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Friday, October 14, 2016

When are employers required to provide hearing exams?

The OSHA Hearing Conservation Program requires employers to monitor hearing for all employees whose noise exposure levels over 8 working hours average out to be at or above 85 decibels. 


OSHA rule on hearing loss:


• The occupational safety and health administration issued a final rule on July 1, 2002 that revised the criteria for recording work-related hearing loss.
• Beginning Jan. 1, 2003, employers will be required to record work-related hearing loss cases when an employee's hearing test shows a marked decrease in overall hearing. For more information please see the links at the bottom of this article.


Why it may be beneficial to provide hearing exams for employees?


• The employee would be able to communicate effectively with managers, supervisors, and co-workers without any hearing difficulties.
• Awareness that hearing impaired workers may have special needs to protect their hearing
• To prevent hearing loss.
• Referral for further evaluation as appropriate.
• The earlier you know about hearing loss, the sooner you can get medical help.
• Exposure to dangerous noise levels can cause permanent hearing loss and other health problems.
• Improve productivities.
• For the purpose of employee safety and effectiveness.
• Decrease the accident rate in work place.

The results of not testing hearing loss:

• Decreased Wellness
• Poor monitoring function
• Increase hearing loss
• Workers compensation


For more information click one of this links and you should be able to get all the information you needed.
https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/qa_deafness.cfm#_edn19).
https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib122705.html
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3074/osha3074.html
http://www.hearingtestlabs.com/osha.htm


By: Liz Tadsse, Loss Control Representative



Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Minnesota LTAP Sign Maintenance/Management and Sign Retroreflectivity Training

Minnesota LTAP is putting on this training on sign management. It will include a brief overview of sign retroreflectivity assessment and management methods, as well as guidance for developing a sign inventory and understanding how much of an impact a sign post can withstand. For more information or to register go to the MNLTAP website(http://mnltap.umn.edu/training/topic/traffic/retroreflectivity/index.html).

 

DATES AND LOCATION

The workshop is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.) at the specified location on each of the dates listed below.

• October 11, 2016 — Alexandria, MN
• October 18, 2016 — Brainerd, MN
• October 25, 2016 — Rochester, MN


REGISTRATION

• Register online
• Register by mail or fax: Download the registration form (864 KB PDF)
• Registration contact: College of Continuing Education, cceinfo@umn.edu, 612-625-2900
• Cost:
  • $60 – Township and tribal representatives
  • $70 – City, county, state, and federal representatives
  • $150 – All others

 


TOPICS COVERED

• How federal sign retroreflectivity regulations apply to you
• Various methods to meet these regulations
• Crashworthiness of sign posts
• Conducting various assessment and management methods on your own signs with confidence
• How to decide which method is best suited for you and your agency



By: LMCIT Loss Control