Search Results

"hearing test" found in 1 Regulations

1. WORKPLACE HEALTH REGULATIONS

   NOISE CONTROL

   NOISE CONTROL

   4

   (1) When a worker's exposure to steady state noise or impact noise or both exceeds the permissible noise exposure levels the employer shall institute engineering controls to reduce the noise levels to or below the permissible values.

   (2) All persons exposed to excessive noise levels shall be provided with and shall wear a hearing protection device.

   (3) A worker's exposure to steady state and impact noise shall be limited to the following permissible values:

   Steady State Noise
   Noise Level (dBA)	Maximum Daily Exposure Time Without Hearing Protection (Hours)
   85	8
   88	4
   91	2
   94	1
   97	1/2
   100	1/4
   over 103	0

   Impact Noise
   Peak Sound Pressure Level (dB)	Maximum Number of Impacts per 24-Hour Period
   118	14400
   121	7200
   124	3600
   127	1800
   130	900
   133	450
   136	225
   139	112
   140	90
   over 140	0

   5

   (1) Where muff type hearing protectors are worn, the worker shall be responsible for wearing hair and personal apparel in such a manner that the muff maintains an effective seal around the ears.

   (2) Workers in any work area shall not wear muff type hearing protectors or headsets which have been designed or modified to accept AM or FM radio or other music sources.

   (3) Subsection (2) does not apply to muff type hearing protectors designed and used for the express purpose of two-way radio or speech communication.

   (4) Every employer shall post and maintain clearly worded warning signs at entrances to, or on the periphery of, areas where persons are exposed to noise levels in excess of the limits specified in these regulations; these signs shall clearly state that a noise hazard exists and shall describe the protective equipment required.

   6

   (1) In any place of employment at which workers are exposed to noise in excess of the criteria stated in these regulations, the employer shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a audiometric test program for those workers routinely exposed to noise levels in excess of the following:

   (a) 80 dBA steady state noise for 8 hours, or

   (b) impact noise of:

   Peak Sound Pressure Level (dB)	Maximum Number of Impacts per 24-Hour Period
   over 135	0
   135	90
   134	112
   131	225
   128	450
   125	900
   122	1800
   119	3600
   116	7200
   113	14400

   (2) The audiometric testing program shall include the following requirements:

   (a) every worker exposed to noise levels in excess of those listed in subsection (1) shall receive an annual audiometric examination;

   (b) each new worker who will be exposed to noise in excess of levels listed in clause (1) shall receive a audiometric examination within 6 months of the commencement of employment;

   (c) a worker shall receive additional periodic follow-up examinations in any of the following circumstances:

   i. where a worker has been exposed to an unusually loud noise, such as an explosion;

   ii. where an ear infection, head injury, or complaint related to the ear has occurred;

   iii. where an audiogram has been classified as “abnormal change”.

   (3) Each hearing test shall be administered by a physician, an audiologist or a certified audiometric technician.

   (4) Audiometric tests shall be conducted within a facility where the octave band sound pressure levels do not exceed those specified in the following table: (see table)

   Octave-Band Centre Frequency (HZ)	Octave-Band Sound Pressure Level (Decibels)
   500	30
   1000	30
   2000	35
   4000	42
   8000	45

   (5) Each initial hearing test shall include a personal medical history of the worker; such medical history records shall not be duplicated or copies kept by the employer and shall be maintained confidentially by the board.

   (6) Every employer conducting an audiometric testing program shall maintain a record of the audiometric test in respect of each worker, and shall keep a record of the test, for so long as the worker remains employed by that employer.

   (7) The authorized tester shall record the hearing tests in a manner set by the board and submit the test results to the board; other persons may receive a copy of the test results with the permission of the worker.

   i. where in the opinion of the person conducting the hearing surveillance program the hearing of a worker has been impaired by excessive exposure to sound;

   ii. where audiometric examination of a worker discloses a hearing level in either ear averaging 25 decibels or more at 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 Hertz on a baseline audiogram;

   iii. where audiometric examination of a worker discloses a threshold shift from the baseline audiogram of 15 decibels or more in either ear at any audiometric test frequency from 1,000 Hertz to 6,000 Hertz inclusive;

   (8) the person conducting the audiometric testing program shall within 30 calendar days refer the worker to a supervising physician or to an audiologist engaged by the employer to conduct diagnostic tests and to review the worker’s health history and the assessment of the worker’s exposure to sound.