751 Hearing Conservation Program Management

Program Evaluation Checklist

Employee Testing and Measurement

Regular testing is essential, with clear policies for referrals and further testing. Define the use and maintenance of hearing protectors and address non-compliance.

For noise measurements to be useful, they need to be related to noise exposure risks or the prioritization of noise control efforts, rather than merely filed away. In addition, the results need to be communicated to the appropriate personnel, especially when follow-up actions are required. Questions related to employee testing and measurement include:

1. Were the essential/critical noise studies performed?
2. Was the purpose of each noise study clearly stated? Have noise-exposed employees been notified of their exposures and apprised of auditory risks?
3. Are the results routinely transmitted to supervisors and other key individuals?
4. Are results entered into health/medical records of noise exposed employees?
5. Are results entered into shop folders?
6. If noise maps exist, are they used by the proper staff?
7. Are noise measurement results considered when contemplating procurement of new equipment? Modifying the facility? Relocating employees?
8. Have there been changes in areas, equipment, or processes that have altered noise exposure? Have follow-up noise measurements been conducted?
9. Are appropriate steps taken to include (or exclude) employees in the hearing conservation programs whose exposures have changed significantly?

Education and Training

Provide varied and frequent training sessions using different methods. Define the content and frequency of training clearly. Questions related to education and training include:

1. Has training been conducted at least once a year?
2. Was the training provided by a qualified instructor?
3. Was the success of each training program evaluated?
4. Is the content revised periodically?
5. Are managers and supervisors directly involved?
6. Are posters, regulations, handouts, and employee newsletters used as supplements?
7. Are personal counseling sessions conducted for employees having problems with hearing protection devices or showing hearing threshold shifts?

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.