Section 296-307-63205. 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 296-307-634 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, 49.17.060. WSR 05-01-166, § 296-307-63205, filed 12/21/04, effective 4/2/05.]

RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. WSR 05-01-166, § 296-307-63205, filed 12/21/04, effective 4/2/05.

Rules

296-307-634,