CINCINNATI, Ohio — The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) have introduced the 'Safe-in-Sound' Award to recognize organizations that document measurable achievements in hearing loss prevention programs, and to obtain information on their real world successes.

Do you know a construction, manufacturing or services company that has a successful hearing loss prevention program? Or do you know of a company company, from any economic sector, that has created an innovative approach to hearing loss prevention? Then  consider nominating them for the 'Safe-in-Sound' Award, a new award for excellence in hearing loss prevention being offered by NIOSH and NHCA. The first award will be given in February 2009.

In 2007, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has partnered with the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) to create an award for Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention.  This award is called the Safe-In-Sound Award.

Four awards in 2009 will honor excellent hearing loss prevention (HLP) practices in the work environment. Applicants will be evaluated against key performance indicators in a review process designed to evaluate hearing loss prevention programs in each of three work sectors; construction, manufacturing and service sectors for three 2009 Safe-In-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Sector Awards. In addition, a fourth award for Innovation in Hearing Loss Prevention will recognize an individual and/or business entity, regardless of sector/NAICS code affiliation.

For more information on the award and for nomination forms, click here or visit http://www.safeinsound.us.

Comittee History. The NIOSH/NHCA expert committee was established as part of a NIOSH Public Health Practice Project (#927Z8UF). Project funding was provided by three North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) sectors; Construction (23), Manufacturing (31-33) and Services (51-56, 61, 71-72, 81 & 92). Six expert committee members were selected by project director; Dr. Thais Morata. Individual committee members have diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise in hearing loss prevention. The initial kick-off meeting was held on July 26, 2007 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Both an open session attended by NIOSH staff and a closed work-session meeting were held. Committee work has been accomplished by a series of conference call meetings and email correspondence.