Overview
The principal objective of the Clemson University Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) is to prevent permanent noise-induced hearing loss resulting from on-the-job noise exposure.
The Hearing Conservation Program provides training for affected employees, performs noise surveys, recommends personal protective equipment, and makes recommendations for the location and placement of warning signs for high hazard noise areas and equipment. The Occupational Health Clinic provides annual hearing testing for on-campus employees enrolled in the HCP. Off-Campus employees will be provided with information for a local audiologist. Audiometric testing is provided at no charge to the employee, testing will be billed to the employee’s Department as needed.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide employees with proper protection against the effects of noise exposure when sound levels exceed an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 90 dBA. If levels exceed 85 dBA for an 8-hour TWA, then a hearing conservation program must be provided at no cost to the employees. The protective measures provided to the employees may be provided either through a combination of engineering and/or administrative controls. If these controls are insufficient, the use of personal protective equipment will be implemented.
