Audiometric testing under new laws
Query from a reader – I hope someone can assist:
Hi, Unsure of where to post to, but I was hoping that someone could offer some assistance. The Work Health & Safety regulation 2011 in relation to noise says that we need to undertake audiometric testing for a worker … if the worker is required to FREQUENCLY use PPE. How do they define frequent? The code of conduct does not offer more specific in relation to Frequency. By using PPE we reduce our noise levels down below excessive for the 8 hours calculations, however as they do use PPE, how do we know if we are required to have all staff undertake audiometric testing.
Anyone help please?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Mike,
I agree with Les’ comments, and the real aim of the game is to reduce risk by a wholistic approach to your environment, that is, identifying the sources, isolating the risks, introducing any preventative actions including a reivew of PPE, and then assessment and monitoring of hearing, to ensure the aim of the program is being achieved.
Happy to assist you further.
Nina
Hi Mike,
“Frequent” audiomentric testing should be about detecting whether hearing protectors are actually doing thier job.
You indicate that you require employees to wear PPE – hearing protection – to keep noise exposure below 8 hours calculations. But you don;t indicate how often or how long they are required to wear them.
These questions are the basis of the risk assessment:
What noise levels are present? – consequence = potential hearing loss
How often are they exposed? – frequency = goes to likelihood of injury
How long are they exposed? – duration = goes to likelihood of injury.
The higher the noise exposure and the higher the likelihood the more frequent your audiomentric testing should be because there is no guarantee that the hearing protectors are actually preventing hearing loss due to:
- Different types of hearing protectors vary on level of protection
- Different people have different ‘ear shapes’ hence ear plugs shoul dbe supplied in different diameters (unless you are using moulded earplugs which are shaped to fit the inidividual ear).
- Different people wear them differently – sometimes depending on training, sometimes depending on comfort.
Also – do you etsablish a ‘baseline’ hearing level at time of employment – a hearing test to establish their condition PRIOR to exposing them to your workplace?
Also the Regulation (both old and new) in NSW requires the risk reduction process to NOT rely on PPE alone. Their should be a program addressing reduction of noise emissions – or at least a document risk assessment indicating why noise reduction is not practicable.
If you are relying on hearing protectors only your PCBU is already exposed to prosecution for breach of these requirements. Frequency of audiometric testing will only exacerbate your problem.
Cheers
Les
In South Africa, legislation requires of an employer to establish and maintain a system of medical surveillance for all employees exposed to noise at or above the noise rating limit (which is 85dBA).
It is very specific and cannot be misinterpreted.