Chapter  8—ENVIRONMENTAL  POLLUTION 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. 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: 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. 1. Insure that all newly reporting personnel have received a base-line audiogram and that each individual’s 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. 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. 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. In addition to the personnel mentioned above, we need to describe the shipboard responsibilities of  the  Engineer  Officer  and  the  work  center supervisor. 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. 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 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. 8-21