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:

• Determine if hazards are present or likely to be present. Contact the Hearing Conservation Program coordinator if you suspect noise exposure in the work environment exceeds permissible exposure limits.
• Provide employees with appropriate PPE and training. See personal protective equipment and hearing conservation training for details.
• Require employees to use and maintain PPE.
• When hearing protection is required, supervisors are responsible for enrolling employees in the Hearing Conservation Program and ensuring they receive hearing testing and protection.

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

• Control of Noise Exposure, California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 5096-5100 Article 105
• Occupational Noise Exposure Compliance Assistance Guideline (PDF), Cal/OSHA
• PPM 516-15 Hearing Conservation Program
• UC San Diego Hearing Conservation Program manual (PDF)