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Don't rely solely on Noise Reduction Ratings for protection
Noise control is difficult in refining and chemical plant environments. To mitigate hazardous noise, personal protective equipment (PPE), i.e. hearing protection, is often required.
A common misconception is that OSHA Noise regulations do not apply to the oil and gas industry. The exemption in CFR 1910.95, "Occupational noise exposure," states, "Paragraphs (c) through (n) of this section shall not apply to employers engaged in oil and gas well drilling and servicing operations." Of course, other parts of the oil and gas industry (i.e. hydrocarbon processing) do fall under "General Industry" and are subject to the full regulation.
The exemption only applies to drilling and servicing operations. The exempted part of the OSHA regulation describes the need for a continuing, effective Hearing Conservation Program.
For every part of the oil and gas industry, the bottom line is this: if administrative and engineering control efforts have been made, but the noise remains at a hazardous level, managers must explore PPE options. The choice of which PPE to use depends on the site's noise level, environment, and communication needs, as well as the individual worker's preferences. However, the choice of which hearing protector to use is often made solely or at...