Welcome to Safety Watch, a newsletter that provides an update on current loss-control regulatory and technical issues.

CONTENTS

NATLSCO (cover page)

OSHA’s new Cold Stress Card offers tips to protect outdoor workers

Have you followed all of OSHA's Noise Standard requirements?

These tips will help you avoid employee apathy during training

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Have you followed all of OSHA’s Noise Standard requirements?

by Ray Stone, CIH

Many employers believe they are in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Noise Standard, 29 CFR 1910.95.

They believe they are in compliance if all the following conditions have been met:

• Noise levels have been measured.

• A written Hearing Conservation Program has been developed, including training on the effect of noise and use of personal hearing protection.

• Audiometric examinations have been administered.

• Several types of personal hearing protection with adequate Noise Reduction Ratings (NRRs) for full-shift, time-weighted average sound pressure levels have been provided.

One aspect of the standard frequently overlooked, however, is 29 CFR 1910. 95 (l), which states: “For those facilities where noise levels are in excess of 85 dBA based on a full-shift time-weighted average, the employer shall make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of this standard and shall also POST a copy in the workplace.”

A common misconception is the Noise Standard is one of the posters seen on the multi-poster products containing other government-required notices. These multi-poster products are available from a number of sources. However, the Noise Standard poster is not included.

A copy of the OSHA Noise Standard, 29 CFR 1910.95, is available from Natlsco in a poster format approximately equal to the size of the OSHA Information poster.

If you have questions concerning the Noise Standard, need a study to determine if your facility is required to post a copy of the Noise Standard or if you’d like to obtain a copy of this poster, please contact:

Jeff Milosch, CIH
Natlsco Risk and Safety Consulting
Phone: (888) 576-7522, ext. 3725
Fax: (847) 726-3349
E-mail: jmilosch@us.bureauveritas.com