1. Timber Products Manufacturers Association
Hearing Conservation
Timber Products Manufacturers Association

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

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

15. 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

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

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