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System Status: 

Hearing Conservation Program

Learn how UC San Diego's Hearing Conservation Program protects employees from hearing damage due to occupational noise.

Requirement

Employees who are routinely exposed to high levels of workplace noise must participate in the Hearing Conservation Program. At UC San Diego, this level is 85 dB(A) averaged out over an 8-hour workday. Those affected may include, but are not limited to, personnel in:

  • Machine shops
  • Maintenance and utilities
  • Groundskeeping
  • Carpentry and machine shops
  • Housing and dining services facilities
  • Engineering
  • Vivaria

Responsibilities

Supervisors are required to assess the workplace and do the following:

Program

Learn more about the Hearing Conservation Program:

  • Noise exposure assessments determine if an employee is exposed to damaging levels of noise.
  • Audiometric testing monitors the employee's hearing over time to detect and prevent hearing loss.
  • Hearing protective equipment is provided free of charge to the employee by the department.
  • Recordkeeping requirements specify when employees must receive training and testing, and defines record retention times for training, audiometric tests, and noise exposure documentation.

Training

Hearing conservation training is required for employees exposed to noise level at or above 85 decibels over an 8-hour workday as part of their job.

Regulations and policies

Questions? Contact EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene Services at ehsih@ucsd.edu.
Note: this page has a friendly link that's easy to remember: http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/hearing