2. Responsibilities

Department Heads, Managers, Supervisors, and Principal Investigators

  • Provide work environments that minimize noise to the greatest extent reasonable.
  • Request that the Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) evaluate noisy operations.
  • Provide hearing protection devices at no cost for employees where needed, and notify EH&S so that training may be provided on their care and use.
  • Ensure that employees exposed to noise over the Action Level are enrolled in the Hearing Conservation Program, given training and provided with audiometric exams and hearing protection devices.
  • Provide easy access to hearing protection devices and ensure that employees use such devices where appropriate.
  • Post areas known to present noise hazards with signs requiring the use of hearing protectors.
  • Make copies of Article 105 available to employees enrolled in the Hearing Conservation Program or their representatives and post a copy in the workplace. Any informational materials supplied by California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) shall also be provided to affected employees.

Faculty, Staff, Students, Visitors, and Guests

  • Wear approved hearing protection devices in posted noise hazard areas and during tasks identified with potential noise exposure greater than 85 A­weighted decibels (dBA).
  • Maintain hearing protectors in sanitary condition and proper working order.
  • Report noise hazards and hearing protector problems to the appropriate supervisor.

Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S)

  • Monitor worksites for noise levels and inform employees, supervisors, and the Occupational Health Clinic at University Health Services of results.
  • Recommend appropriate engineering and administrative noise control measures.
  • Assist employees in selection of proper protection devices and provide instruction on their care and use.
  • Based on noise monitoring, determine whether employees need to be enrolled in the campus Hearing Conservation Program.
  • Provide training to campus departments on the Hearing Conservation Program, upon request.
  • Periodically review and update the Hearing Conservation Program to be consistent with changes in protective equipment and work processes.

University Health Services (UHS)

  • Provide baseline and annual hearing tests (audiometry).
  • Provide complete audiometric evaluations as needed to determine a Standard Threshold Shift.
  • Communicate any identified Standard Threshold Shifts to the employee and her/his supervisor.
  • Provide information and training on noise hazards and hearing conservation required under CCR Title 8 §5099.
  • Establish any work restrictions necessary to prevent additional hearing loss.