Hearing Conservation

Requirements Revision: 8-Jan-2018

Noise Assessment
1 Conduct and document a noise level assessment of workplace areas with the potential to
exceed 80 dBA.
1.1 When noise levels meet or exceed 80 dBA, include a documented evaluation of the noise
exposure levels representative of all affected personnel.
1.2 Repeat this assessment every two years if noise level exposure meets or exceeds the 85-
dBA, 8-hour time-weighted average (action level).
2 Update immediately on the commencement of changes in production, process, equipment or
controls that have the potential to increase noise exposure levels that meet or exceed the
action level, or in the event that a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) is noted for anyone in a
given area.
3 Use proper equipment and practices for assessing noise levels and noise exposure levels to
produce reliable and comparable results.

Noise Controls
4 Implement engineering controls to
4.1 Maintain any noise level—whether continuous, intermittent or impulsive—below 140 dBA.
4.2 Maintain noise levels in employee work areas to 95 dBA or below.
5 Prevent employee exposure to noise levels of 85 dBA or above.
5.1 Hearing protection may only be considered as a control measure if all practical
engineering and administrative controls fail to control noise levels to less than 85 dBA.

Hearing Protection
6 Provide hearing protection and mandate usage to
6.1 Protect all personnel exposed to noise levels at or above the action level.
6.2 Reduce noise exposure to below the action level by selecting the proper noise reduction
rating.
6.3 Require both earplugs and earmuffs simultaneously for exposures ≥ 95 dBA.
7 Ensure personnel using hearing protection undergo a fit test for each type of equipment used
and maintain equipment in clean, hygienic conditions.

Hazard Communication
8 Provide clear, understandable signage at area entrances to indicate the required hearing
protection.

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 Hearing Conservation

Requirements
 
Hearing Conservation Program
9 Implement a hearing conservation program for all exposed employees in a work area where
engineering controls are not sufficient to control noise levels below 85 dBA.
10 Conduct and document audiograms for employees in the hearing conservation program.
Ensure records are maintained to protect employees’ confidentiality and comply with all local
legal requirements.
11 Audiograms are required
11.1 Upon initial employment, if the employee is assigned to a work area with exposure ≥ 85
dBA.
11.2 Within one month of the employee’s assignment to a work area with exposure ≥ 85 dBA.
11.3 Annually (following a baseline/initial assessment).
11.4 At the employee’s retirement/termination, if at least six months have elapsed since the
previous annual assessment. If performing an audiogram is not possible, document
circumstances.
12 Ensure audiograms are conducted by qualified resources using industry standard equipment
and protocols.
13 Provide documented results of the audiogram and evaluation to the employee. Document the
receipt of the information.
14 If the evaluation of the audiogram indicates that the employee has experienced an STS with an
average loss of 10 dB or more, take the appropriate corrective action.
14.1 Counsel the employee regarding the STS and encourage a follow-up with their personal
physician.
14.2 Conduct refitting and retraining for hearing protection equipment.
14.3 Conduct a follow-up audiogram to confirm the results.
14.4 Implement a corrective action to prevent further hearing loss.
14.5 Record it as a medical treatment case in compliance with company requirements.

Training
15 Ensure employees, contractors and visitors understand where hearing protection is required.
16 All employees included in the hearing conservation program must be trained initially and
annually on the following:
16.1 The advantages, disadvantages and attenuation of various types of hearing protection.
16.2 The use, care and fitting of applicable hearing protection.
16.3 The purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of the site’s program.

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 Hearing Conservation

Requirements
 
Revision History
Revision Date Summary of Change
08-Jan-2018 Published as a result of the 2017 Technical Governance review
and optimization of the Coca-Cola operational requirements.
Evaluated and reformatted the content against the lean governance
model, focusing on risk-based and fit-for-purpose requirements.
Ensured language is more concise, and eliminated redundancies
against global consensus standards.

ES-RQ-165 Page 3 of 3 Revision: 8-Jan-2018

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