Is a hearing conservation program required in all jurisdictions in Canada?
Nine jurisdictions specifically require a hearing conservation program when:
Five jurisdictions do not have a specific requirement for a hearing conservation program (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Yukon).
However, as per Occupational Health and Safety legislation across Canada, employers have a duty to provide a safe work environment and take all reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of employees and others in the workplace. This duty is known as due diligence. To exercise due diligence, an employer should work with the health and safety committee (or representative) to create and implement a hearing conservation program when needed. Check with your jurisdiction for more guidance.
Note: dBA Lex means the level of a worker's total exposure to noise in dBA is averaged over an entire workday and adjusted to an equivalent eight-hour exposure.
- context Noise exceeds the jurisdiction's occupational exposure limit (five jurisdictions: Federal, Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island)
- context Noise exceeds 85 dBA Lex (four jurisdictions: Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Saskatchewan)
- context There is excess noise (one jurisdiction: Alberta).
When is a hearing conservation program recommended?
The employer should conduct a noise assessment at the workplace, according to the CSA Standard Z107.56 Measurement of Noise Exposure, if:
Note the requirement when to conduct a noise assessment (e.g., dBA level) may vary from jurisdiction. Conducting an assessment at an action level of 80 dBA provides more protection.
Please see the OHS Answers document Noise - Measurement of Workplace Noise for more information.
- context a worker is or is likely to be exposed to noise in excess of 80 dBA
- context an alteration, renovation or repair of the workplace
- context new equipment introduced in the workplace, or
- context a modification done to a work process, that may result in a significant change in a worker's exposure to noise.
- context there is
What are the elements of a hearing conservation program?
If noise monitoring confirms that workers are exposed to noise levels at or above 85 dBA, a hearing conservation program should be developed and implemented. The program includes a policy and procedure. The CSA Standard Z1007 Hearing Loss Prevention Program Management recommends that a hearing conservation program include the following elements:
Please see the OSH Answers document Guide to Writing an OHS Policy Statement for information.
- context Hazard identification and exposure monitoring
- context Control methods (using the hierarchy of controls)
- context Hearing protection devices (selection, use, and maintenance)
- context Audiometric testing
- context Hazard communication, education, and training
- context Recordkeeping, and
- context Continuous monitoring and improvement (program review).
How should noise exposure be controlled?
The employer should make sure that, if reasonably possible, measures are taken to reduce noise levels using the hierarchy of controls in the following order before providing hearing protection devices:
Please see the OSH Answers Noise – Control Measures for more information.
- elimination Eliminate the hazard
- requirement Engineering control
- substitution Substitution of equipment, and
- requirement Administrative controls
When is audiometric testing needed?
Audiometry is an important part of the hearing conservation program. It is the only way to determine if hearing loss is occurring or being prevented. Although existing hearing loss cannot be cured, the data can be used to:
Ten jurisdictions require audiometric tests when a worker's noise exposure is greater than:
One jurisdiction requires annual audiometric testing for those working in an underground mine or when Commission has reason to believe that a worker is or may be affected with an occupational disease (New Brunswick). There is no specific audiometric testing requirement in three jurisdictions (Federal, Nova Scotia, and Ontario).
Generally speaking, audiometric testing is recommended when a worker is exposed to noise levels greater than 85 dBA. Audiometric testing should be conducted according to CSA Standard Z107.6 Audiometric Testing for Use in Hearing Loss Prevention Programs, which outlines specifications for the testing facility, the equipment used, and those in charge of conducting audiometric tests.
The CSA Standard Z1007 Hearing Loss Prevention Program Management recommends that audiometric testing involves:
Please see the OHS Answers document Noise – Audiometric tests for more information.
- context Identify persons for follow-up and counselling
- context Determine trends
- context Make decisions on control measures
- context Motivate employees to use protective equipment
- context Create education opportunities
- context Trigger changes in the program
- context the jurisdictional occupational exposure limit (five jurisdictions: Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec)
- context 85 dBA Lex (four jurisdictions: Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Saskatchewan)
- context 80 dBA Lex or when the impact noise limits are exceeded (one jurisdiction: Yukon)
- context an initial hearing test, and
- context a hearing test at least once every 12 months after the initial test, or
- context a hearing test more frequently should the noise level exceed 105 dBA
What is recommended for hazard communication?
If it is not practicable to reduce noise levels to or below the noise exposure limits, the employer should post clearly visible warning signs at every approach to an area in the workplace in which the sound level:
- physical Exceeds 80 dBA – clearly marked with a sign that states “Warning” and identifies the range of noise levels
- physical Exceeds 85 dBA – clearly marked with a sign that states “Warning” and specifies that workers are required to wear single hearing protection device
- physical Exceeds 105 dBA – clearly marked with a sign that states “Warning” and specifies that workers are required to wear double hearing protection devices
What should be included in worker education and training?
Education and training should be provided to workers who are required to wear hearing protection devices. The education and training should cover all elements listed in CSA Z94.2 (i.e., selection, fit, use, care, maintenance, and inspection). The education and training should be repeated, as recommended in the Standards, at regular intervals and at least once every two years.
Education and training may include information about:
- context Why use hearing protection
- context When should protective equipment be worn, in what work areas, during what work activities
- context How should hearing protectors be selected and worn
- context Who is responsible for taking care of the protective equipment
- context How to take care of the protective equipment (storage, cleaning, etc.)
- context Company policy requirements for noise control and hearing conservation
- context Legislative requirements
What type of records and documents should be kept?
Keeping records of your assessment and any control measures implemented is very important. You may be required to store the records and documents for a specific number of years. Check for local requirements in your jurisdiction.
The level of documentation or record keeping will depend on:
Your records should show that you:
The results of the audiometric test itself may be considered a medical record, and as such, can only be released with the worker's written consent. The audiometric technician or organization may need to keep the results of the hearing test for a period of time as specified in by the jurisdiction.
- context Level of risk involved
- context Legislated requirements
- context Requirements of any management systems that may be in place
- context Conducted a good hazard review
- context Determined the risks of those hazards
- context Implemented control measures suitable for the risk
- context Reviewed and monitored all hazards in the workplace
What should be included in a program review or evaluation?
A program review or evaluation is done by auditing each of the program's steps and seeing how well they are being executed. For example, ask the following questions:
The program should be reviewed periodically to see if there is a need for changes.
- context Are all elements or steps in place?
- context Is it necessary to re-test or monitor the noise exposures?
- context Are there periodic education and training sessions?
- context What are the results from the audiometric tests?
- context Have changes in processes or equipment resulted in reduced hearing losses?
- context Do existing noise controls appear to be in good working condition and being used?
- context Have any modifications been made to controls, possibly reducing their effectiveness?
- context Is hearing protection available? Is it stored and maintained properly?
- context Are workers wearing their protection? Have they noted any issues?
- context Are warning signs posted where they are necessary?
- context When new machinery or equipment is being purchased, is “buying quiet” considered in the decision process?
- context Are further changes necessary to protect workers?