1.

Introduction

Noise is generated during processes, operations and work activities. It is one of the most
common occupational health hazards. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can cause noise-
induced hearing loss, or commonly known as noise-induced deafness (NID). NID refers to a
permanent loss in hearing sensitivity which leads to communication difficulties, impairment of
personal relationships, social isolation and degradation in the quality of life.

Other detrimental effects of excessive noise exposure include:

• Tinnitus (a distressing condition characterised by ringing in the ear which can lead to
disturbed sleep);
• Acoustic trauma (temporary or permanent hearing loss due to sudden exposure to very
loud noise);
• Interference with speech communication and perception of warning signs;
• Disruption of job performance;
• Annoyance; and
• Extra-auditory effects.

To protect exposed employees from the adverse effects of noise, every workplace with a noise
hazard should implement a comprehensive Hearing Conservation Programme (HCP), as part
of the company’s workplace safety and health (WSH) programme.

The Guidelines on Hearing Conservation Programme serves to assist employers, plant engineers,
noise monitoring and noise control personnel, safety and health officers, and other stakeholders
in the implementation of the HCP.

1.1 Objective of Hearing Conservation Programme

The objective of the HCP is to minimise the risk associated with workplace noise exposure and
to prevent NID.

1.2 Elements of Hearing Conservation Programme

The basic elements of a HCP are:
• Identifying the noise hazard and evaluating the risk involved;
• Implementing noise control measures, such as engineering controls to minimise the risk;
• Providing suitable hearing protectors and ensuring the proper use of the hearing
protectors by persons exposed to excessive noise;
• Training and educating persons involved in the HCP to raise their awareness of noise
hazard and prevention of NID;

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 • Conducting annual audiometric examinations to monitor the effectiveness of the HCP in
preventing NID, and detecting early hearing impairment;
• Keeping records of the measures taken to protect employees from noise hazard; and
• Evaluating the HCP to determine its effectiveness and identifying areas for improvements.

An effective HCP can eliminate or minimise noise hazard and prevent NID. Strong commitment
by the management and active involvement by the employees are critical for the success of
the HCP. Therefore, management should take the appropriate steps to encourage employees’
participation in the development and implementation of the HCP.

A flowchart which provides an overview of the HCP is shown in Annex A.

A HCP is required when:

any person in the workplace is exposed to excessive noise, which is defined as an
equivalent sound pressure level of 85 dB(A) or more over an eight-hour workday.

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2.
Planning for Hearing Conservation
Programme
2.1 Development of a Hearing Conservation
Programme Policy
A HCP policy should demonstrate the commitment of the management towards the
programme. The policy should be based on effective practices rather than minimum compliance
with the legislation. More importantly, the policy and strategies should be endorsed by the top
management, and should, as much as possible, address the following:
• Promoting a positive safe and healthy culture at the workplace where employees are
empowered and motivated to protect their health and that of their fellow co-workers;
• Adopting a prescribed schedule for monitoring noise exposure levels and other risks,
including ensuring that the equipment and personnel training are appropriate for the task;
• Setting targets for minimising daily peak noise exposure levels in the workplace and
developing strategies to achieve them;
• Requiring consistent and proper wearing of hearing protectors in designated areas;
• Ensuring the correct use of hearing protectors through onsite inspection;
• Educating, training and motivating employees to support the HCP; assessing employee
attitude and knowledge gained from periodic training;
• Purchasing appropriate hearing protectors, noise measuring equipment and quieter
machinery;
• Requiring employees who are exposed to excessive noise to undergo pre-placement and
periodic audiometric examinations;
• Counselling affected employees after each audiometric examination;
• Reviewing audiometric data to verify the effectiveness of the HCP; and
• Establishing a proper procedure for selecting vendors and contractors for services which
cannot be undertaken by in-house staff such as noise monitoring and audiometric
examinations.

Companies that issue a clearly defined HCP policy, and follow or apply the policy will be able
to implement it more effectively. With a well-defined policy, employees are informed of their
functional roles and duties.

With the formation of a HCP team, the appointment of a HCP administrator and establishment
of the HCP policy, the team can proceed to implement the HCP. The following sections contain
the details of each HCP element.

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 2.2 Establish a Hearing Conservation Programme Team
Where it has been identified that a HCP is required in a workplace, the employer should set
up a team to implement the HCP, in consultation with the employees. The composition and
size of the HCP team should be proportionate to the size of the company and the number of
employees exposed to excessive noise.

The HCP team may comprise the following:

• Safety and health personnel;
• Noise monitoring officer;
• Noise control officer;
• Occupational hygiene officer;
• Industrial hygienist;
• Industrial nurse;
• Employees’ representative; and
• Designated Workplace Doctor (DWD).

2.3 Identify the Roles and Responsibilities

2.3.1 Management Responsibilities
• The management should ensure that noise control measures are in place such that no
employees are exposed to excessive noise.
• Where 50 or more persons employed are exposed or likely to be exposed to excessive
noise, a competent person (Noise Control Officer) should be appointed to advise the
management on the proper noise control measures.
• The management should ensure that the individuals who are advising on noise control are
suitably qualified, whether in-house personnel or service providers.
• The management should allocate appropriate resources and as far as it is reasonably
practicable, implement the noise control plan put up by the competent person.
• The management should ensure that the noise control plan is reviewed at least once every
three years or until such time when the noise is reduced to an acceptable level and the
noise hazard is eliminated.
• The management should take into consideration the noise emission levels during the
selection and procurement of new machines. Instead of introducing noise control measures
after installation, selecting quieter machines at the initial stage can help to save costs.
• The management should ensure that all noise control systems or devices are well-
maintained, for e.g., a machine enclosure should be kept closed, its seals are in good
condition, and isolators should be replaced when they have worn out.

2.3.2 Appointment and Roles of a HCP Administrator

Management needs to designate a programme administrator to take charge of the HCP.
The programme administrator has the authority to make decisions, correct deficiencies and
enforce necessary actions.

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The HCP administrator should be an individual who has an interest in the company’s HCP. He/
she should possess good communication skills and be able to interact with the employees at
the production floor to discuss the noise problems and preventive measures or solutions.

The HCP administrator should coordinate all aspects of the programme and possess
knowledge on:
• Individual elements of HCP;
• Relevant provisions of the WSH Act, WSH (Noise) Regulations, WSH (Medical Examinations)
Regulations, WSH (Risk Management) Regulations, and WSH (Incident Reporting)
Regulations;
• Effects of noise on hearing;
• Purpose and selection of hearing protectors; and
• Purpose of audiometric examinations.

The role of the HCP administrator involves:

• Coordinating the HCP;
• Monitoring its progress;
• Assessing its performance;
• Evaluating its effectiveness;
• Reviewing the HCP at regular intervals;
• Ensuring that the set objectives are met;
• Arranging meetings or discussions to promote collaboration of efforts between
management and team members; and
• Fostering exchange of information between management and team members on the
progress of the programme.

Once the team members understand how they can contribute to the success of the
programme, they would be motivated to cooperate in preventing hearing loss.

2.3.3 Competent Person for Noise Monitoring

A competent person for noise monitoring is an individual who is trained to conduct proper
noise monitoring. The person should work with the HCP administrator to ensure that noise
monitoring is conducted properly. The tasks of a noise monitoring officer are listed in Annex B.

Useful references:
• WSH (Noise) Regulations
• SS 549 : 2009 Code of Practice for selection, use, care and maintenance of Hearing
Protectors

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 2.3.4 Competent Person for Noise Control
A competent person for noise control is an individual who is adequately trained and is
knowledgeable on the details of noise control. He/she must be able to provide the management
with good advice on the proper noise control measures. He/she should also work with the
HCP administrator and employees to ensure that the proposed noise control measures are
implemented. The tasks of a noise control officer include the following:
• Identifying all possible noise sources;
• Evaluating specific machinery or noise source for noise control, and determining the most
practical and effective methods of reducing the noise to meet the desired criteria;
• Involving the machine operators or production personnel on the selection of noise control
measures which may interfere with their work; communicate with them on the proper use,
and of the noise control devices to ensure that the controls are kept in good condition;
• Developing a comprehensive noise control plan with recommendations on engineering
noise controls where practicable. A sample template of the noise control plan is in Annex D;
• Working closely with the management when putting in place the noise control plan,
especially in recommending priorities and setting targets for noise control;
• Assisting the management in implementing the noise control plan and evaluating the
effectiveness of noise control measures; and
• Reviewing and revising the noise control plan at least once every three years or whenever
there is a significant change in the work processes, machinery or occurrence of NID.