Navy and Marine Corps Hearing-Related Policies and Directives
DODINST 6055.12: “Department of Defense (DOD) Hearing Conservation Program (HCP)” [PDF 134 KB]
This Instruction provides directive to implement policy and update responsibilities and procedures for administering a DOD HCP to prevent occupational illness under DOD Directive 4715.1, titled “Environmental Security.” This Instruction applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the military departments (the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps), the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the DOD Office of the Inspector General, the Defense agencies, the DOD field activities, all other organizational entities in the DOD, and all DOD military and civilian personnel and operations worldwide.
OPNAV 5100.23 (Series): “Navy Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH) Program Manual” [PDF 93 KB]
The purpose of this OPNAV Instruction is to affirm the Navy Safety and Occupational (SOH) Program for all Navy personnel and implement DODI 6055.1 (“DOD SOH Program”). Chapter 18 addresses hearing conservation and noise abatement with the goal of preventing occupational hearing loss and ensuring auditory fitness for duty in the military and civilian workforce. This chapter provides detail with regards to: Navy occupational exposure limits; noise measurements and exposure assessments; noise reduction measures; labeling of hazardous noise areas and equipment; adminstering a hearing test and medical exams; personal hearing protection devices, training, recordkeeping; and noise abatement, preventive measures and responsibilities.
OPNAVINST 5100.19 (Series): “NAVOSH Program Manual for Forces Afloat” [PDF 675 KB]
The purpose of this OPNAV Instruction is to implement the Navy SOH Program and the requirements of OPNAV Instruction 5100.23G for “afloat” commands. Chapter B4 is specific to the HCP and addresses: responsibilities; program elements; noise measurement and exposure assessment; noise abatement; personal hearing protective/protection devices; hearing testing and medical exams; training; and recordkeeping.
Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center Technical Manual (NMPHC-TM) 6260.51.99-2: “Navy Medical Department Hearing Conservation Program Procedures” [PDF 364 KB]
The NMCPHC-TM 6260.51.99-2 provides guidance for the implementation of those portions of the Navy HCP for which the medical department is responsible as dictated by OPNAVINST 5100.23 (Series) and OPNAVINST 5100.19 (Series). This manual was created to further specify OPNAV Instruction HCP program and procedures to include: program elements; noise measurements and exposure analyses; audiometry; hearing protection devices; education; record keeping requirements; and program performance evaluation. In addition, this manual offers several samples that may be used or modified for field use.
Marine Corps Order (MCO) 6260.1E “Marine Corps Hearing Conservation Program” April 5, 2000 [PDF 73 KB]
The purpose of this MCO is to establish and maintain an HCP for Marine Corps personnel and to amplify the MCO P5100.8F policy on the prevention of occupational illness. Specifically, this document delineates responsibilities of the commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, supervisors, military and civilian personnel, and installation safety officers as they pertain to the HCP. Some of these responsibilities involve the use of noise surveys, the labeling of hazardous noise areas and equipment, noise abatement issues, determining and appropriately disseminating personal hearing protection, and administering testing, training and record keeping.
MARADMIN 010/12: Hearing Conservation and Readiness
The Marine Corps Hearing Conservation Program is designed to prevent Marine Corps personnel--military and civilian--from suffering hearing loss due to noise exposure and to ensure hearing readiness and fitness for duty in the military and civilian workforce. The Naval Audit Service recently completed a review of the Hearing Conservation Program to verify the effectiveness of its management and implementation in protecting the hearing of Marine Corps personnel. The audit determined the Marine Corps Hearing Conservation Program mission was also a command readiness issue, requiring proactive leadership at all levels. To improve the effectiveness of the Marine Corps Hearing Conservation Program, this message directs near-term and enduring actions.
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