitoring data is attached as Appendix A.

6.3 Audiometric Testing

6.3.1 Audiometric testing program shall be managed by Workplace Health (WPH), Waterville, Maine.

6.3.2 WPH physicians will review the results of the audiograms and determine, in the event of a standard threshold shift, if it is work related.

6.3.3 Baseline audiograms shall be provided for grounds employees at employment, and annually thereafter.

6.3.4 Ideally, baseline audiograms shall be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. This requirement may be met by wearing hearing protectors which will reduce the employee's exposure to a sound level of 80 dBA or below.

6.3.5 Employees shall be informed in writing within 21 days by the EHS

Director when an audiogram indicates a standard threshold shift which is determined to be work related.

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6.4 Equipment

6.4.1 All new equipment will be qualitatively evaluated for noise levels by the trade supervisor, unless there is manufacturer’s literature that

specifically identifies noise levels produced.

6.4.2 Any equipment or operation that requires the operator to raise their voice to be heard within three feet will be considered hearing protection required and marked with a “Hearing Protection Required” sticker. 6.4.3 All industrial and ground maintence equipment with gasoline motors are

assumed to be hearing protection required.

6.5 Hearing Protection Devices (HPD) Requirements

6.5.1 Colby Facilities employees are exposed to a variety of noise levels through the course of a typical work day. Based on personal monitoring, only Groundskeepers have the potential for an 8-hour TWA of 90 dBA or greater.

6.5.2 Regardless of trade, all Facilities employees, are required to use HPDs when operating select equipment or in identified high noise areas. Select equipment is labeled “Hearing Protection Required” stickers.

6.5.3 Hearing protectors shall be available to all Colby employees, at no cost to the employees.

6.5.4 Employees shall be given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable types.

6.5.5 Proper initial fitting, supervision and training on the correct use of hearing protectors shall be provided for grounds employees and upon request.

6.5.6 The EHS Director will evaluate hearing protector attenuation for the specific noise environments in which the protector will be used. Hearing protectors must attenuate the noise level to an 8-hour TWA of 90 dBA or less.

6.5.7 For employees who have experienced a standard threshold shift, the attenuation must reduce the sound level to an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA or less.

6.5.8 Re-evaluation of hearing protectors shall be done whenever a workplace noise level increase renders the hearing protector's attenuation

inadequate.

6.5.9 Areas at Colby College in which the noise level exceeds 85 dBA have signs posted reading "Hearing Protection Required."

6.5.10 Employees may not wear earbuds or any other personal listening device under the HPD. Full time groundskeepers will be provided with hearing protection headsets with built in radios.

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7.0 TRAINING

7.1 All Facilities Employees will receive annual training through a Facilities Safety Talk on

the HCP (Appendix B). Specifically, the training will cover the following topics.  The effects of noise on hearing;

 The purpose, advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types of hearing protectors;

 Instruction of proper fitting and care of protectors; and  The purpose and procedures of audiometric testing.

8.0 RECORDS

8.1 Noise exposure measurement records shall be retained for at least 2 years by the EHS Director.

8.2 Audiometric test records shall be retained for the duration of the impacted employee's employment by the EHS Director.

8.3 Copies of the HCP will be maintained by the EHS Director, online on the Colby College EHS webpage, and in the main Facilities office.

9.0 ENFORCEMENT

9.1 Colby College employees who fail to follow the responsibilities and procedures described

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CHES-PR-H05 (Rev: F)

5500 Mayflower Hill,

Waterville ME 04901

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Sound Monitoring HVAC/Electrical Shop George Lizzotte 2/12/2014 8:20 hours

Electrician, work orders and repair work throughout campus Cal 2/11 15:42 102.0 dba

Serial 3034 dba time Ceiling

Lmax 110 3:12 Lavg 74.2 Lavg 80 70.9 Lavg 90 68.4 Lpk >142.5 2:51 0 Dose-80 7.42% Dose-90 5.26% PDose-80 NA PDose-90 NA

Carl Rousseau 2/12/2014 8:13 hours

Plumber, work orders, chiller room, shop area, Millett Home faucet Cal 2/11 15:42:00 AM102.0 dba

Lmax 104.8 5:07 Lavg 73.8 Lavg 80 68.4 Lavg 90 59.9 Lpk 138.4 8:12 0 Dose-80 5.18% Dose-90 1.58% PDose-80 NA PDose-90 NA

Thomas Mayo 2/12/2014 8:34 hours HVAC Tech, work orders, computer work Cal 2/11 6:42 102.0 dba

Lmax 113.1 12:57 Lavg 75.1 8:34 Lavg 80 72 8:34 Lavg 90 67.9 8:34 Lpk 128.5 7:54 0 Dose-80 8.85% Dose-90 5.03% PDose-80 NA PDose-90 NA

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Sound Monitoring Custodians

Crystal Veilleux, 2/10/14 6:36 hours Cal 2/10 4:30 AM 101.9 dba

dba time Ceiling

Lmax 100.8 4:06 Lavg 68.2 Lavg 80 58.2 Lavg 90 43.4 Lpk 143 4:06 0.0 sec Dose-80 1% Dose-90 0.12% PDose-80 1.20% PDose-90 0.14%

Jay Hayes 2/11/2014 7:41 Hours Cal 2/11 6:48 102.1 dba

Lmax 110.7 7:21 Lavg 72 7:41 Lavg 80 66.7 7:41 Lavg 90 57.3 7:41 Lpk 136.1 1:51 Dose-80 3.81% Dose-90 1.04% PDose-80 3.96% PDose-90 1.08%

General custodial work Roberts

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Sound Monitoring Carpenter Shop

Russ Lozefski 2/11/2014 7:51 hours Cal 2/11 6:36 102.2 dba

Lmax 123.6 4:23 Lavg 77.8 Lavg 80 76 Lavg 90 73.3 Lpk 139.5 4:23 2.8 Dose-80 14.09% Dose-90 9.70% PDose-80 14.35% PDose-90 9.87%

Richard Goodrich 2/11/2014 7:52 hours Cal 2/11 6:38 102.1 dba

Lmax 108.4 7:44 Lavg 79.1 Lavg 80 77.3 Lavg 90 73.5 Lpk 140.8 7:44 0 Dose-80 16.88% Dose-90 10.04% PDose-80 17.13% PDose-90 10.19%

David Jacques 2/11/2014 7:51 hours Cal 2/11 6:42 102.0 dba

Lmax 99.9 7:08 Lavg 68.7 7:51 Lavg 80 60.9 7:51 Lavg 90 49.1 7:51 Lpk 132.9 3:42 0 Dose-80 1.73% Dose-90 33.00% PDose-80 1.76% PDose-90 33.00%

Carpenter work primarily in the wood shop with tools

Carpentry in the wood shop and filling work orders on campus

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Sound Monitoring Grounds Keepers

Earl Martin 2/13/2014 7:56 hours Dave Lewis 2/13/2014 7:47 hours 4 hours in Bobcat, checked campus

Cal 2/12 1840 102.0 dba Cal 2/12 16:00 PM 102.0 dba

Serial 3142 dba time Ceiling Serial 3034 dba time Ceiling

Lmax 123 7:56 Lmax 113.5 3:34 Lavg 82.3 Lavg 74.8 Lavg 80 81.2 Lavg 80 71.1 Lavg 90 78.1 Lavg 90 59.6 Lpk 141 7:56 Lpk >142.5 3:34 0 Dose-80 29.51% Dose-80 7.07% Dose-90 19.08% Dose-90 1.44% PDose-80 29.74% PDose-80 7.26% Dose-80 19.22% PDose-90 1.42%

Earl Michuad2/10/2014 2:16 hours Ethan Weeks 2/13/2014 7:58 hours

recycling, driving PU

Cal 2/10 12:00 102.0 dba Cal 2/12 16:00 PM 102.1 dba

Lmax 111.5 1:10 Lmax 113.9 7:50 Lavg 82.6 Lavg 72 Lavg 80 81 Lavg 80 66 Lavg 90 77.5 Lavg 90 58.4 Lpk 133.6 0:33 0 Lpk >142.7 4:32 Dose-80 8.11% Dose-80 3.60% Dose-90 5.00% Dose-90 1.25% PDose-80 28.63% PDose-80 3.61% PDose-90 17.68% PDose-90 1.25%

Kevin Chase 2/13/2014 8:02 hours John Mazzeo 2/14/2014 9:55 hours

storm clean up, John Deer snow blower

Cal 2/12 1600 PM 102.0 dba Cal 2/13 15:30 PM 102.1 dba

Lmax 129.6 1:41 Lmax 102.2 8:31 Lavg 73.7 Lavg 90.5 Lavg 80 68.6 Lavg 80 90.4 Lavg 90 63.7 Lavg 90 89.8 Lpk 138.5 1:41 4.3 s Lpk 130.2 0:00 0 Dose-80 5.20% Dose-80 130.93% Dose-90 2.62% Dose-90 119.93% PDose-80 NA PDose-80 NA PDose-90 NA PDose-90 NA

Edger, zamboni worked in rink

recycling, driving PU

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Kevin Chase 2/14/2014 9:54 hours storm clean up operation of the small Kubota tractor Cal 2/13 15:30 PM 102.0 dba

Lmax 122.7 0:00 Lavg 91.2 9:54 Lavg 80 91.1 9:54 Lavg 90 90.9 9:54 Lpk 137.7 0:00 0 Dose-80 145.59% Dose-90 140.24% PDose-80 NA PDose-90 NA

Nick Geior 2/14/2014 9:47 hours storm clean up operation of the large Kubota tractor Cal 2/13 15:30 PM 102.0 dba

Lmax 117.7 5:40 Lavg 81.5 9:47 Lavg 80 80 9:47 Lavg 90 56.4 9:47 Lpk >143.2 4:04 0 Dose-80 30.69% Dose-90 1.16% PDose-80 NA PDose-90 NA

Andy Landry 2/14/2014 13:12 Hourds Cal 2/13 15:30 PM 102.0 dba

Lmax 105.2 :18 Lavg 78.1 13:13 Lavg 80 75.3 13:13 Lavg 90 53.6 13:13 Lpk 136.3 2:32 0 Dose-80 21.46% Dose-90 1.06% PDose-80 NA PDose-90 NA

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Ethan Weeks 7/21/2014 5:50 hours Nick Grioux 7/22/2014 6:00

Cal 7/21 900 114.0 db Cal 7/22 900 114.0 db

Serial 7702 dba Ser 10347 dba

Lavg 80 93.1 Lavg 80 74.5 Lavg 90 92.8 Lavg 90 66.9 Lpk 135.5 Lpk 143.5 Dose-80 111.80% Dose-80 8.70% Dose-90 107.10% Dose-90 3.00% PDose-80 153.00% PDose-80 11.60% PDose-90 146.60% PDose-90 4.10%

Rodney Ferland 7/21/2014 5:50 hours Marcus Godin 7/22/2014 6:00

Cal 7/21 9:00 114 db Cal 7/22 900 114.0 db

Lavg 80 85.8 Lavg 80 75.3 Lavg 90 64.4 Lavg 90 68.3 Lpk 129 Lpk 138.9 Dose-80 40.50% Dose-80 9.70% Dose-90 2.10% Dose-90 3.70% PDose-80 55.40% PDose-80 13.00% PDose-90 2.90% PDose-90 5.00%

Nick Grioux 7/21/2014 5:52 Chris Delisle 7/22/2014 6:00

Cal 2/12 1600 PM 102.0 dba Cal 7/22 900 114.0 db

Ser 10347 dba Serial 7702 dba

Lavg 80 78.4 Lavg 80 75.9 Lavg 90 70.3 Lavg 90 71 Lpk 138.4 Lpk 142.2 Dose-80 14.70% Dose-80 10.60% Dose-90 4.80% Dose-90 5.40% PDose-80 20.00% PDose-80 14.20% PDose-90 6.50% PDose-90 7.20%

Kevin Chase 2/14/2014

storm clean up operation of the small Kubota tractor Cal 2/13 15:30 PM 102.0 dba

Zero turn big block Ferris

Trimmer small mower Big Toro Mower

Trimmer small mower

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Serial 5653 dba time Lmax 122.7 0:00 Lavg 91.2 9:54 Lavg 80 91.1 9:54 Lavg 90 90.9 9:54 Lpk 137.7 0:00 Dose-80 145.59% Dose-90 140.24% PDose-80 NA PDose-90 NA Nick Geior 2/14/2014

storm clean up operation of the large Kubota tractor Cal 2/13 15:30 PM 102.0 dba

Serial 5664 dba time

Lmax 117.7 5:40 Lavg 81.5 9:47 Lavg 80 80 9:47 Lavg 90 56.4 9:47 Lpk >143.2 4:04 Dose-80 30.69% Dose-90 1.16% PDose-80 NA PDose-90 NA Andy Landry 2/14/2014 Cal 2/13 15:30 PM 102.0 dba

Serial 3034 dba time

Lmax 105.2 :18 Lavg 78.1 13:13 Lavg 80 75.3 13:13 Lavg 90 53.6 13:13 Lpk 136.3 2:32 Dose-80 21.46% Dose-90 1.06% PDose-80 NA PDose-90 NA

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Sound Monitoring Grounds Keepers Winter storm cleanup on 1/3/19 Duration 5:41

Dave Lewis Chad Pierce

T80 Lavg 87.8 T80 Lavg 83.2 T90 Lavg 84.4 T90 Lavg 72.1 Lpk 139.7 Lpk 143.5 Dose-80 52.50% Dose-80 27.60% Dose-90 32.60% Dose-90 5.90% PDose-80 73.80% PDose-80 38.70% PDose-90 45.80% PDose-90 8.30%

Hanna Baglivi Joe Jacques

T80 Lavg 86.4 T80 Lavg None

T90 Lavg 82.6 T90 Lavg None

Lpk 143.5 Lpk 140.2 Dose-80 43.50% Dose-80 0.80% Dose-90 25.70% Dose-90 0.10% PDose-80 61.00% PDose-80 1.10% PDose-90 36.00% PDose-90 0.10% John Deere 1 John Deere 3 John Deere 2 Large Kubota

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CHES-PR-H05 (Rev: F)

5500 Mayflower Hill,

Waterville ME 04901

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Hearing Conservation Program (HCP)