The Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) is a collaborative effort by The Army Hearing Program, Industrial Hygiene, CPAC, Occupational Health, the workplace supervisor, and the employee.
How do we know if an employee is exposed to hazardous levels of noise?
Industrial Hygiene performs sound level measurements to determine if employee work environment noise exposure averages at or above 85 decibels (dB A) over 8 working hours or an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA); or if an employee is exposed to impulse, or very quick bursts of sound, of 140 dB P (peak) for any duration of exposure.
If yes, the employee will be enrolled in the hearing conservation program.
Is participation in the AHP mandatory?
Yes - if an employee’s work environment is found to be noise hazardous, they must be enrolled in the HCP. Their supervisors and employers must participate by ensuring they and their noise-exposed personnel adhere to all HCP regulations.
Non-compliance can result in disqualification from duties or disciplinary action up to and including removal.
Supervisors or unit commanders should include AHP responsibilities in the first-line DA Civilian supervisor’s performance standards (see AR 385–10). Soldiers and DA Civilian employees under their supervision will actively participate in the HCP by—
- Obtaining annual DOEHRS–HC monitoring audiometry for hearing readiness or hearing conservation, as required.
- Completing follow-up hearing testing, as required, when changes in hearing are detected.
- Wearing approved and properly-fitted hearing protectors when exposed to noise hazards.
- Participating in annual hearing health education training.
For more information, please view the HCP Supervisor Q&A Handout.