Answers to Questions Your Employees May Ask (NIOSH)

Q:	Don't we lose our hearing as we age?
A:	It's true that most people's hearing test gets worse as they get older. But for the average person, aging does not cause impaired hearing before at least the age of 60. People who are not exposed to noise and are otherwise healthy, keep their hearing for many years. People who are exposed to noise and do not protect their hearing begin to lose their hearing at an early age. For example, by age 25 the average carpenter has "50-year old" ears! That is, by age 25, the average carpenter has the same hearing as someone who is 50 years old and has worked in a quiet job.
Q:	Can you poke out your eardrums with earplugs?
A:	That is unlikely for two reasons. First, the average ear canal is about 1¼ inches long. The typical ear plug is between ½ to ¾ inch long. So even if you inserted the entire earplug, it would still not touch the eardrum. Second, the path from the opening of the ear canal to the eardrum is not straight. In fact, it is quite irregular. This prevents you from poking objects into the eardrum.
Q:	We work in a dusty, dirty place. Should I worry that our ears will get infected by using earplugs?
A:	Using earplugs will not cause an infection. But use common sense. Have clean hands when using earplugs that need to be rolled or formed with your fingers in order for you to insert them. If this is inconvenient, there are plenty of earplugs that are pre-molded or that have stems so that you can insert them without having to touch the part that goes into the ear canal.
Q:	Can you hear warning sounds, such as backup beeps, when wearing hearing protectors?
A:	The fact is that there are fatal injuries because people do not hear warning sounds. However, this is usually because the background noise was too high or because the person had severe hearing loss, not because someone was wearing hearing protectors. Using hearing protectors will bring both the noise and the warning sound down equally.

	So if the warning sound is audible without the hearing protector, it will usually be audible when wearing the hearing protector. For the unusual situations where this is not the case, the solution may be as simple as using a different hearing protector. Also, many warning systems can be adjusted or changed so warning signals are easier to detect.
Q:	Won't hearing protectors interfere with our ability to hear important sounds our machinery and equipment make?
A:	Hearing protectors will lower the noise level of your equipment; it won't eliminate it. However, some hearing protectors will reduce certain frequencies more than others; so wearing them can make noises sound different. In cases where it's important that the sound just be quieter without any other changes, there are hearing protectors that can provide flat attenuation. There are also noise-activated hearing protectors that allow normal sounds to pass through the ear and only "turn-on" when the noise reaches hazardous levels. There are even protectors that professional concert musicians use that can lower the sound level while retaining sound fidelity.
Q:	Will we be able to hear each other talk when wearing hearing protectors?
A:	Some people find they can wear hearing protectors and still understand speech. Others will have trouble hearing speech while wearing hearing protectors. Being able to hear what other people say depends on many things: distance from the speaker, ability to see the speaker's face, general familiarity with the topic, level of background noise, and whether or not one has an existing hearing impairment. In some cases, wearing hearing protectors can make it easier to understand speech. In other instances, people may be using hearing protectors to keep out too much sound. You may need a protector that reduces the sound enough to be safe without reducing the sound too much to hear speech at a comfortably loud level. For those people who work in noise and must communicate, it may also be necessary to use communication headsets. Allow your employees to try different protectors. Some will work better than others at helping them to hear speech, and different protectors may work better for different people.
Q:	How long does it take to get used to hearing protectors?
A:	Think about getting a new pair of shoes. Some shoes take no time to get used to. Others, even though they are the right size, can take a while to get used to. Hearing protectors are no different from other safety equipment in terms of getting used to them. But if hearing protectors are the wrong size, or are worn out, they will not be comfortable. Also, workers may need more than one kind of protector at their job. For example, no one would wear golf shoes to go bowling. If hearing protectors are not suitable for the work being done, they probably won't feel comfortable.
Q:	How long can someone be in a loud noise before it's hazardous?
A:	The degree of hearing hazard is related to both the level of the noise as well as to the duration of the exposure. But this question is like asking how long can people look at the sun without damaging their eyes. The safest thing to do is to ensure workers always protect their ears by wearing hearing protectors anytime they are around loud noise.
Q:	How can I tell if a noise situation is too loud?
A:	There are two rules: First, if you have to raise your voice to talk to someone who is an arm's length away, then the noise is likely to be hazardous. Second, if your ears are ringing or sounds seem dull or flat after leaving a noisy place, then you probably were exposed to hazardous noise.

Q:	How often should your hearing be tested?
A:	Anyone regularly exposed to hazardous noise should have an annual hearing test. Also, anyone who notices a change in his/her hearing (or who develops tinnitus) should have his or her ears checked. People who have healthy ears and who are not exposed to hazardous noise should get a hearing test every three years.
Q:	Since I already have hearing loss and wear a hearing aid, hearing prevention programs don't apply to me, right?
A:	If you have hearing loss, it's important to protect the hearing that you have left. Loud noises can continue to damage your hearing making it even more difficult to communicate at work and with your family and friends.

State-Plan States Move Forward with Ergonomics Rules

California—Title 8, Section 5110, Ergonomics Rule

The State of California Department of Industrial Relations began to develop the nation’s first rule addressing repetitive motion injuries in the mid-1990s. The rulemaking was mandated by a provision in a workers’ compensation bill passed by the California Legislature in 1993 which required that the Cal/OSHA Standards Board promulgate an ergonomics standard designed to prevent injuries caused by repetitive motion. In November 1996, Section 5110, Repetitive Motion Injuries, a new section to the California Title 8, General Industry Safety Orders was adopted.

The standard applies repetitive motion injuries that are work-related (50 percent or more of the worker’s job) which have been identified and diagnosed by a licensed physician. Covered employers must establish and implement a program that includes a worksite evaluation, control of exposures which have caused repetitive motion injuries, and training for employees. Employers with nine or fewer employees are exempted. Since the rule became effective on July 3, 1997, Cal/OSHA has issued several citations under it.

Washington—Part 296-62-05101

Following California’s lead, in May 2000, the state of Washington became the country’s second state to adopt its own ergonomics rule. To ensure that the rule will work correctly before any enforcement occurs, the Department of Labor and Industries (LandI) implemented voluntary demonstration projects prior to enforcement.

The ergonomics rule requires employers to evaluate jobs to identify potential ergonomic risks such as awkward posture, frequent or heavy lifting, hand-arm vibration, force, or highly repetitive motion. Employers will have to reduce employee exposure when it is determined that jobs meet these risk factors and provide basic ergonomics education for employees who work in or supervise high risk jobs.

Revised: 2002/10
The rule is being phased in over a five year period, beginning in July 2002. Implementation dates range from July 1, 2002 through July 1, 2006, but enforcement will be delayed until July 2004. The two-year enforcement delay means that LandI will impose no penalties under the rule for two years after each effective date on the timeline.

Alaska

Revised: 2002/10

Alaska’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development has held state-wide meetings to get public input on developing regulations for several safety and health issues, including ergonomics. The Department will evaluate and incorporate public input from these meetings into draft regulations, and propose in a formal rulemaking process.

Minnesota

Revised: 2002/10

In February 2002, Minnesota legislators introduced bills that would require the state’s commissioner of labor and industry to adopt a standard regulating workplace ergonomic hazards. The bills mandate rules addressing ergonomic risk factors for awkward postures; force; repetitive motions; repeated impacts; heavy, frequent, or awkward lifting; and vibration. They would cover all industries where workers are exposed to workplace ergonomic hazards and where there are economically and technologically feasible measures to control these hazards. In June, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry established a task force to review the state’s current approach to ergonomic issues and make recommendations for future actions.

NIOSH Develops Guide for Ergonomics Program Development

In 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued guidelines for developing practical and cost-effective approaches to protecting workers from job-related musculoskeletal disorders. It describes the basic elements of a workplace program aimed at preventing work-related MSDs by focusing on management commitment, worker participation, and training as essential elements in an overall ergonomics program. It also includes a "toolbox" which is a collection of techniques, methods, reference materials, and other resource information to help employers develop a successful program.

Elements of Ergonomics Programs: A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders outlines methods that are commonly used for identifying, correcting, and preventing MSDs. The book, a culmination of two decades of NIOSH research, contains many illustrations and charts on how those techniques can be tailored for specific types of workplaces. It covers these basic steps for controlling work-related musculoskeletal disorders:

• Determine if musculoskeletal problems exist.

• Develop roles for both managers and workers in the ergonomics program.

• Recognize and fill training needs.

• Gather and analyze data to define the scope and characteristics of ergonomics concerns.

• Develop control solutions.

• Establish health care management.

• Create a proactive ergonomics program.