Hearing loss associated with exposure to hazardous noise and the high cost of compensa-tion claims have highlighted a significant problem which requires action to reduce or eliminate hazardous occupational noise levels. An effective occupational noise control and hearing conserva-tion program will prevent or reduce the exposure of personnel to potentially hazardous noise. Such programs will incorporate the following elements:

1. Identification of hazardous noise areas and their sources.

2. Elimination or reduction of noise levels through the use of engineering controls.

3. Periodic hearing testing of noise-exposed personnel to evaluate program effectiveness.

4. Education of all hands in the commands program and their individual responsibilities.

5. Strict enforcement of all prescribed occupa-tional noise control and hearing conservation measures including disciplinary action for violators and supervisors, as necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Secretary of the Navy policy, contained in SECNAVINST 5100.1D, emphasizes that oc-cupational safety and health are the respon-sibilities of all commands. Accordingly, the following actions and responsibilities are assigned.

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

The Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (CHBUMED) shall manage the hearing conser-vation program and maintain the programs cur-rency and effectiveness. It must provide audiometric support to all military and civilian personnel who are included in a hearing conser-vation program, professional and technical assistance to commands responsible for assuring that the hearing of military and civilian person-nel is protected, and appropriate professional and technical hearing conservation guidance and assistance to the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET).

It must develop guidelines and issue certifica-tions in accordance with OPNAVINST 6260.2 Enclosure (1) for personnel conducting sound level measurements, (2) personnel performing hearing conservation audiometry, (3) audiometric test chambers, (4) audiometers, and (5) all sound level measuring equipment, and it must support a research and development effort in medical aspects of hearing conservation to insure existing technology represents the most advanced state-of- the-art.

Chief of Naval Material

The Chief of Naval Material (CHNAVMAT) shall in coordination with CHBUMED, provide technical assist and and engineering guidance to commands as delineated in OPNAVINST 6260.2 and periodically update to maintain currency and effectiveness. It shall insure, consistent and re-quired military capabilities, that noise abatement is considered, designed, and engineered into all (both existing and future) ships and aircraft, weapons and weapon systems, equipment, materials, supplies, and facilities which are ac-quired, constructed, or provided through the Naval Material Command; and it shall provide appropriate technical and engineering control methodology guidance and assistance to CNET.

The Chief, Naval Education and Training

The Chief, Naval Education and Training (CNET) shall, with the assistance of CHBUMED and CHNAVMAT incorporate hearing conserva-tion and engineering control guidance informa-tion in the curricula of all appropriate training courses. It shall provide specialized hearing con-servation and engineering control training and education as required, and serve as the central source for the collection, publication and dissemination of information on specialized hear-ing conservation and engineering control train-ing courses.