We're sorry, but OSHAcademy doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript or install a browser that supports Javascript.

751 Hearing Conservation Program Management
Skip to main content

Employee Training and Education

An employee's failure to correctly insert an earplug or adjust an earmuff is arguably the chief culprits responsible for diminished real world hearing protection.

worker inserting earplugs
Employees must cultivate a vigilant attitude about hearing protection.

Thus, even if an employee has been issued a correctly-sized hearing protector and has been trained in its use and care, it is quite possible that he or she could receive little or no effective hearing protection because of a faulty fit.

Employees must resolve to wear hearing protectors correctly, or they will reduce their ability to prevent harmful noise from damaging their hearing.

Willful failure to wear hearing protection should be taken seriously. Employees should consider that management is responsible for ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements. Should employees fail to wear their hearing protection, management can be held accountable and may be cited and penalized for noncompliance with health and safety regulations.

Access to Information and Training Materials

The employer must:

  • Make copies of the noise standard available to affected employees or their representatives and post a copy in the workplace.
  • Provide affected employees with any informational materials pertaining to the standard that are supplied to the employer by OSHA.
  • Provide, upon request, all material relating to the employer's training and education program to OSHA.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-10. Who will be held accountable if an employee is observed not wearing hearing protection when required during an OSHA inspection?