LESSON 3
NOISE AND THE CONSERVATION OF HEARING
Section I. INTRODUCTION
3-1.
GENERAL
We are surrounded by sound. Twenty-four hours each day, we live in a world of
sound. Even while we are asleep, the ticking of the clock or the whirring of the air
conditioner may be part of our environment. In our waking hours, we are immersed in
sound-passing automobiles, overhead aircraft, clattering computer printers and
typewriters, weapons firing, equipment operating, people talking, radios playing. A total
lack of sound can in itself be disturbing; too much sound can be literally deafening. In
the field of industrial hygiene, we are concerned with those sounds known as noise and
the hazards that they present to workers. Exposure to certain noises can have
profound physical and psychological effects on the individual. To protect Federal
government personnel against these effects, hearing conservation programs must be
planned and implemented at all Army installations. Management of such programs is
an installation responsibility; however, the US Army Medical Department is responsible
for ensuring that such programs are established and that they are effective. As a
PVNTMED Specialist, you will play an active role in the installation hearing conservation
program.
3-2.
RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Installation Commander. The commander of an Army installation is
responsible for providing a safe work environment, free of hazardous noise levels, and
to meet the hearing conservation program requirements according to Army Regulation
(AR) 40-5 and AR 385-10. Subordinate commanders, supervisors, and managers are
responsible for purchasing new equipment that generates the lowest noise level
feasible.
b. Safety Director or Officer. The safety director coordinates with the
Installation Medical Authority to determine the existence of noise and performs the
following functions:
(1) Conducts inspections and includes noise hazard abatement projects in
the hazard abatement plan.
(2) Controls entrance to hazardous areas by posting color-coded caution
and other signs designating the more hazardous areas.
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3-2