Hearing loss prevention—Worker's responsibilities

Abstract

One element of hearing loss prevention that management often feels it cannot effectively control is worker's actions and responsibilities. The solution to this problem is the development and enforcement of effective management-backed employee policies covering each hearing conservation issue. It is absolutely vital that all such policies be in writing and that they be clear, reasonable, sensible, and enforceable. Principal program elements that need written policies are monitoring, engineering and administrative controls, personal hearing protection devices, training and education, audiometric testing, and supervisors' responsibilities in program administration. Under each program element, one or more specific policy objectives should be spelled out, with each objective followed by a detailed policy statement of the actions or behavior required to meet that objective. Numerous examples of policy objectives and statements were written for each of the principal program elements. Finally, for the policies to be enforceable, there must be in place a fair and consistent system of discipline. Properly written and enforced policies are not designed to restrict the individual, but to protect him by assuring him safe working conditions and equal treatment with his fellows.