The Naval Inspector General (NAVINSGEN) shall evaluate hearing conservation and engineer-ing control procedures during conduct of the Navys Occupational Safety and Health Inspec-tion Program (NOSHIP) oversight inspections of activities ashore.

President, Board of Inspection and Survey

The President, Board of Inspection and Survey (PRESINSURV) shall be directly respon-sible for oversight inspection aspects of shipboard hearing conservation and engineering control compliance. Inspections of fleet units shall be in-corporated into existing condition inspection programs.

Commander, Naval Safety Center

The Commander, Naval Safety Center (COM-NAVSAFECEN) shall provide program evalua-tion, as requested, provide program promotion through NAVSAFECEN publications, and review program compliance during the conduct of surveys.

Fleet Commander in Chief

Fleet Commanders in Chief and other major commanders, commanding officers, and officers in charge shall insure that all Navy areas, worksites, and equipment under their cognizance are identified as potentially hazardous and labeled in accordance with OPNAVINST 6260.2 where noise levels are 85 dBA or greater or where impulse or impact noise exceeds a peak sound pressure level of 140 dB. Where necessary, surveys shall be conducted in compliance with the guidance outlined in OPNAVINST 6260.2 enclosure (1). Enclosure (3) of OPNAVINST 6260.2 provides a listing of activities where in-dustrial hygiene assistance may be obtained.

Where a potential noise hazard has been iden-tified, a hearing conservation program shall be instituted in accordance with OPNAVINST 6260.2 and a roster will be maintained on person-nel placed in the program. Noise levels will be eliminated or reduced through the use of engineer-ing controls.

Personal hearing protective devices will be provided and used properly by personnel where administrative or engineering controls are infeasi-ble or ineffective. All military civilian personnel whose duties entail exposure to potentially hazard-ous noise will receive instruction regarding the command occupational noise control and hear-ing conservation program, the undesirable effects of noise, the proper use and care of hearing pro-tective devices, and the necessity of periodic hearing testing. Emphasis will be placed upon leadership by example as regards the wearing of hearing protective devices. Command policy shall be enforced, including the initiation of disciplinary measures for repeated failure to comply with the requirements of the hearing conservation program.

In addition to the personnel mentioned above, we need to describe the shipboard responsibilities of the Engineer Officer and the work center supervisor.

ENGINEER OFFICER.OPNAVINST 6260.2 outlines the shipboard program for hear-ing conservation. Although the medical depart-ment representative has primary cognizant over this program there are elements that the engineer officer must monitor and which are subject to periodic review. Periodic surveys must be ac-complished to properly identify those areas within the propulsion spaces that fall into the category Noise Hazardous Area. These areas must be marked and personnel tasked with working in these areas must have available to them and utilize the prescribed aural protective devices. Training and discussion should emphasize the need for wearing these devices and should stress the medical element of hazards to hearing resulting from non-use. The following paragraphs outline the specific actions to be taken by the engineer officer and subordinates to insure the ef-fectiveness of the command program.

The engineer officer will:

1. Insure that all newly reporting personnel have received a base-line audiogram and that each individuals medical record reflects the results of this examination.

2. Insure that all engineering department per-sonnel receive an annual re-examination by a medical activity.

3. Advise the medical department represen-tative, by memorandum, of personnel by name who are working or stand watches in areas deter-mined to be high noise areas and defined in OPNAVINST 6260.2.

4. Arrange for a noise survey to be taken in-itially by an industrial or IMA activity, and in-sure that surveys are retaken at least annually.

5. Designate high noise areas from the sur-vey and insure that areas are properly marked or labeled with prescribed markings. Advise the medical department of areas so designated and of any changes that may occur.

6. Insure aural protective devices to all per-sonnel tasked to work in designated high noise areas. These devices will be made available through the medical department for individual fit-ting and issue. Issue of these devices will be recorded in the individuals medical records.

7. Insure that sufficient training is provided to operating personnel concerning the hazards and preventive elements of the program, stressing the use of available protective devices.

8. The main propulsion assistant should be designated as the department officer to monitor and assist the engineer officer in all elements of the program.

WORK CENTER SUPERVISOR.As a work center supervisor you are responsible for en-suring that safety signs are posted in your spaces which are high noise areas, that your personnel are trained and counseled as to the effects of noise pollution, and that they have the proper hearing protection as required for that area. For additional information on the Hearing Conservation Program refer to OPNAVINST 6260.2.