Periodical   hearing   examinations   are   to   be conducted  to  monitor  the  effectiveness  of  the hearing conservation program. Education  is  vital  to  the  overall  success  of  a hearing conservation program. The  Navy’s  Permissible  Exposure  Limit  (NPEL) for occupational noise is 84 decibels (unit of measure to  express  sound  pressure  levels)  for  an  8-hour  time weighted   average   (TWA).   When   TWA   exposures exceed  84  dB,  then  include  personnel  in  the  Navy’s Hearing   Conservation   Program.   The   formulas   to compute   decibels   are   in   the   OPNAVINST 5100.23 .1802.2 Any   work   area   where   the   TWA   sound   level exceeds  84  dB  and  where  the  noise  level  would  peak at 140 dB will be designated as hazardous noise areas and labeled as per  Navy  Medicine,  NAVMED   6260/2 (series).  These  labels  should  read  Hazardous  Noise Warning  Decal,  8  inches  by  10  1/2  inches  (displayed on   stationary   equipment   and   all   entryways)   and Hazardous  Noise  Labels,  1  inch  by  1  1/2  inch (displayed on power tools). These are approved decals and   labels   for   marking   hazardous   noise   areas   and equipment. Remember Builders, you work mainly with power tools   and   machinery   with   which   the   decibels   will range from 50 dB (power saws) to 140 dB (radial saw at  peak  operations),  so  it  is  your  responsibility  to protect your hearing. If you have any further questions regarding  hazardous  noise  areas,  do  not  hesitate  to contact your safety officer. Sight Conservation Navy policy requires that Navy personnel exposed to   eye   hazards   are   to   be   provided   adequate   eye protection  at  government  expense.  The  following basic  program  requirements  are  to  be  implemented: 1.  A  complete  survey  of  all  activity  work  areas, equipment,   and   processes   must   be   conducted   to determine  which  eye  hazards  exist,  which  personnel require eye protection, and what type of eye protection is required. 2.  All  areas  designated  as  eye  hazards  must  be posted with the appropriate warning signs. Such signs should be consistent with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.145  and  are  to  be  located  at  all  entrances  to designated areas as practical. 3. Emergency eyewash stations must be provided in  all  areas  where  the  eyes  of  any  employee  may  be exposed to corrosive materials. Remember Builders, your eyesight is the most valuable tool you will ever possess. For  further  references  to  SAFETY,  contact  your safety  officer  or  refer  to  the  OPNAVINST  5100.23 (series),  Naval  Safety  Supervisor  course  (TRAMAN), and Army Corps of Engineers, EM-385. POLLUTION  AND  HAZARDOUS WASTE Pollution   abatement   is   the   responsibility   of   all Navy personnel whether military or civilian. We need to become more innovative in finding ways to reduce pollution in our environment. Land, air, and water are the  three  primary  parts  that  make  up  this  planet  and are  ecologically  balanced.  When  one  of  the  parts  is severely  damaged,  it  has  an  equally  damaging  effect on the other two parts. It is absolutely essential for us to review practices that have or may have a detrimental effect   on   the   environment   and   determine   whether measures  can  be  taken  to  lessen  or  eliminate  these undesirable  effects  further. Historically,   the   most   prevalent   polluters   have been   in   the   fields   of   manufacturing,   facilities maintenance,  construction,  and  waste  disposal.  NCF personnel   can   do   little   to   control   manufacturing pollution.  However,  they  can  provide  some  control over  the  methods  in  which  many  manufactured  items are  used  and  the  ways  in  which  residues,  such  as construction  waste  and  potential  pollution  materials, are  disposed.  This  is  particularly  important  when  it could   have   an   adverse   effect   on   the   immediate environment at an NCF jobsite. POLLUTION  IMPACT  AREAS Nearly all pollution is caused by substances from the  following  categories  of  materials: Hazardous  —  any  material,  substance,  chemical, and  so  forth,  that  is  regulated  as  hazardous  (harmful, exposing one to risk), requiring an MSDS. Nonhazardous   —   any   material,   substance, chemical, and so forth, that is not regulated and does not require an MSDS. Organic    —   a   material   or   substance   generally characterized by chains of connected carbon atoms. A 1-19