Sponsored by Vallen. Despite having hearing conservation programs in place, occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) persists. The synergistic effect of ototoxic exposures and noise in petroleum refining add to the potential for NIHL. Shari Franklin covers several best practices in hearing conservation that can help improve outcomes. A recent study showed the impact of using various methods to reduce the rate of standard threshold shifts, such as engineering controls, training and fit testing. While hearing protection devices are a common control, advanced technologies can help when job tasks may require unique solutions that allow for greater ability to hear surrounding sounds and communicate better with other workers.
What you will learn:
- Summarize health effects of noise and ototoxic exposures
- Review two case studies on advanced hearing conservation technique implementation, including fit testing as training and selection tool, and integrated hearing and PPE solutions
- Identify three tips for completing noise and audibility risk assessments
- Describe expanded hearing protection selection criteria as well as advanced hearing protection and communications technologies that may offer a range of advantages to workers
Shari Franklin Smith, CIH, CSP
Shari Franklin Smith has worked more than 25 years helping to keep workers safe and healthy, including over nine years managing safety and health professionals supporting 3M’s PPE products such as hearing, respiratory, fall protection and protective clothing. Using human factors research in high-visibility clothing and hearing conservation, Franklin Smith supports the construction, chemical manufacturing and food industries as a 3M application engineer. She has helped several companies implement hearing protection fit testing, hosted multiple safety and health symposiums, and presented on COVID-19, manganese hazards in welding, silica and beryllium. She is secretary of AIHA’s Construction Committee.
