Timber Products Manufacturers Association Hearing Conservation Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Timber Products Manufacturers Association Effects of noise Causes hearing loss Amount of damage depends upon the intensity of the noise and duration of exposure Noise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or permanent Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Timber Products Manufacturers Association Effects of noise Prolonged exposure generally causes permanent damage Noise-induced permanent threshold shift is not reversible/cannot be medically treated Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Timber Products Manufacturers Association Effects of noise Noise-induced hearing loss typically starts with hearing threshold shifts in the higher frequencies The type of hearing loss can be identified and measured with audiometric examination Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Timber Products Manufacturers Association Noise hazards Noise is unwanted/unpleasant sound that may have a negative effect depending on: loudness/frequency duration of exposure how old/healthy person is Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Timber Products Manufacturers Association Noise hazards Sound is measured by: frequency intensity Noise types include: wide band narrow band impulse Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Timber Products Manufacturers Association Noise hazards Hearing protection must be provided when noise equals or exceeds an eight-hour time- weighted average of 85dB Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Noise hazards can cause: Drowsiness and irritability Inability to hear important instructions High blood pressure, ulcers, headaches Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Noise hazards can cause: Sleeping disorders Temporary or permanent hearing loss Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Timber Products Manufacturers Association Control measures Isolate noisy machinery in a separate area Place machinery on rubber mountings Use sound-absorbing acoustical tiles Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Timber Products Manufacturers Association Control measures Arrange work schedules to reduce employee exposure to noise Inform supervisors of unpleasant/ unacceptable noise levels Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Timber Products Manufacturers Association Hearing protection Factors taken into account when selecting hearing protection devices include: noise hazards noise frequencies fit and comfort noise reduction rating Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Purpose/procedure for audiometric testing Checks a person’s hearing Trained technician uses an audiometer to send sounds through headphones Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Purpose/procedure for audiometric testing Person being tested responds to the sounds when they are first heard Chart records responses Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Hearing protection makes common sense You are ultimately responsible for your own hearing You have the most to lose if you suffer hearing loss Make sure earplugs fit properly Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Hearing protection makes common sense Have an annual hearing test Keep hearing protection devices in good operation Timber Products Manufacturers Association

Hearing protection makes common sense Don’t use homemade hearing protection devices Wear hearing protection devices at work as required Timber Products Manufacturers Association