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PPE Selection » Hearing Protection
Figure 1: Workers with appropriate hearing protection
Figure 1: Workers with appropriate hearing protection.

The OSHA Hierarchy of Controls
  1. Engineering Controls
  2. Administration Controls
  3. 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 2: Grinder with ear muffs.

Figure 3: Ear plugs
Figure 3: Ear plugs.

Figure 4: Ear muffs
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
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