{"id":43702,"date":"2020-07-10T13:20:20","date_gmt":"2020-07-10T20:20:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/?page_id=43702"},"modified":"2025-07-07T11:22:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T18:22:53","slug":"sppm-2-64","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-2-64\/","title":{"rendered":"2.64 Hearing Conservation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Safety Policies and Procedures Manual<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Hearing Conservation<\/h2>\n\n\n
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SPPM 2.64<\/strong><\/p>\n

For more information contact:<\/strong>
   Environmental Health and Safety
   509-335-3041<\/p>\n

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Policy<\/h3>\n

University units are responsible for minimizing employee exposure to hazardous noise levels.<\/p>\n

Exposure Threshold<\/h4>\n

Since exposure to noise that equals or exceeds the 85 decibel (A weighted or dBA) 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) threshold is potentially hazardous to hearing, University units must limit employee noise exposure to levels below this threshold.<\/p>\n

Exposed Employees<\/h4>\n

Each employee exposed to an 8-hour TWA occupational noise of 85 decibels (dBA) or greater, without regard to the use of hearing protection, is to be provided a hearing protection device, annual audiometric testing, and annual training. (WAC 296-817-20015<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Controls\/Hearing Protection <\/h4>\n

Occupational noise exposures above 85 decibels 8-hour TWA are to be reduced using engineering and\/or administrative controls. Where these controls are not feasible or insufficient, hearing protection is to be supplied to and worn by each affected employee.<\/p>\n

Protection Requirements<\/h4>\n

Each affected employee must wear hearing protection in any of the following cases:<\/p>\n