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Guidelines Part 7

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Guidelines Part 7 - Division 1 - Noise Exposure

G7.2 Exposure limits

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005

Section 7.2 of the OHS Regulation states:

An employer must ensure that a worker is not exposed to noise levels above either of the exposure limits:

(a) 85 dBA Lex daily noise exposure level, or

(b) 140 dBC peak sound level.

The daily noise exposure of a worker, Lex, is derived from the Leq measured with a noise dosimeter or integrating sound level meter (SLM) over a sample time. If a sample time, such as 30 minutes, is representative of the entire shift's noise then:

The measured sample Leq is equal to the Leq for the shift.
Lex can be regarded as a Leq corrected for those workers not working shifts of 8 hour duration.
Lex can be obtained from the measured Leq by applying a correction factor. To determine the correction, use the following nomogram:

Corrected Leq

For example, if the worker is exposed to a measured level of 88 dBA Leq for a period of 10 hours, the Lex equals 89 dBA (88 plus 1 =9).

In establishing noise exposure, dosimeter measurements cannot be used to determine peak sound levels. Peaks must be measured directly by the surveyor at the time of exposure using a noise meter set to "Peak" response and "C-weighting."

Occasionally, noise survey results may be questionable due to unrepresentative work conditions prevailing when the survey was done. In such cases, the Lex over a term longer than a normal workday shift may be more desirable. The Lex for other work periods may be obtained by direct measurement or by predicting Lex for the different conditions for the remaining days of a typical cyclical work period, such as a week. The final Lex value is obtained from the logarithmic mean of the Lex values for all days of the cycle.

G7.3-1 Noise measurement - When required and performance

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005; Revised April 4, 2007; Editorial Revision June 6, 2007

Regulatory excerpt
Section 7.3 of the OHS Regulation ("Regulation") states:

(1) If a worker is or may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of noise, or if information indicates that a worker may be exposed to a level exceeding 82 dBA Lex, the employer must measure the noise exposure.

(2) The noise exposure measurement must

(a) be performed in accordance with CSA Standard Z107.56-94, Procedures for the Measurement of Occupational Noise Exposure, as amended from time to time, except as otherwise determined by the Board, and

(b) be updated if a change in equipment or process affects the noise level or the duration of noise exposure.

(3) Except as otherwise determined by the Board, noise dosimeters and sound level meters used for measuring noise exposure must meet the requirements of ANSI Standard S1.25-1991, Specification for Personal Noise Dosimeters, as amended from time to time.

(4) The employer must inform affected workers of the results of any noise exposure measurement and the significance of the measurement to risk of hearing loss.

Purpose of guideline
The purpose of this guideline is to

Discuss the use of sound level meters (SLMs) under section 7.3(1)
Highlight the current applicable standard by which noise exposure measurement must be performed under section 7.3(2)(a)
Present some specifications for personal noise dosimeters under section 7.3(3)
Discuss considerations when using older dosimeters that have a criterion level other than 85 dBA.

Use of SLMs under section 7.3(1)
Noise exposure measurements conducted in accordance with section 7.3(1) of the Regulation serve as an initial screening survey to determine if further, more detailed surveys are required. Noise surveys may be carried out with non-integrating SLMs. However, the data obtained must represent an 8-hour exposure level (Lex) for comparison with the screening standard of Lex of 82 dBA. The types of noise, patterns of work, times of breaks, production variables, and worker exposure hours combined with carefully selected grab samples from the SLM should be considered when determining the occupational noise exposure.

Current applicable CSA Standard for procedures for the measurement of occupational noise exposure
For the purposes of section 7.3(2)(a), CSA Standard Z107.56-06, Procedures for the Measurement of Occupational Noise Exposure is the current applicable CSA standard. CSA Standard Z107.56-06 contains the minimum acceptable procedures for the measurement of occupational noise exposure. Note that some of the amendments to CSA Standard Z107.56 between the 1994 and 2006 version include the addition of

References to newer and additional standards, some of which must be followed where applicable
A statement regarding how Lex can be determined from Leq (Annex C Division C.4)
A requirement for the microphone to be located above the outside edge of the wearer's shoulder or as near as is feasible (section 6.4.4.3). The 1994 version of the standard had stated that the microphone shall be located on the top of the wearer's shoulder or as near as is feasible
A warning about false peaks, especially when fitting or removing microphones and while at breaks (section 6.4.4.3)
A recommendation that unwitnessed high peaks should be investigated (section 6.4.4.4)

Also, CSA Z107.56-06 no longer includes references to Pascal squared hour (Pa²h). Instead it refers to Lex, as does the Regulation.

WorkSafeBC has prepared two booklets entitled Occupational Noise Surveys and Basic Noise Calculations to assist employers in conducting a noise survey.

The booklets offer guidelines to acoustical consultants and others who need to comply with WorkSafeBC'S minimum acceptable requirements for surveys. Inquiries concerning the acceptability of other standards for measuring occupational noise exposure should be directed to the Industry and Labour Services department for evaluation.

Specifications for personal noise dosimeters
For the purposes of section 7.3(3), ANSI Standard S1.25-1991, Specification for Personal Noise Dosimeters is the current applicable standard. CSA Standard Z107.56-06, Procedures for Measurement of Occupational Noise Exposure specifies Type 2 tolerance for both integrating sound level meters and noise dosimeters. Type 2 relates to the accuracy required to measure occupational noise exposure.

A noise dosimeter is to be set as follows:

Criterion level = 85 dBA
Threshold level below or = 80 dBA or at "Off"
Exchange rate q = 3

Considerations when using dosimeters that are not or cannot be set to a criterion level of 85 dBA
It is important to know the criterion level of a dosimeter and to make appropriate adjustments to the readings if necessary. Older noise dosimeters in use may still be calibrated to read 100% noise dose when exposed to a sound level of 90 dBA averaged over an 8-hour period. To check a dosimeter's criterion level, inject a known noise dose using a calibrator generating a known level for a fixed period of time, and read the percentage noise dose acquired. For example, a Quest brand calibrator generates a noise dose of 110 dBA for 32 seconds. A dosimeter calibrated to a criterion level of 90 dBA would result in a reading of 11.1%; a dosimeter calibrated to a criterion dose of 85 dBA would read 35%. Older dosimeters, regardless of the criterion level they are set to, can still provide an accurate Leq as long as they are used with a threshold level equal to or less than 80 dBA and the appropriate technique for converting Leq from their noise dose reading and the sampling duration is used.

Availability of standards
CSA standards are available by contacting CSA International in their office in Richmond, B.C. or through their website at:
http://www.csa.ca/cm/ca/en/home

ANSI standards are available through their website at:
http://www.ansi.org

G7.3-2 Noise exposure data collected by prevention officers

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005; Editorial Revision February 6, 2006

Noise exposure measurements made by prevention officers through fieldwork should be copied to the Hearing Loss Prevention Section for inclusion in the noise level database. The following fields should be completed to facilitate record keeping:

Firm and location number
Industry Classification Unit (CU)
Occupation name for workers sampled
Noise exposure level in dBA Lex
Date of sampling
Inspection report (IR) number
Descriptive comments about the work activity and the equipment used

Officers should use the Noise Survey Template standard form supplied by the Hearing Loss Prevention Section to complete this information.

G7.4 Exemption

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005; Editorial Revision October 2005; Editorial Revision February 6, 2006

Section 7.4 of the OHS Regulation states:

7.4 An employer is not required to measure the noise exposure of a worker if

(a) based on other information, the employer identifies the worker as being exposed to noise in excess of an exposure limit, and

(b) the employer establishes an effective noise control and hearing conservation program for that worker.

Under section 7.4, an employer does not need to undertake a noise exposure measurement program if it can be determined a worker is exposed to noise in excess of the limits established by section 7.2 by some other means, such as the following:

The peak noise level limit of 140 dBC is routinely exceeded.
Short-term Leq measurements indicate that 85 dBA Lex is exceeded on a daily basis (for example, Leq measures at 100 dBA over a 15-minute period).
A database of worker noise exposures indicates members of a trade/occupation class to be overexposed on a daily basis. The Hearing Loss Prevention Section maintains an extensive database of this type. Contact them at HRNGCONS@worksafebc.com for noise exposure information. Refer also to OHS Guideline G7.8-4 for information on construction trades.
Noise emission labels on tools or equipment indicate there is a strong possibility of overexposure to noise when used or operated.
Exposure for groups of workers can be extrapolated from a database of job activities and corresponding partial noise exposures (for example, the Lex of firefighters based upon emergencies attended, equipment involved, typical Leq readings for the vehicles and average duration of each exposure).

If the employer uses one of the above means to determine that exposure is above the limits in section 7.2, then section 7.4(b) requires the employer to implement a noise control and hearing conservation program in accordance with section 7.5, except for noise measurement in 7.5(a).

G7.5-1 Program - Education and training

Issued January 1, 2005

Section 7.5(b) of the OHS Regulation states:

If noise in the workplace exceeds either of the noise exposure limits, the employer must develop and implement an effective noise control and hearing conservation program with the following elements: . . .

(b) education and training; . . .

The education and training of workers exposed to noise above the stated exposure limits as defined in section 7.2 should include:

The results of any noise exposure measurements
The effects of noise on hearing
The proper use and maintenance of hearing protection
The purpose of hearing testing

Two brochures, Hear for Good and Testing Your Hearing, How and Why, and a video, The Hearing Video, are available to assist employers in implementing the education and training components of the program. The brochures are available on the WCB web site at:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/HearingLossPrevention/Resources.asp

Information on how to order printed brochures and the video is provided at:
http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/ how_to_order_publications_and_videos/.

G7.5-2 Annual program review

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005; Editorial Revision October 2005; Editorial Revision February 6, 2006

Section 7.5(g) of the OHS Regulation states:

If noise in the workplace exceeds either of the noise exposure limits, the employer must develop and implement an effective noise control and hearing conservation program with the following elements: . . .

(g) annual program review.

The employer needs to review the noise control and hearing conservation program at least annually to ensure its effectiveness. The review should address:

The need for further noise measurement
The education and training of workers regarding noise exposure
The adequacy of noise control measures
Selection and use of hearing protection
Hearing testing and information on the rate and extent of occupational hearing loss

The Hearing Loss Prevention Section has produced a Hearing Conservation Program Evaluation Checklist (pdf 11KB) and sample written hearing conservation programs (Sample Written Hearing Conservation Programs -- small employer (pdf 30KB) and Sample Written Hearing Conservation Programs -- large employer (pdf 38KB)) to assist employers in achieving compliance with program requirements. These are available on the WorkSafeBC web site at:
www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/HearingLossPrevention/Resources.asp

G7.6-1 Investigating controls

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005

Section 7.6 of the OHS Regulation states:

If a worker is exposed to noise above a noise exposure limit, the employer must

(a) investigate options for engineered noise control, and

(b) when practicable, implement one or more of those options to reduce noise exposure of workers to or below the exposure limits.

When noise exposure exceeds either exposure limit set out in section 7.2 of the OHS Regulation, the employer is required to investigate ways of reducing noise exposure. An employer may achieve this through review of information provided in trade journals specific to their industries, through contacts in the business or trade associations, or by consulting an acoustical engineer or occupational hygienist.

The use of hearing protection devices should be considered a temporary measure only. Implementation of successful noise control will reduce the ongoing costs of a hearing conservation program in the long run.

G7.6-2 Implementing controls

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005

Section 7.6 of the OHS Regulation states:

If a worker is exposed to noise above a noise exposure limit, the employer must

(a) investigate options for engineered noise control, and

(b) when practicable, implement one or more of those options to reduce noise exposure of workers to or below the exposure limits.

Section 7.6(b) requires the employer, when practicable, to implement one or more options for engineered noise control to reduce worker exposure to or below the exposure limits. "Practicable" as defined in section 1.1 of the OHS Regulation, means "that which is reasonably capable of being done." The incentive for controlling noise increases with the degree of overexposure and associated increasing risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

Noise control solutions lie on a continuum, starting with quick fixes, through regular maintenance, extending through low-cost solutions to large capital expense programs (see examples of controls below). One guide in deciding whether noise control is practicable is to determine if the control measure has been adopted by the industry and found acceptable. Although noise control frequently may be technically capable of being done, it may prove to be impracticable. In some instances, noise control solutions are only achieved through long-term research and development programs or complete rebuilds. However, research and development programs may place an unreasonable economic burden on an individual employer and are therefore considered impracticable. Complete rebuilds would likely also be impracticable unless the employer is, for other business reasons, planning to rebuild a facility.

Some examples of typical means for engineered noise control are set out below.

Repairing: Cover holes in walls/windows/doors of noise enclosures/operator booths, engine mufflers, doors seals, and sills.
Fitting: Install compressed air exhaust mufflers, air jet noise silencer nozzles, etc.
Changing: Change "screaming" saw blades for quieter blades.
Applying: Apply mechanical damping treatment to steel panels in impact situations, shock absorber configurations in material handling, duct silencers for fan noise, etc.
Enclosing: Enclose planers, molders, punch presses, air compressors, and circular saws.
Isolating: Provide noise enclosure booths (complete or partial) for graders, planermen, and the operators of mobile equipment, veneer lathes, headrigs, edgers, and cutoff saws.
Installing: Install absorbent panels on walls/ceiling near noisy tools, absorbent ceiling baffles, etc.
Substituting: Provide quieter machines/tools/processes such as hydraulic rather than pneumatic power or impact force.
Developing: Develop treatment for band mills, hard rock drills, electric arc furnaces, etc.
Modifying: Change the work process or equipment.
Designing and acoustically treating: Modify the work area.

G7.7-1 Selection of hearing protection

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005

Section 7.7(1)(c) of the OHS Regulation states:

(1) If it is not practicable to reduce noise levels to or below noise exposure limits, the employer must . . .

(c) give to affected workers hearing protection that meets the requirements of CSA Standard Z94.2-02, Hearing Protection Devices - Performance, Selection, Care, and Use, as amended from time to time, except as otherwise determined by the Board, and maintain the hearing protection so that it continues to meet those standards, and

Selection criteria

The current applicable standard is the CSA Standard Z94.2-02 Hearing Protection Devices - Performance, Selection, Care, and Use. This standard provides a process for selecting adequate hearing protection for noise-exposed individuals, taking into account factors such as:

Worker noise exposure
Worker hearing ability
Use of other personal protective equipment
Temperature and climate
Physical constraints of the worker or work activity
Comfort

Comfort is a selection criterion specified in the standard and is considered as important as attenuation (sound reduction). It is important since workers will be more likely to properly wear their hearing protectors if there is a comfortable fit, thereby increasing self-compliance.

Hearing protection classification/grade

The CSA Standard Z94.2-02 Hearing Protection Devices - Performance, Selection, Care, and Use has two tables that are to be used together in selecting hearing protection. The first table provides information on the recommended class or grade of protector for the worker's noise exposure. There are two different rating systems, based on two different ways of measuring hearing protector attenuation. The grade rating method is more reflective of the attenuation the protection will likely deliver in the workplace. Just as Class A protection has more attenuation than Class B, Grade 4 protection has more than Grade 3, and so on.

The second table provides guidance on protection outcomes to prevent overprotection -- the wearing of hearing protection with too much attenuation. Overprotection is undesirable as it:

May prevent workers from hearing audible warning signals
Reduces the ability of workers to verbally communicate in the noisy environment, resulting in temporary removal of hearing protection
Results in the need for workers to "yell" at one another, causing voice strain
Limits a worker's ability to hear changes in machinery or process performance that may indicate developing production problems
Does not provide any additional protection against noise-induced hearing loss

Application of the selection criteria in the standard typically means more than one style and class or grade of hearing protector should be made available to workers. For example, if a worksite has noise exposures ranging from 85-98 dBA Lex, then Class A and Class B (Grade 3, 2, and 1) protection should be supplied, to accommodate the criterion "daily noise exposure of the worker." Similarly, if there are workers with hearing impairment at the worksite, Class A and B (Grade 3, 2, and 1) protection should be supplied to accommodate the criterion "worker hearing ability." In addition, earplugs and earmuffs will likely have to be supplied to accommodate the criteria "use of other personal protective equipment," "temperature and climate," and "physical constraints of the worker." This last criterion includes such aspects as very small or very large ear canals, sensitive skin in the ear canal, and unusual head size or shape.

Specialized hearing protection

Beyond these conventional protectors, the following types of workers may need more specialized hearing protection, due to listening demands:

Workers with significant hearing losses
Supervisors
Trades workers
Vehicle operators
Instructors
Musicians (performers as well as technical support personnel)
Hospitality workers

Where one- or two-way radio communication is required, a commercially manufactured hearing protection device with built-in speakers and/or microphone should be supplied. There is an entire section in the 2002 CSA standard devoted to specialized hearing protection.

The standard also states that hearing protection must be visually inspected during the annual hearing test for condition and fit.

Further information regarding hearing protection is available in the brochure Hear for Good and in the standard practice manual Sound Advice. Both are available on the WCB web site at:
www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/HearingLossPrevention/Resources.asp

CSA standards are available by contacting CSA International in their office in Richmond, B.C., or through their website at:
http://www.csa.ca/cm/home

G7.7-2 Warning signs and hearing protection

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005

Section 7.7(1)(b) of the OHS Regulation states:

(1) If it is not practicable to reduce noise levels to or below noise exposure limits, the employer must . . .

(b) post warning signs in the noise hazard areas . . .

Section 7.7(2) of the OHS Regulation states:

(2) Workers in a posted noise hazard area must wear hearing protection.

Sometimes workers move in and out of noise hazard areas during their workday. Supervisors or other workers whose duties require them to routinely work in posted noise hazard areas must be provided with, and wear, hearing protection in the posted areas. Workers who briefly and infrequently pass through posted noise hazard areas do not need to wear hearing protection, except in areas where the exposure limit for peak sound level is exceeded.

The employer may establish workplace policies which exceed the requirements of the OHS Regulation regarding the use of hearing protection in noise hazard areas. For example, the employer may instruct workers that use of hearing protection is mandatory for all workers in any designated noise hazard area in their facility.

Hearing protection does not need to be worn when the source of noise that makes the area hazardous is shut down.

G7.8-1 Annual hearing tests

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005; Editorial Revision April 4, 2007

Regulatory excerpt

Section 7.8(1) of the OHS Regulation ("Regulation") states:

The employer must give workers who are exposed to noise that exceeds noise exposure limits

(a) an initial hearing test as soon as practicable after employment starts, but not later than 6 months after the start of employment, and

(b) a test at least once every 12 months after the initial test.

Purpose of guideline
The purpose of this guideline is to discuss the application of section 7.8(1) to industries in which workers may not be employed continuously for more than six months.

Background
There are a number of industries where noise levels are known to exceed the exposure limits in section 7.2 and in which workers may not be employed continuously for more than six months; however, workers are usually employed in these industries for many months each year. Examples of such industries are fish processing, shipbuilding, logging, and construction.

Level of risk

Some industries, such as agriculture, involve workforces that are a mix of stable and seasonal workers, who may be exposed to a range of noise levels. Typically, fieldworkers will be exposed to low noise levels and would not need to be tested. Persons most at risk would likely include those farmers, ranchers, and workers who operate equipment with high noise levels, and those who work in some indoor operations involving raising of animals or fowl.

Program options for testing workers

Section 7.8(1) establishes an obligation to test any new worker who is exposed above the noise exposure limits, not just those workers who stay for 6 months with the employer. If the employment lasts less than 6 months, the test should be done within that timeframe or period. In this context, the employer should have a reasonably effective program for testing workers. Two common ways of doing this are as follows:

Arrange for a hearing testing contractor to visit the place of workplace
Set up an in-house testing program

With regard to the first option, the visits may be at regular intervals selected by the employer, such as every three months. Alternatively, the employer might arrange the visits for a convenient time in a project, such as before workers leave town to go to a remote area. In either case, if the employer sets up a reasonable program, WorkSafeBC will not be concerned if some workers missed the testing because they started work just after, or finished employment just before, a testing contractor arrived.

In some situations, for example in rural agricultural operations, options other than the two listed above may be appropriate. For example, workers may be sent to a testing facility where available in a nearby town, or workers from a number of farms or ranches may be tested at a location common to them, or at another workplace in the area with an in-house testing program.

Out of province employers
A similar issue arises for out-of-province employers who operate in B.C. for short periods of time. If the workers are working in B.C. for a total of 6 months or more in a year, then hearing tests meeting the requirements of section 7.8 are required for those workers.

G7.8-2 Authorized hearing testers

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005

Section 7.8(2) of the OHS Regulation states:

Hearing tests must be administered by a hearing tester authorized by the Board.

A list of authorized hearing test contractors is available on the WCB web site at:
www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/HearingLoss/Prevention/FAQ.asp

Details regarding the standards, criteria, and processes for authorizing testers and for removing authorization are contained in the Administration Procedures - Industrial Audiometry. This document is available on the WCB web site at: www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/HearingLossPrevention/IATCertification.asp

Authorized testers have been trained to:

Obtain relevant medical history information
Record the hearing tests in a manner required by the Board
Advise the worker of the test results
Counsel the worker on the use and maintenance of hearing protection
On request, provide a copy of the test results to the worker

The employer must not disclose or publish a worker's medical history information except as permitted by the Board, in accordance with section 156(1)(a) of the Workers Compensation Act. Section 156 states that:

(1) A person must not disclose or publish the following information, except for the purpose of administering this Act and the regulations or as otherwise required by law:

(a) information obtained in a medical examination, test or X-ray of a worker made or taken under this Part, Part 4 or the regulations, unless the worker consents or the information is disclosed in a form calculated to prevent the information from being identified with a particular person or case; . . .

An employer should also not retain a copy of a worker's medical history.

G7.8-3 Hearing test results

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005; Editorial Revision 2005; Editorial Revision February 6, 2006

Section 7.8(3) of the OHS Regulation states:

The employer must ensure that the authorized hearing tester sends the test results to the Board.

The Hearing Loss Prevention Section maintains a database of hearing tests. Annual statistical reports are provided to all employers that submit hearing test data, confirming numbers and categories of tests processed. The report includes a breakdown by type and category of each hearing test. It is expected that the employer will use this report to determine the rate and extent of occupational hearing loss in their workers when reviewing the hearing conservation program on an annual basis. Prevention officers may obtain this type of statistical report for a particular firm and location, at any time, to assist in evaluating compliance.

G7.8-4 Construction industry

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005

Section 7.8 of the OHS Regulation states:

(1) The employer must give workers who are exposed to noise that exceeds noise exposure limits

(a) an initial hearing test as soon as practicable after employment starts, but not later than 6 months after the start of employment, and

(b) a test at least once every 12 months after the initial test.

(2) Hearing tests must be administered by a hearing tester authorized by the Board.

(3) The employer must ensure that the authorized hearing tester sends the test results to the Board.

In October 1987, an agreement was established between the Board and the construction industry (joint worker/employer representation through the B.C. Construction Association) that workers employed in certain occupations in some construction industry classifications are routinely exposed to noise in excess of the exposure limits. The agreement applies to the classification units (CUs) in the following subsectors:

7210 General Construction (with the exception of subunits 721016, 721023, 721029, 721030, 721044 which are not considered hazardously noisy)
7220 Heavy Construction
7230 Road Building

Noise-exposed occupations in the construction industry

In these CUs, a worker employed in one of the following occupations is to be considered as routinely exposed to noise in excess of the exposure limits:

Bricklayer
Carpenter
Concrete worker (around a pump, vibrator, jack hammer, or powered finishing equipment)
Driller
Drywaller (shooting track or boarding)
Electrician
Form worker
Foreman
Framer
Labourer
Mobile equipment operator
Pipefitter
Plumber
Roofer (shake, tar/gravel, membrane, shingle)
Sandblaster
Steel erector
Supervisor
Truck driver
Welder/fabricator

A worker in one of the above occupations should normally be part of a hearing test program meeting the requirements of section 7.8. If any worker in one of the listed occupations is not part of a hearing test program, orders may be written on the employer without measuring noise exposure of the worker. There is an extensive noise database documenting exposures for these occupations; the database was established in the mid-1980s and updated in the late 1990s. However, the officer will consider any evidence presented by the employer showing that a particular worker need not be on a hearing test program. For example, noise dosimetry carried out in June 1995 indicates that some mobile equipment operators (operators of modern tracked excavators and front-end loaders) have noise exposure levels below 85 dBA Lex. Advancements in the engineering of engine exhaust, hydraulic, and fan components on this equipment have resulted in lower noise exposures for the operators.

Note that the requirement for a hearing test program is not restricted to the listed occupations. There may be other occupations in these CUs in which workers are exposed to noise in excess of the exposure limits.

Payment for a construction worker's hearing tests

To assist construction industry employers in the above CUs to comply with the hearing test program requirements, the Board has established:

A central registry of hearing test results
A card validation system so each construction worker can show when his/her hearing was tested
A program to pay an authorized hearing test agency a fee per hearing test performed

The Board sets the fee paid to the hearing test agency for each test. The funding for this program is collected from the construction industry as a whole by charging an additional assessment to the CUs referred to above. This is pursuant to section 113(5) of the Workers Compensation Act, which provides that the Board may charge a class or subclass with the cost of investigations, inspections, and other services provided to the class or subclass for the prevention of injuries and illness.

An employer in one of the above CUs may comply with the requirements of section 7.8 without using the Board-administered program if the employer wishes. However, employers who participate in and comply with the Board's program are exempt from the obligation to conduct noise exposure measurement under section 7.4 of the OHS Regulation.

G7.9 Test records

Issued August 1999; Revised January 1, 2005; Editorial Revision October 2005; Editorial Revision February 6, 2006

Section 7.9 of the OHS Regulation states:

The employer must keep records of

(a) the annual hearing test results for each worker, which must

(i) be kept as long as the worker is employed by the employer, and

(ii) be kept confidential and not released to anyone without the written permission of the worker, or as otherwise required by law,

(b) the education and training provided to workers, and

(c) the results of noise exposure measurements taken under section 7.3.

Original copies of WCB Form H45E32 (the blue and white audiogram form) need not be present onsite at the worksite to fulfill the requirements of section 7.9. The employer may choose to have the hearing test contractor who conducted the tests maintain the hearing test records on behalf of the employer, or to have an occupational health services provider employed by the firm retain the records. Such arrangements should be set out in a written agreement.

A prevention officer may ask for other evidence of compliance with section 7.8 (provision of annual hearing tests to noise exposed workers) such as a copy of the Hearing Conservation Annual Report. This report is provided every February to all employers who submitted hearing test results to the Board in the previous year. The report includes a list of all workers tested (Forms Processed List) and a statistical breakdown of tests into various categories. The Hearing Loss Prevention Section can also provide an officer or employer with year-to-date summaries of the number of tests carried out and a list of workers tested for a given firm and year.

On construction sites, noise exposed workers should normally carry a current Record of Hearing Test card validating that they have been tested. The worker may be asked by a prevention officer to show the test record card.

An officer may ask the employer to obtain actual copies of hearing tests from the hearing test contractor if the officer feels this is necessary to verify compliance. The contractor should provide these to the employer on request.

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Disclaimer: The Worker and Employer Services Division issues Guidelines to help with the application and interpretation of sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and with divisions of the Workers Compensation Act that relate to health and safety. Guidelines are not intended to provide exclusive interpretations but to assist with compliance. WorkSafeBC ("Workers' Compensation Board of B.C.") does not warrant the accuracy or the completeness of the online version of the Guidelines and neither WorkSafeBC nor its board of directors, employees or agents shall be liable to any persons for any loss or damage of any nature, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, which may be occasioned as a result of the use of the online version of the Guidelines.