Periodic hearing testing must be conducted to
The after care for all chemical burns is similar to
monitor the effectiveness of the program.
that for thermal burns. Cover the affected area and get
the victim to a medical facility as soon as possible.
Navy personnel must be educated on the
Hearing Conservation Program to ensure the
overall success of the program.
degree sunburns, treatment is essentially the same as for
thermal burns. If the bum is not serious, and the victim
IDENTIFYING AND LABELING
does not need medical attention, apply commercially
OF NOISE AREAS AND EQUIPMENT
prepared sunburn lotions and ointments.
Hazardous noise areas and equipment must be so
For further information on the treatment of burns,
designated and appropriately labeled. Areas and
refer to Standard First Aid Training Course,
equipment that produce continuous and intermittent
NAVEDTRA 10081-D.
sound levels greater than 84 dB(A) or impact or
impulse levels of 140 db peak are considered
hazardous.
HEARING CONSERVATION
AND NOISE ABATEMENT
An industrial hygienist with a noise level meter will
identify the noise hazardous areas. Noise hazardous
Historically, hearing loss has been recognized as an
areas will be labeled using a hazardous noise warning
occupational hazard related to certain trades, such as
decal, NAVMED 6260/2 (fig. 1-6). This decal will be
blacksmithing and boilermaking. Modern technology
posted at all accesses. Hazardous noise labels,
has extended the risk to many other activities: using
NAVMED 6260/2A, are the approved labels for
marking portable and installed equipment.
combustion engines, or similar high-speed, high-energy
processes. Exposure to high-intensity noise occurs as a
All personnel that are required to work in
result of either impact noise, such as gunfire or rocket
designated noise hazardous areas or with equipment that
fire, or from continuous noise, such as jet or propeller
produces sound levels greater than 84 db(A) or 140 db
aircraft, marine engines, and machinery.
sound/pressure levels are entered in the hearing
conservation program.
Hearing loss has been and continues to be a source
of concern within the Navy, both ashore and afloat.
Hearing loss attributed to such occupational exposure to
hazardous noise, the high cost of related compensation
claims, and the resulting drop in productivity and
efficiency have highlighted a significant problem that
requires considerable attention. The goal of the Navy
Hearing Conservation Program is to prevent
occupational noise-related hearing loss among Navy
personnel. The program includes the following
elements:
Work environments will be surveyed to identify
potentially hazardous noise levels and personnel
at risk.
Environments that contain, or equipment that
produces, potentially hazardous noise should be
modified to reduce the noise to acceptable
levels whenever technologically and
economically feasible. When this is not
feasible, administrative control (for example,
stay times) and/or hearing protection devices
Figure 1-6.--Hazardous noise warning decal.
should be used.
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