Purpose: The purpose of this program is to establish and maintain procedures to protect employees against the effects of noise exposure.

Scope: Applies to all employees working at Duer/Carolina Coil.

Remarks: Radios in a work place are a privilege that must be earned and maintained. Due to the nature of the work environment, radios must be played very loudly in order to be heard over the production equipment. Additionally, the radios can be a distraction to our attention to maintaining a safe work environment, producing a quality product and communicating with fellow employees, vendors or customers. Therefore, the following guidelines apply to the use of radios in the production areas of Duer/Carolina Coil:

1. The Production Manager determines when radios can be used in any production area.
2. Only operators who are certified in the skill area in which they are working and have at least one operator skill block may have a radio in their work area.
3. Radios must be positioned before work time and removed after work time is complete.
4. Extension cords may not be used with radios as this increases the chance for shocking or a trip hazard.
5. Radios must be turned down by the person using it if another employee needs to work or communicate in the area.
6. Duer/Carolina Coil is in no way responsible for the security of any personal item brought onto the premises.

Definitions: A sampling of work areas will be monitored, using a noise dosimeter to check an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) on the A Scale (slow response), or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent, to determine which areas will require hearing protection.

If there are changes in machinery or production processes, or if Duer/Carolina Coil, Inc. determines that there are increased noise levels, remonitoring will be conducted.

Responsibilities:

1. When information indicates that any employee’s exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer shall develop and implement a Hearing Problem.
2. The Manufacturing Manager will develop, implement and maintain this program.
3. All employees shall comply with this work instruction.

Task Description:

1. In accordance with OSHA standard 1910.95, a Q-300 noise dosimeter was used to obtain a Time Weighted Average (TWA) of machines and equipment throughout the plants. As a result of these readings, the following machines will require all personnel to wear hearing protection:
   1. Whenever using air powered tools or equipment, regardless of location, including outside.
   2. Building B: Inside the Powder Coat Booth when cleaning with air.
   3. Building C:
      1. #C-70 FS-12 Schenker Double Disc Grinder
      2. #C-71 FS08 Schenker Double Disc Grinder
      3. #C-120 Shotpeen
      4. #C-122 Shotpeen
      5. #C-1 CNC Coiler
      6. #C-7 Coiler
   4. Building D: All personnel  will be required to wear hearing protection while in Building D, with the exception of the lunchroom, maintenance office, inspection room, manager’s office or restrooms.  Visitors on tours or outside contractors will be in the production areas for less than 4 hours are not considered occupational exposures.
2. Once the areas of concern have been established, employees will be trained, at least yearly, in the proper use and care of hearing protection and be required to use it. Hearing protection will be provided to the employees at no cost. Videos and/or booklets will be provided for the purpose of this training.
3. At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer shall obtain a new audiogram for each employee.
4. If there are changes in machinery or production processes, or if Duer/Carolina Coil, Inc. determines that there are increased noise levels, monitoring will be conducted.
5. The Human Resources Assistant will maintain the training records as part of the employee's training file.  The employee's audiogram results will be kept in the employee's personnel file.  The Human Resources Assistant will maintain the summary reports from the testing agency as a quality record.

Related Documents: None.