OSHA Hearing Conservation Violations Analyzed in New Sound Source(TM) Technical Bulletin from Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group


Smithfield, RI -- A new Sound Source(TM) bulletin, "OSHA Hearing Conservation Violations," issued by the Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group, reports on a study the company recently conducted with the assistance of OSHA's Office of Information and Technology on compliance actions between 2000 and 2004 relating to hearing conservation.

Sound Source bulletins are designed to address the questions and concerns of safety professionals engaged in the development and implementation of hearing conservation programs. Authored by expert hearing conservationists and edited by noted hearing conservation authority Brad Witt, the articles are available free as a service to the industry.

According to the report, the general lack of a hearing conservation program ranked as the top violation of §1910.95. Nearly one-fourth (2,358) of the more than 10,000 OSHA citations for §1910.95 were for lack of a continuing, effective hearing conservation program when warranted by noise levels over 85 dBA time-weighted average (TWA). This violation was cited nearly twice as often as any other component of the standard and resulted in penalties of over $3.6 million, according to the Sound Source report.

Other common citations were for lack of audiometric testing, lack of sound monitoring, and lack of training. The lack of appropriate hearing protectors--although cited less frequently than expected--was deemed more serious than any other violation, according to Sound Source.

Combining the innovation and expertise of Howard Leight® Earplugs and Bilsom® Earmuffs, the Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group is a world leader in hearing safety.

Bacou-Dalloz is the world leader in the design, manufacture and sale of personal protective equipment, offering a comprehensive range of safety products designed to protect people from hazards in the workplace. The Group specializes in head protection equipment (eye and face, respiratory and hearing protection), body protection equipment (clothing, gloves and footwear) and fall protection equipment. With a worldwide presence and over 6,000 people, Bacou-Dalloz endeavors to contribute to ongoing improvements in workplace health and safety by providing innovative, comfort-engineered products that workers want to wear. The Group's products are sold through a worldwide network of distributor partners for use in all sectors of activity (construction, manufacturing, telecommunications, homeland security, petrochemicals, medical, public services, etc.). Bacou-Dalloz is listed on the Premier Marché of the Euronext stock exchange in Paris, and is part of the SBF 120 index.

-- To download a PDF of Sound Source #8A, go to: hearingportal.com/hearingconservation/hc-snd-ame.asp

-- For MS Word file of press release, go to:
http://trankin.com/releases/hsg/HSG8007.asp

For additional product information, contact:
Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group
7828 Waterville Road
San Diego, CA 92154
Tel: 800/430-5490
Fax: 401/232-3110
email: rbessette@bacou-dalloz.com
http://hearingportal.com

Bacou-Dalloz Hearing Safety Group
10 Thurber Boulevard
Smithfield, RI 02917
USA

Media Contact:
THOMAS RANKIN ASSOCIATES
Thomas R. Rankin, APR
+1 (401) 884-4090
email: tomr@trankin.com

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