Hierarchy of Controls Applied to Hearing Loss Control

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Description:
  The hierarchy of controls groups preventative actions by how well they may reduce or remove a hazard. You might need to use a combination of actions. Consider all potential exposures. For example, isolating the noise does not reduce ototoxic chemical exposures in the area.
  
  Elimination: The most effective action is to remove the source of the noise.
  
  Substitution: Use a quieter alternative, such as quieter equipment or tools.
  
  Engineering Controls: Engineering controls remove hazardous conditions or place a barrier between the worker and the hazard. Controls can involve physical changes to the equipment or workplace. Examples include: Isolating the noise source in an insulated room or enclosure; Placing a barrier between the noise source and the worker; and, Isolating the worker from the noise source in a room or booth.
  
  Administrative Controls: Administrative controls are work practices that reduce the duration, frequency, or level of exposure. Examples include: Scheduling loud work when fewer workers are around; Giving workers shifts doing quieter tasks and breaks from loud work; and Providing quiet and convenient break areas. Avoid administrative controls that expose more employees to noise.
  
  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Provide workers with hearing protection devices when: Other approaches cannot reduce noise to a safe level; and, Noise levels exceed 85 dBA, regardless of how long the noise lasts.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Health Policy Health Promotion Hearing Loss Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced Occupational Health Occupational Health Services Safety Working Conditions
• Keywords:
  Occupational Health Programs Occupational Safety Programs
• Series:
  NIOSH Infographics
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Still Image
• Genre:
  Infographic
• Place as Subject:
  United States
• Rights:
  Public Domain
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1 pdf page
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:na
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2024
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:324b5822169ad8d3c6a7e60e3b68762511034dd07d341b5ae7924efee92dab790668a49cdacf195efea51a602325ff5dc203da6e97647de584a783b9549dee51
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/255381/cdc_255381_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.18 MB ]