Express Test

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration under the U.S. Department of Labor's 29 CFR 1910.95 requires that all eployees who are exposed to an eight-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels (calculated on the "A" scale) are required to receive annual training in hearing conservation with at least the following items being addressed:

1. An understanding of how loud noise can cause hearing loss.

2. The importance and proper use of hearing protection, and

3. The purpose of annual hearing testing.

Group sessions usually last 20 minutes with about a 10 minute period for questions and answers. These group sessions are most effective when no larger than 25, however, groups of 50, or more, can be accommodated.

In those instances, when operational considerations preclude large sessions, an abbreviated presentation covering the above points can be conducted just before or directly after the audiometric testing in groups of four.

All presentations are made by a CAOHC Certified Hearing Conservationist. The employees are asked to sign a summary of the major points which can be used by employers as documentation of training.