Teams from Northrop Grumman, Rational Acoustics win NIOSH’S annual Safe-in-Sound awards
Washington — The Northrop Grumman St. Augustine (FL) Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence and Rational Acoustics LLC are the respective recipients of the 2022 NIOSH Safe-in-Sound Excellence and Innovation in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards.
The awards recognize organizations and professionals who implement effective practices or innovations to help prevent noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus among workers exposed to noise on the job. The National Hearing Conservation Association presented the awards Feb. 11, in conjunction with NIOSH and the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation.
A facility that produces, modifies, repairs and overhauls military aircraft, the Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence employs about 1,100 people. NIOSH, NHCA and CAOHC recognize the center for exhibiting excellence in multiple areas of hearing loss prevention. Among them:
- Ongoing noise monitoring
- Implementing noise controls
- Offering alternative hearing protection devices; hearing protection fit-testing; and cutting-edge, communication-enhanced electronic hearing protection devices as needed
- Engaging employees at all levels to continuously improve training
Senior instructor and project manager Michael Lawrence, alongside president, owner and training director Jamie Anderson, earned additional commendation for Rational Acoustics LLC’s Innovation in Hearing Loss Prevention Award.
In a press release, NIOSH calls the organization’s sound system analysis, Smaart, “the industry standard platform for system measurement and alignment in the live events industry” since its inception in 1995. Rational Acoustics recently unveiled an enhanced version of the tool that equips sound engineers with the technology to manage in real time sound exposure risk for sound mixers, event crew and concert attendees while measuring sound levels.
“Although two very different companies, both recipients were chosen for being real-world examples of successful hearing loss prevention initiatives in fields where work conditions can lead to several hearing problems,” NIOSH says.
NIOSH, NHCA and CAOHC are accepting nominations for the 2023 Safe-in-Sound award through July 15. To submit a nomination, email [email protected].
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