Requirement

Employees who are routinely exposed to high levels of workplace noise must participate in the Hearing Conservation Program. At UCSD, 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 responsible for enrolling employees in the program and ensuring they receive hearing testing and protection. Supervisors or employees can contact the Hearing Conservation Program coordinator if they suspect noise exposure in their work environment exceeds permissible exposure limits.

The program includes the following:

• Noise exposure assessments to 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.
• Training and recordkeeping requirements specify when employees must receive training and testing, and defines record rentention times for training, audiometric tests, and noise exposure documentation.

Regulations and standards

• UCSD Hearing Conservation Program manual (PDF) (Word file)
• California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 5096-5100 Article 105
• Cal/OSHA – Occupational Noise Exposure Compliance Assistance Guideline (PDF)

Questions? Contact the Hearing Conservation Program coordinator, (858) 534-1075.