Amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Health Code," by adopting certain provisions of the National Fire Protection Association Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, NFPA 1500, related to hearing protection measures for Firefighters and Paramedics, with amendments thereto, all under certain terms and conditions.

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

Section 1. Additions to the Code made by this ordinance are set forth herein in

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. Deletions from the Code made by this Ordinance are set forth in

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Section 2. Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Health Code,” is hereby amended to read as follows:

Title 6. Health Code.

Chapter 6-400. Miscellaneous Standards and Requirements.

Chapter 6-401. Occupational and Industrial Hygiene.

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(a) The City of Philadelphia shall provide hearing protection that must be used by all Fire Department members operating or riding on fire apparatus and subject to noise in excess of 85 dBA.

(b) The City of Philadelphia shall provide hearing protection that must be used by all Fire Department members when exposed to noise in excess of 85 dBA that is caused by power tools or equipment, other than in situations where the use of such protective equipment would create an additional hazard to the user.

(c) Hearing protective equipment provided pursuant to this section shall be limited to ear muffs that provide effective sound attenuation and rapid donning, and that are equipped with built-in speakers and volume controls to enable radio and intercom communications.

(d) The Fire Department shall engage in a hearing conservation program to identify and reduce or eliminate potentially harmful sources of noise in the work environment.

Section 3. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.

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