
Figure 1: Workers with appropriate hearing protection.
The OSHA
Hierarchy of Controls
- Engineering Controls
- Administration Controls
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Workers exposed to excessive noise must
use appropriate PPE including ear plugs, muffs, or both when
engineering or administrative
controls are not feasible to reduce exposure.
Hearing protection is part of a hearing conservation program,
which is required when noise exposure exceeds the action level [85
decibels on the A scale (dBA)].
Selection and Use of Hearing Protection |

Figure 2: Grinder with ear muffs.

Figure 3: Ear plugs.

Figure 4: Ear muffs.
Potential Hazards:
Some operations in the shipyard produce excessive
noise, which may lead to hearing loss. Some of the loudest ship
repair operations
include:
- Abrasive blasting
- Needle gunning
- Scaling
- Grinding
- Carbon Arcing/Arc gouging
- Pneumatic pumps
- High-pressure steam cleaning
- Ventilation equipment
Requirements and Example Solutions:
- Develop and implement an effective Hearing
Conservation Program when action level is exceeded. [29 CFR 1910.95(c)]
- Follow hearing protection requirements. [29 CFR 1910.95(a)]
- Hearing protectors are required when noise levels exceed the
OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 90 dBA measured as a
time-weighted average (TWA). [29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1)]
- Hearing protectors must reduce noise to acceptable levels
which may require dual use of ear plugs and muffs.[29 CFR 1910.95(j)]
- Review the Noise Reduction Ratings (NRR) for the specific
hearing protection devices. [29 CFR 1910.95
Appendix B: Methods for estimating the
adequacy of hearing protector attenuation]
- Note: 5 dB can be added to the NRR of the most protective
device when using both ear plugs and muffs.
Additional Resources:
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Hearing Conservation Program |
When the worker's noise exposure equals or exceeds an
8-hour time-weighted average of 85
decibels on the A scale (dBA), the employer shall develop and implement a
hearing conservation program. [29 CFR 1910.95(c)]
A
hearing conservation program consists of the following elements:
- Monitoring noise levels
- Audiometric testing (hearing test)
- Training
- Hearing protection
Additional Resources:
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