24-166 Hearing Conservation Program

Department Notice

San Francisco Police Department

This document is not an official representation of the published policy. To access the official signed policy, please contact us at [email protected].

24-166
Published: 
Expire: 
(Update to DN 21-126)

California Occupational Safety and Health Standards, Title 8, Section 5097, Hearing Conservation Program, states that employers shall administer a continuing, effective Hearing Conservation Program whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour, time weighted, average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels.

Members who are in the Hearing Conservation Program include officers assigned to the Range, Canine Unit, Honda Unit, Marine Unit, SOG (including TAC, EOD, and Specialists), Solo Unit, and Airport.

Additionally, select employees of the Crime Lab who are:

  • Exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the Action Level (AL) without regard for attenuation provided by hearing protectors or;
  • Regularly exposed to impulse or impact noise at or above 120 dBA or;
  • Exposed to chemicals that may result in hearing loss, including lead, n-butyl alcohol, toluene, and/or manganese or;
  • Exposed to hazardous noise levels that are highly variable and unpredictable or;
  • Determined by the Police Physician or Health & Safety Manager that they should be included in the HCP following a case-by-case evaluation.

All hearing tests will be conducted at SFGH, 1001 Potrero Ave., Building #9, 1st floor. Hearing tests shall be conducted during on-duty hours: No overtime is authorized. To schedule an annual hearing test, send an email to [email protected]. The SFGH Occupational Health Clinic number is (628) 206-6581.

If desired by the employee, the hearing test records may be forwarded to the SFPD Medical Liaison Unit for documentation. Request a copy from SFGH Occupational Health at the time of the test.

/s/
WILLIAM SCOTT 
Chief of Police

Per DN 23-152, all sworn & non-sworn members shall electronically acknowledge this Department document in PowerDMS within (30) thirty calendar days of issuance. Members whose duties are relevant to this document shall be held responsible for compliance. Any questions regarding this policy should be sent to [email protected] who will provide additional information.