Q: Who requires a hearing test
A: Workers who are exposed to 85 dBA or greater averaged over a full work shift.
Q: As an employer, what are my responsibilities
A: Provide annual hearing tests for workers exposed to 85dBA or greater averaged
over a full work shift. To Provide Hearing protection when it is not practicable
to reduce noise levels. To maintain, in a manner acceptable to the board, a
record of the hearing tests for each worker. To review the noise control and
hearing conservation program annually to ensure its effectiveness. To post warning
signs in any work area where noise levels exceed 85dBA averaged over a full
work shift and 140dBA at peak sound levels. To ensure hearing tests are administered
by persons authorized by the board. To provide instructions on hearing protection
devices and how to use them. (Taken from WCB regulation 7.1 to 7.9)
Q: As an employee, what are my responsibilities
A: To wear proper fitting hearing protection in noise hazard areas and in accordance
with instructions provided by the employer. To show up for annual hearing test
when scheduled.
Q: How do I know if the noise level I am exposed to is too loud
A: There are two ways to determine this:
| 1. Have an occupational noise survey completed. | |
| 2. Rule of thumb is if you have to raise your voice to be understood by someone at arms length away, then it is too loud. |
Q: Why do we have annual hearing tests
A: One quarter of all BC workers are exposed to noise so loud that it can damage
their hearing. Noise is the most common health hazard in industry. If you are
slowly losing your hearing because of industrial noise, you many not know it.
Hearing declines gradually, so by the time you notice the loss its too late.
You can prevent this by protecting your hearing from loud noise. A hearing test
warns you of possible hearing loss from industrial noise. The test may also
reveal hearing problems due to other causes. Some of these other types of hearing
problems can be treated, and hearing ability improved.
Q: Who pays for the tests
A: Generally the employer. Exceptions to this are companies classified as construction.