Anatomy of the Ear
Noise
PPE
Hearing Loss
Bonus
100
Name the 3 sections of your ear?
100
What are the 3 main categories of noise control?
Engineering
•If noise levels are above 90dBA, OSHA requires engineering controls to reduce the noise in the workplace.
•Interpretation of this requirement over the years has identified that if it’s economically and technically feasible, noise control needs to be implemented between 90 and 100 dBA.
•Above 100 dBA, if it’s technically feasible then noise control must be implemented regardless of cost.
Administrative
•Administrative controls while an option, are not ideal to control noise exposures. Examples are shift rotation and maximum exposure time limits that may be implemented in our policies
Personal Protective Equipment
•Ear plugs, earmuffs are the most common.
100
Give 3 examples of when hearing protection should be used at home and 3 at work.
100
Most common work-related illness? (is this a trick question)
Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
•Most common work-related illness
•Damage to hearing depends how loud the noise is, and
•How long you are exposed to it
100
What was the Primary HSE topic at last months HSE Meeting?
200
What is the main function of the Outer Ear?
The outer ear concentrates air vibrations on the eardrum to make the eardrum vibrate.
200
What is OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for noise?
90 dBA PEL and 85 dBA action limit
200
Name 3 types of hearing protection
200
What are some of the warning signs of hearing loss?
•Have trouble hearing people talk when there is background noise
•People sound like they are mumbling
•Often must ask people to repeat what they say
•Turn up the radio or TV a lot
•Have difficulty hearing people on the phone
•Have constant ringing in your ears
•Tinnitus
•Constant ringing in ears (or hissing, buzzing, roaring, chirping, or whistling sound)
•50 million people in the U.S. have tinnitus
200
What was last months Safe Driving Topic?
Aggressive Driving
300
What is the main function of the middle ear?
The main function of the middle ear is to carry sound waves from the outer ear to the inner ear, which contains the cochlea and where sound input can be communicated to the brain. Sound waves are funneled into the outer ear and strike the tympanic membrane, causing it to vibrate.
These vibrations are carried through the three ossicles, and the stapes strikes the oval window, which separates the middle ear from the inner ear. When the oval window is hit, it causes waves in the fluid inside the inner ear and sets into motion a chain of events leading to the interpretation of sound as we know it.4
300
1. Are you currently in an hearing conservation program?
2. When should you be in a hearing conservation program?
Monitoring: 1910.95(d)
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 monitoring program.
Audiometric Testing Program: 1910.95(g)(1)
The employer shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided in this paragraph by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.
Hearing Protectors: 1910.95(i)
"Employers shall make hearing protectors available to all employees exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater at no cost to the employees. Hearing protectors shall be replaced as necessary.
Training Program: 1910.95(k)
The employer shall train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of this section. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program
Recordkeeping 1910.95(m)
The employer shall maintain an accurate record of all employee exposure measurements. The employer shall retain employee audiometric test records.
300
How do you properly install a foam ear plug? How do you know if it is done properly?
300
Name some of the ways you can improve your hearing loss.
Causes no pain
Noise induced hearing loss:
Causes no visible trauma
Leaves no visible scars
Is unnoticeable in its earliest stages
Accumulates with each overexposure
Takes years to notice a change
300
Describe one of the three NM/HO covered in the February HSE Meeting
1. Water line header starting to leak
2. . While he was thawing out supply regulators for the suction controller, part of a hose for the coolant blew off the top of the units engine, landing about 15’ away, on a portable buy gas meter trailer.
3. Aggressive Driving
400
What happens to your Cochlea when its exposed to high noise levels?
400
What is the difference between a sound level meter and a noise dosimeter? What situations are they used in?
400
What does the NRR actually mean when it comes to hearing protection? When should you consider double hearing protection?
Noise reduction rating
400
Name 3 causes of hearing loss.
400
Name every team in the 2023 NFL Playoffs
500
How does your ear interpret noise?
1. The Pinna- the outer ear- collects the sound vibrations
2. The Ear Canal- funnels the sound vibrations towards the ear drum
3. The Ear Drum- made to vibrate by the sound vibrations
4. The Hammer, Anvil and Stirrup- passes on the vibrations from the ear drum to the cochlea
5. The Cochlea- the vibrations are translated into electrical signals which the brain can recognise from the CILIA
6. The Auditory Nerve- the electric signals are passed on from the cochlea to the brain
500
A landowner is complaining that your compressor is loud and causing his family headaches. His house is 100 yards away and he will not let you on his property.
1. How do you determine if his claim is valid?
2. If it is valid what is the best way to remediate.
Engineering controls are the best way to fix noise problems. Sound walls, equipment barriers and mufflers.
500
What is your protection factor (PF) if you are using double hearing protection?
Foam plugs: 30 NRR
Muffs: 20 NRR
PF= 35 NRR
Take the highest rating and add 5 dBA
OSHA Method
500
1. When should you get a hearing test?
2. When should you get hearing aids?
1. When it is required for work or you are showing any signs of hearing loss.
2. Typically moderate and higher hearing losses in 300-8K frequencies.
500
Largest Football Stadium in US (capacity)
1) Michigan Stadium:
The Michigan Stadium tops the list at number 1 being the largest stadium in America and the 3 rd largest stadium in the world. It has the nickname of ‘The Big House’ and for a very good reason, this super-size stadium is a monster. The Big House is home to the Michigan Wolverines and is the base of The University of Michigan American football team based in Ann Arbor.
Maximum capacity: 109,901