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_________________________________________________________________

                          *COMPANY NAME* 


                   HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
 

As required by Title 8, Article 105, California Code of Regulations
("Occupational Noise Standard"), *COMPANY NAME* has developed the
Hearing Conservation Program described herein.  The program is
designed to protect our employees from the deleterious effects of
excessive noise exposure.

The Hearing Conservation Program at *COMPANY NAME* shall consist of
the following:


 I.  Applicability

     A.   This Hearing Conservation Program shall apply to all
          *COMPANY NAME* facilities where noise exposures can
          exceed 85 decibels on the "A" weighted scale ("dBA"). 
          This is equivalent to equal to or greater than 50% of the
          allowable dose when noise exposures are monitored by
          personal dosimeter.


II.  Facility Requirements

     A.   Each work area suspected to contain noise levels which
          would expose employees to a time weighted average ("TWA")
          equal to or greater than 85 decibels on the "A" weighted
          scale ("dBA") shall be tested for noise levels at least
          annually or whenever changes occur which could effect the
          area's noise levels.

     B.   Each work area where noise levels are known to be equal
          to or greater than a TWA of 85 dBA shall be retested for
          noise levels every two years or whenever changes occur
          which could effect the area's noise levels.

     C.   Each work area where noise levels are equal to or greater
          than a TWA of 85 dBA shall have engineering controls
          implemented to reduce noise levels below a TWA of 85 dBA
          when economically and operationally feasible.

     D.   Each work area where noise is equal to or greater than a
          TWA of 85 dBA shall be posted with signs stating hearing
          protection is required.  The signs shall be in English. 
          Signs in other languages, such as Spanish, shall be
          provided as necessary.


III.  Hearing Protection

     A.   Employees will be provided with effective hearing
          protection when noise levels are equal to or exceed a TWA
          of 85 dBA.

          1.   *COMPANY NAME* shall provide at no expense to
               employees a variety of hearing protection effective
               for the noise levels encountered.

          2.   Only hearing protection which is effective enough
               to reduce noise exposure below a TWA of 85 dBA
               shall be used.  The reduced level of exposure is
               calculated by subtracting 7 from the Noise
               Reduction Rating ("NRR") given by the hearing
               protection manufacturer.  This calculated reduction
               is then subtracted from the area's noise level.

          3.   Where use of hearing protection is required,
               supervisors and/or other management shall insure
               hearing protection is properly worn, and shall
               administer appropriate disciplinary action when
               necessary.

          4.   Adequacy of hearing protection shall be reevaluated
               when employee noise exposures increase due to
               changes in the work environment or the employee's
               work assignment.


IV.  Audiometric Testing

     A.   All new employees who are to be assigned to work areas
          where the noise level is equal to or exceeds a TWA of 85
          dBA shall have an audiogram within two weeks after
          starting employment.

     B.   Existing employees who have been re-assigned from
          non-noise areas to work areas where the noise level is
          equal to or exceeds a TWA of 85 dBA shall have an
          audiogram within two weeks after starting the new
          assignment.

     C.   Employees who work in areas where the noise level is
          equal to or exceeds a TWA of 85 dBA shall have a yearly
          audiogram.

     D.   Audiometric testing shall be in compliance with the
          Occupational Noise Standard, including the following:

          1.   Audiometric testing shall be at the expense of
               *COMPANY NAME*.

          2.   Audiometric testing shall be performed by a
               licensed or certified audiologist,
               otolaryngologist, or other physician.

          3.   Audiograms shall be performed pursuant to the
               Occupational Noise Standard, Appendix II.

          4.   Audiograms shall be preceded by at least 14 hours
               without exposure to workplace noise.  This
               requirement may be met by requiring employees to
               wear hearing protectors which will reduce the
               employee's exposure to a sound level of 80 dBA or
               below.

          5.   *COMPANY NAME* shall notify employees of the need
               to avoid high levels of non-occupational noise
               exposure for a period of 14 hours prior to the
               employee's audiogram.

          6.   Employees with colds, ear infections or similar
               ailments shall not be tested until at least a week
               after the employee has completely recovered.

     E.   Each employee's audiogram shall be compared to that
          employee's baseline audiogram to determine if the
          audiogram is valid and if a Standard Threshold Shift
          ("STS") has occurred.

          1.   A STS is defined as a reduction in hearing ability
               of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in
               either ear.

          2.   In determining if a STS has occurred, allowances
               may be made for normal loss of hearing ability
               which occurs with age, known as "presbycusis".  See
               Appendix I for application of age correction
               values.

          3.   If the annual audiogram shows that an employee has
               suffered a STS, *COMPANY NAME* may retest the
               employee within 30 days and use the retest results
               as the basis for comparison.

          4.   An audiologist, otolaryngologist (ear, nose and
               throat specialist), or physician shall review
               problem audiograms and determine whether there is a
               need for further evaluation.  It is possible for
               hearing losses to occur due to build-up of ear wax,
               or there may be some other type of problem.

     F.   An employee who has been determined to have a STS shall
          be informed of this fact in writing within 21 days of the
          determination.

     G.   Unless a physician determines that a STS is not caused or
          aggravated by workplace noise, *COMPANY NAME* shall take
          the following steps:

          1.   If the employee is not using hearing protection,
               the employee shall be fitted with hearing
               protection, trained in their use and care, and be
               required to use them when in the noisy work areas.

          2.   An employee already using hearing protection shall
               be refitted and retrained in their use.  Hearing
               protection with greater attenuation shall be used
               if necessary.

          3.   Refer the employee for a clinical audiological
               evaluation or an otological exam, as appropriate,
               if additional testing is necessary or if it is
               suspected that a medical condition of the ear is
               caused or aggravated by the wearing of hearing
               protection.

          4.   Inform the employee for the need of an otological
               examination if a medical condition of the ear is
               suspected which is unrelated to the use of hearing
               protection.
 
     H.   An annual audiogram may be substituted for the baseline
          audiogram when in the judgment of the audiologist,
          otolaryngologist or physician who is evaluating the
          audiogram the STS has been persistent or the new
          audiogram shows a significant improvement over the
          baseline audiogram.

     I.   Reasonable efforts should be made to obtain an exit
          audiogram on every employee terminating *COMPANY NAME*'
          employment.


 V.  Training

     A.   *COMPANY NAME* shall conduct a training program for all
          employees who are exposed to noise at a TWA greater than
          or equal to 85 dBA.  The training shall be interpreted
          into languages necessary for all participating employees'
          comprehension.  The training program shall contain at
          least the following topics:

          1.   The effects of noise on hearing, especially the
               following facts:

               a.   Hearing loss due to noise is not reversible.

               b.   Loss due to noise is cumulative from exposure
                    on and off the job.

               c.   Hearing loss is not noticed during its early
                    stages.

               d.   Employees will be able to hear better in noisy
                    environments when wearing hearing protection.

          2.   The purpose of hearing protection.

          3.   The advantages, disadvantages and attenuation of
               the various types of hearing protection.

          4.   Instructions on selection, proper use and fit, and
               care of hearing protection.

          5.   The purpose of audiometric testing and an
               explanation of the testing process.

          6.   Where damaging levels of noise are found at
               *COMPANY NAME's* facility.

     B.   The training program shall be repeated annually for all
          employees who are exposed to noise at a TWA greater than
          or equal to 85 dBA.

     C.   Documentation of the training shall be maintained,
          including the dates of the training, duration of the
          sessions, and the names of the attendees.


VI.  Recordkeeping

     A.   *COMPANY NAME* shall post a copy of the Occupational
          Noise Standard in the workplace and shall make copies of
          it and this plan available to employees' representatives.

     B.   *COMPANY NAME* shall keep copies of employee audiograms
          and training documentation.  These documents must be
          maintained for 30 years.

     C.   *COMPANY NAME* shall provide upon request, all materials
          related to the authorized representatives of the Chief of
          the Division of the California Department of Industrial
          Relations and the Director, National Institute for
          Occupational Safety and Health.
