2013 Winners

The 2013 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards™ were presented at the 38th Annual Hearing Conservation Conference on February 22, 2013 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The 2013 recipient for Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention in the Manufacturing Sector was:

Vulcan Materials Company (VMC) is a major producer of construction aggregates; primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel.  VMC operates 323 aggregates plants and other production and distribution facilities which serve 19 states, the District of Columbia, the Bahamas and Mexico. In 2011, VMC shipped approximately 143 million tons of construction aggregates, and also provided asphalt mix, ready-mixed concrete and paving construction services.  VMC was recognized for their commitment and implementation of a quality data-driven hearing loss prevention program that extends beyond simple regulatory compliance.  VMC’s effort is especially noteworthy when one considers the diverse and ever-changing and challenging work environments that are characteristic of this industry. VMC has embraced innovative and cost-effective noise measurement and control strategies. Noise risks are prioritized and addressed systematically with careful attention to detail to assure prompt reporting, high quality data, detailed analysis, progress tracking and outcome assessments. VMC provides extensive noise measurement and control training and re-training for select employees to function as industrial hygiene support staff.  This allows VMC to increase their noise hazard surveillance and intervention opportunities without sacrificing quality.  VMC’s is also leading the advancements in noise monitoring strategies for mobile workers by integrating sophisticated technologies such as GPS, and video into their noise measurement  protocols. These novel approaches will benefit other industries in the future and contribute to the goal of eliminating occupational noise-induced hearing loss.
Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)Presentation (Adobe Flash Required)

From L to R: Kelly Bailey (VMC), John Howard (NIOSH),  Andrew Perkins (VMC). Photo Courtesy: Jack Foreman

The 2013 Award recipient for Innovation in Hearing Loss Prevention in the Manufacturing Sector was:

Johns Manville (JM), a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality building insulation, commercial roofing, roof insulation, and specialty products for commercial, industrial and residential applications.  JM employs 6500 employees in the U.S., Europe and Asia.  JM was recognized for their development and application of innovative hearing loss prevention program metrics.  Their “Hearing Conservation Pyramid” approach incorporates both leading and lagging indicators of hearing conservation program effectiveness. Rather than an injury-based focus which relied solely on the traditional significant threshold shift (STS) metric and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable hearing loss cases, JM has integrated three other metrics. These additional metrics include an early audiometric notch index, hearing protector personal attenuation ratings and a noise level index designed to track noise exposure levels weighted by FTEs.  The implementation of the JM “Hearing Conservation Pyramid” approach initiated noise control engineering training which ultimately resulted in the completion of successful noise control projects and stimulated resource sharing between plants.  The JM revised metric approach has been enthusiastically embraced by both plant managers and employees due to their ability to directly impact the noise exposure of workers.  This innovative JM data driven approach has demonstrated practical implementation in the short-term and will provide for long-term program monitoring and advocacy. The JM “Hearing Conservation Pyramid” is readily adaptable to other noise-exposed industries who wish to become proactive rather than reactive to the risk of noise-induced hearing loss among their workforce. 
Johns Manville (JM), a Berkshire Hathaway Company Presentation (Adobe Flash Required)

From L to R: Jeanne Virtue (JM), Barbara Menard (JM), John Howard (NIOSH). Photo Courtesy: Jack Foreman

The 2013 Award recipient for the Innovation in Hearing Loss Prevention was:

Dangerous Decibels® is a multi-faceted, evidence-based intervention program dedicated to the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus. The Dangerous Decibels program has been built upon collaborative partnerships between the Oregon Health & Science University, the Portland State University, the University of Northern Colorado and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry with widespread funding and dissemination support by numerous organizations. Dangerous Decibels was recognized for their development, widespread dissemination and cultural adaptation of innovative training strategies shown to positively change knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in youth and adults.  The program is unique in terms of the solid scientific and theoretical basis which incorporates health communication theory into all program aspects including science museum exhibits, virtual exhibits, K-12 classroom programs, educator training workshops, “Jolene – How Loud is Your Music” public outreach tools and research.   Dangerous Decibels emphasizes the need to protect hearing for a “lifetime” and bridges the occupational and non-occupational noise risks. Dangerous Decibels is changing the culture of hearing loss prevention across all ages and investing in the hearing health of current and future workers.
(Dangerous Decibels® Presentation (Adobe Flash Required)


From L to R: William Hal Martin (DD), John Howard (NIOSH), Ga-Lo Vann (DD), Susan Griest (DD), Deanna Meinke (DD). L to R, front row:  Linda Howarth and Judy Sobel (DD). Photo Courtesy: Jack Foreman




From L to R: back row: Pam Graydon (NIOSH, SiS), Deanna Meinke (DD), Thais Morata (NIOSH, SiS), John Howard (NIOSH), Judy Sobel (DD), Ga-Lo Vann (DD), Susan Griest (DD), Rick Neitzel (SiS), James Lankford (SiS), John Franks (SiS), Laura Kauth (NHCA). Left to right, front row: Linda Howarth (DD), William Hal Martin (DD), Andrew Perkins (VMC), Kelly Bailey (VMC), Kelly Bailey (VM),   Andrew Perkins (VM). Photo Courtesy: Jack Foreman.

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