In a 2011 stakeholder meeting with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on occupational hearing loss, stakeholders presented their estimates that the annual cost per participant in a hearing conservation program (HCP) can range between $300 and $350 for certain larger employers. Smaller companies, with less extensive in-house programs, can have costs between $700 and $800 per employee. Understanding what governs an employee’s inclusion or exclusion in a company’s HCP has the potential for significant cost savings in the short and long term. These cost savings can be achieved through the development of properly characterized similar exposure groups (SEGs) and a well executed monitoring plan.
Colden has successfully provided guidance and conducted numerous exposure assessments to evaluate the status of companies’ HCPs. In some cases, employees were removed from HCPs, thereby saving annual HCP inclusion costs, and in other cases, employees were added, ensuring a compliant work environment. A comprehensive HCP can prevent future worker’s compensation claims and other indirect costs associated with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Prevent NIHL and save money by establishing and maintaining a comprehensive HCP.
Resource
OSHA Report – OSHA stakeholder’s meeting on preventing occupational hearing loss
Contact
Industrial Hygienist
smith@colden.com
315.445.0847