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NOISE
CONTROL AND HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
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A worker may not have a daily exposure to noise that is greater than 90
dBA. (Hearing Conservation and Noise Control Regulation 227/94, 6)
NOISE CONTROL AND HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
The joint health and safety committee (JHSC) must be consulted about sound control measures to reduce worker exposure below 80 dBA, educational programs for workers exposed to noise above 80 dBA, hearing protection provided, and instruction to workers on the fitting, use, and care of hearing protectors. (Hearing Conservation and Noise Control Regulation 227/94, 2, 4, 5)
Worker exposure to noise must be assessed when the
employer first has reason to believe that the exposure is over 80dBA. Assess
again anytime it is suspected that exposure has exceeded 80dBA. Measurement
must be in accordance with CSA Z107.56-94 Procedures for the Measurement of
Occupational Noise Exposure. A written report of the assessment must be
prepared. A copy of report must be posted and made available to any worker
exposed over 80dBA. A copy must also be forwarded to JHSC members. Sound
records must be kept for 10 years. (Hearing Conservation and Noise Control
Regulation 227/94, 3)
The
employer must provide an educational program about excessive sound exposure to
those workers and their supervisors exposed to noise above 80 dBA.
The employer must provide an educational program about excessive sound exposure and role of hearing protectors in reducing exposure, the fitting, care, and use of respirators to those workers and their supervisors exposed above 85 dBA.
Workers who wear hearing protection must be informed of its limitations, and be instructed in the fitting, care, and use of hearing protectors. (Hearing Conservation and Noise Control Regulation 227/94, 4)
Where worker exposure is greater than 80dBA but less than 85dBA, the employer must reduce all, some, or no worker exposure below 80dBA by engineering or administrative controls.
Where worker exposure is greater than 85dBAbut less than 90dBA, the employer must reduce all, some, or no worker exposure below 85/80dBA by engineering or administrative controls.
Where worker exposure is greater than 90dBA, the
employer must reduce all, some, or no worker exposure below 90dBA by
engineering or administrative controls. (Hearing Conservation and Noise Control
Regulation 227/94, 4)
Where noise levels are greater than 85dBA but less than 90dBA, the employer must provide hearing protection on request.
If the employer satisfies the director that it is not reasonably practicable to reduce exposure below 90 dBA, the employer must provide hearing protectors to every worker who is exposed to noise above 90dBA and ensure that it is worn.
Hearing protection must conform to standard.
The employer must perform tests to
ensure the hearing protector fits the worker and that hearing protectors are
maintained in a good state of repair. (Hearing Conservation and Noise Control
Regulation 227/94, 5 - 6)
Signs must be posted warning of exposure to harmful
sound and that hearing protection is required where worker exposure is greater
than 90dBA. (Hearing
Conservation and Noise Control Regulation 227/94, 6)
Workers exposed to noise above 90dBA must have hearing tests, ear exam, health history, and an assessment of their hearing loss performed annually, and no later than 70 days after first exposure to 90dBA sound. The employer must pay for the hearing surveillance.
Health information must be kept
confidential and records kept by a physician at least 10 years after employment
ceases. (Hearing Conservation and Noise Control Regulation 227/94, 13)
The employer must prepare an annual report detailing steps taken to comply with the regulation. A copy of the report must be sent to the JHSC, the director, and the hearing surveillance physician. (Hearing Conservation and Noise Control Regulation 227/94, 17)
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