WAC 296-817-20005   Conduct employee noise exposure monitoring.  

     You must:

     • Conduct employee noise exposure monitoring to determine the employee's actual exposure when reasonable information indicates that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed 85 dBA TWA₈.

Note:	• Representative monitoring may be used where several employees perform the same tasks in substantially similar conditions
	• Examples of information or situations that can indicate exposures which equal or exceed 85 dBA TWA8, include:
	• Noise in the workplace that interferes with people speaking, even at close range
	• Information from the manufacturer of equipment you use in the workplace that indicates high noise levels for machines in use
	• Reports from employees of ringing in their ears or temporary hearing loss
	• Warning signals or alarms that are difficult to hear
	• Work near abrasive blasting or jack hammering operations
	• Use of tools and equipment such as the following:
	– Heavy equipment or machinery
	– Fuel-powered hand tools
	– Compressed air-driven tools or equipment in frequent use
	– Power saws, grinders or chippers
	– Powder-actuated tools.

     You must:

     • Follow applicable guidance in WAC 296-817-300 when conducting noise exposure monitoring

     • Make sure your sampling for noise exposure monitoring identifies:

     – All employees whose exposure equals or exceeds the following:

     ▪ 85 dBA TWA₈ (noise dosimetry, providing an average exposure over an eight-hour time period)

     ▪ 115 dBA (slow response sound level meter, identifying short-term noise exposures)

     ▪ 140 dBC (fast response sound level meter, identifying almost instantaneous noise exposures).

     – Exposure levels for selection of hearing protection.

     • Provide exposed employees and their representatives with an opportunity to observe any measurements of employee noise exposure that are conducted

     • Notify each employee whose exposure equals or exceeds 85 dBA TWA₈ of the monitoring results within five working days of when you receive the results

     • Conduct additional noise monitoring whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls, may reasonably be expected to result in:

     – Additional employees whose exposure equals or exceeds 85 dBA TWA₈

     – Employees exposed to higher level of noise requiring more effective hearing protection

Note:	Conditions that may be expected to increase exposure include:
	• Adding machinery to the work area
	• Increasing production rates
	• Removal or deterioration of noise control devices
	• Increased use of noisy equipment
	• Change in work schedule
	• Change of job duties.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 03-11-060, § 296-817-20005, filed 5/19/03, effective 8/1/03.]