by Brianna Crandall — March 4, 2015—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in partnership with the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA), recently announced the recipients of the 2015 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards, honoring companies that have shown dedication to the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss through excellent hearing loss prevention practices in the work environment. The awards were presented at the Hearing Conservation Conference February 20 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“We know that noise-induced hearing loss can affect workers in any sector of the economy and that it has a significant impact on the individual, their family and our nation’s economy,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “We are honored to once again we have this opportunity to recognize organizations that are leading the way in preventing work-related hearing loss and keeping workers safe and healthy.”
The 2015 recipients for Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention in the Manufacturing Sector are highlighted below.
United Technologies Corporation
United Technologies Corporation is a global company with over 210,000 employees in 46 states and 186 countries. This is only the second time that a Safe-in-Sound Excellence Award has been presented to an entire company and represents an example how of excellence can be achieved across diverse manufacturing environments and geographical locations, says NIOSH. Employees at all levels of the company are engaged in the company’s initiatives, points out NIOSH.
United Technologies is recognized for including as one of its company-wide 2015 sustainability goals to “reduce employee exposure to noise and chemicals to levels so safe that wearing personal protective equipment is no longer mandatory….” and for the strategies used within the company to fulfill that goal. The company’s comprehensive, “exceptional” approach to hearing loss prevention and commitment to employee hearing health and noise control includes:
- Interventions, such as reduction of sound levels below an 85-dBA limit for eight-hour noise exposures;
- Adoption of inclusive criteria in the company’s comprehensive hearing loss prevention program;
- Completion of multiple noise-control studies;
- Documentation of cost and noise reduction results; and
- Adoption of Management of Change policies and practices.
Mahrt Mill, of MeadWestvaco Corporation
The second recipients are the employees of Mahrt Mill, of the MeadWestvaco Corporation. The intrinsic nature of the noise hazards at a paper mill approaching its 50th anniversary makes them difficult to control, which translates into challenges and elevates the importance for the other hearing loss prevention efforts, notes NIOSH. The subsequent reliance upon hearing protection and effective training becomes even more critical when hazardous noise levels exist. In addition, recognition of the importance of audibility and communication that is critical to employee safety is also a relevant consideration.
The Mahrt Mill Hearing Conservation Team developed and implemented engaging educational programs, provided two alternative types of hearing protection fit-testing of all plant personnel, selected a diverse assortment of effective general and specialty hearing protection devices for both work and recreational application, and conducted high-quality audiometric testing with professional review and employee follow-up. There is evidence of strong support from plant management and individual workers, and each recognizes their role in the success of the program, says NIOSH.
The teamwork commitment to each individual at risk of noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus is especially noteworthy. NIOSH commends the employees of Mahrt Mill for changing their course towards hearing health and their efforts to actively encourage the adoption of their strategies by other MWV sites.
The award recipient presentations can be seen on the Winners Web site. Nominations for the next awards will be accepted until July 15, 2015.
NIOSH recommends removing hazardous noise from the workplace whenever possible and implementing an effective hearing loss prevention program in those situations where dangerous noise exposures have not yet been controlled or eliminated. For more information about NIOSH research and programs, visit the Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention Web site.
