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Introduction
The Industrial Hygiene Program provides several services to limit
employee exposure to noise which could cause hearing loss. These
include monitoring exposure, recommending hearing protection where
needed, and recommending engineering controls to limit noise where
feasible.
At your request, IHP will measure the noise exposure at your work
location using a sound level meter and/or a noise dosimeter. Those
employees whose exposure exceeds the 85 dBA threshold will be enrolled
in the hearing conservation program and will be notified yearly
to make an appointment with the audiologist at the Medical Department
to have a hearing exam. In keeping with OSHA requirements yearly
training of these employees is conducted by IHP on the effect of
noise on hearing, the proper way to wear hearing protection, and
the purpose of audiometric testing.
It is MIT's policy to require that all employees who are exposed
at or above a time weighted average of 85 decibels for an 8 hour
day to wear hearing protection which will be furnished by the Institute.
Samples of various types of ear muffs, ear caps, and ear plugs are
available for inspection in the Industrial Hygiene Program and may
be purchased through the purchasing office. One type of muff and
one type of plug is stocked at the IHP and can be purchased there.
If you would like direction on ways to control noise in existing
or new equipment, contact our office for feasible engineering controls.
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Who to contact
The Industrial Hygiene Program
Room N52-496
77 Mass. Ave
Cambridge MA 02139-4307
452-3477
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