751 Hearing Conservation Program Management

Program Evaluation Checklist

Referrals

Referrals to outside sources for consultation or treatment are sometimes in order, but they can be an expensive element of the hearing conservation program, and should not be undertaken unnecessarily. Questions related to referrals include:

1. Are referral procedures clearly specified?
2. Have letters of agreement between the company and consulting physicians or audiologists been executed?
3. Have mechanisms been established to ensure employees needing evaluation or treatment actually receive the service (i.e., transportation, scheduling, and reminders)?
4. Are records properly transmitted to the physician or audiologist, and back to the company?
5. If medical treatment is recommended, does the employee understand the condition requiring treatment, the recommendation, and methods for obtaining such treatment?
6. Are employees being referred unnecessarily?

Program Evaluation:

Regularly assess the program's effectiveness using established metrics. Annually review the program to ensure effectiveness and correct any issues. Questions related to program evaluation include:

1. Have there been any changes in federal or state regulations? Have the hearing conservation program's policies been modified to reflect these changes?
2. Are copies of company policies and guidelines regarding the hearing conservation program available in the offices that support the various program elements? Are those who implement the program elements aware of these policies? Do they comply?
3. Are necessary materials and supplies being ordered with a minimum of delay?
4. Are procurement officers overriding the hearing conservation program implementer's requests for specific hearing protectors or other hearing loss prevention equipment? If so, have corrective steps been taken?

See these sample hearing conservation program checklists.

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