Hearing protector fit testing with off-shore oil-rig inspectors in Louisiana and Texas

Abstract

Objective: This field study aimed to assess the noise reduction of hearing protection for individual workers, demonstrate the effectiveness of training on the level of protection achieved, and measure the time required to implement hearing protector fit testing in the workplace. Design: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted field studies in Louisiana and Texas to test the performance of HPD Well-Fit. Study sample: Fit tests were performed on 126 inspectors and engineers working in the offshore oil industry. Results: Workers were fit tested with the goal of achieving a 25-dB PAR. Less than half of the workers were achieving sufficient protection from their hearing protectors prior to NIOSH intervention and training; following re-fitting and re-training, over 85% of the workers achieved sufficient protection. Typical test times were 6–12 minutes. Conclusions: Fit testing of the workers’ earplugs identified those workers who were and were not achieving the desired level of protection. Recommendations for other hearing protection solutions were made for workers who could not achieve the target PAR. The study demonstrates the need for individual hearing protector fit testing and addresses some of the barriers to implementation.

Key Words:

• Behavioral measures
• hearing conservation
• instrumentation
• noise

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Roey Holliday and Rose Capers-Webb from the Bureau of Safety & Environmental Enforcement/US Department of the Interior for their assistance with the field studies and data collection.

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not represent any official policy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Mention of company names and products does not constitute endorsement by the CDC or NIOSH.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.