{"id":1354,"date":"2020-04-15T22:49:54","date_gmt":"2020-04-15T22:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianahearingspecialists.com\/?p=1354"},"modified":"2020-04-17T22:10:23","modified_gmt":"2020-04-17T22:10:23","slug":"workplace-hearing-regulations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianahearingspecialists.com\/workplace-hearing-regulations\/","title":{"rendered":"Workplace Hearing Regulations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Workplaces can get very loud. And while\nmany of us are doing our jobs from home, understanding the rules and\nregulations can better prepare you for when you return to the office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Occupational Safety and Health Act<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Orange<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In 1970, the groundbreaking Occupational\nSafety and Health Act<\/a> (OSHA) was passed.\nThis established clear guidelines, standard protections and safety regulations\nthat employers have to follow to keep their workers safe.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One important part of OSHA is the regulation of hazardous noise levels as they pertain to hearing loss<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noise Exposure at Work <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OSHA mandates the exposure to continuous\nnoise above 85 dB, the widely accepted safe level of noise, be monitored. With\neach increase in decibels, the maximum amount of time an employee is allowed to\nbe exposed to that noise per day decreases. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regulations are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hearing conservation program must be\ninstituted when an employee is exposed to eight hours or more of noise exposure\nabove 85 dB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employers must monitor all noises\n(continuous, intermittent and impulse) between 80 and 130 dB. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employees must be informed of the risks\nof noise-induced hearing loss and all additional health risks associated with\nnoise exposure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A baseline hearing evaluation must be\ngiven to employees who have been exposed to loud noises within six months of\nemployment. After the baseline assessment, employees must be provided with a\nyearly evaluation completed by a licensed audiologist; this exam must be free\nof charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employees exposed to hazardously loud noises are required to be provided with hearing protection<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employers must conduct a yearly training\nabout the importance of hearing protection for all employees who are exposed to\nmore than eight hours of noises measuring 85 dB or higher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Records must be kept of all employees\u2019\nexposure to unsafe noise levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rights of Workers <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While OSHA lays out regulations for\nemployers to follow, it is important to understand your rights as a worker. You\nhave the right to a safe place to work and freedom from being affected by\nnoises loud enough to cause hearing loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional workers\u2019 rights include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ability to request a workplace\ninspection if an employee feels that their employer is not complying to the\nsafety requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Training in a language they understand on\nthe hazards of working in a noisy environment and how they can properly protect\nthemselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receiving a copy of their audiograms and\nany other information obtained at their hearing evaluation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receiving a copy of their health records\nand ability to review the records kept by their employer about their illnesses\nor work-related injuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ability to use these rights without\nfear of retaliation or discrimination from their employer. \n\nUnderstanding these rights can ensure that\nemployers create a safe space and employees can work without fear of being\ninjured. To learn more about the dangers of loud noises, contact the experts at\nIndiana Hearing Specialists. \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn More About Hearing Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n