This session provides a practical overview of Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) requirements, regulatory thresholds, and best practices for managing occupational noise exposure. Attendees will define key HCP terms and review the importance of independent third-party noise monitoring in both high- and low-noise areas commonly found in maritime operations (engine rooms, shipyards, cargo operations, heavy equipment areas). The course explains employer responsibilities at 90 dBA TWA (engineering and administrative controls) and 85 dBA TWA (audiometric testing, training, and hearing protection requirements).

The session will cover baseline and annual audiograms, including OSHA’s six-month allowance for baselines versus AEU’s recommendation for pre-placement testing, and employer obligations when a standard threshold shift occurs. Attendees will also learn how to properly match PPE NRR to exposure levels, address common NRR misconceptions, and provide effective employee notification of sampling and audiogram results. This session will also cover the required recordkeeping practices and how to maintain defensible documentation to support hearing loss claims.

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Define key HCP terms
• Explain the need for both sound level sampling and noise dosimetry
• Understand HCP requirements when over the action level and also over the PEL, STS follow up IH actions, derating NRRs, OSHA & AEU recordkeeping

Business Casual Attire - open collar or polo shirt. No jeans or shorts. No jacket required.