We have a total of 13 WCB trained and certified technicians. The technicians
are responsible for driving the Hearing Testing trucks to the job site,
filling out the necessary forms, setting up noise monitors, conducting
the Hearing test, and counseling the employees on the results of their
test.
Once a Hearing Conservation Program is in place, the only way to ensure
that the program is effective is by periodically measuring the hearing
of workers.
Hearing tests are required for workers exposed to noise greater than
85 dBA for 8 hours, or its equivalent, a noise dose of 1 Pascal-squared-hour
(Pa2h).
Hearing tests are vital because they identify the beginning of noise
induced hearing loss long before workers notice it. As part of the
test, workers are individually counseled about the results, the follow-ups
required, and when repeat tests will occur. Workers are also
counseled about the type of hearing protection to use.
Hearing tests must be conducted annually to effectively monitor the
hearing of noise exposed workers. The hearing test, including counseling,
takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
During a hearing test, a worker is seated in a sound deadened booth
with a window and a set of earphones are placed over the ears. When
the worker is ready, the Audiometric technician sends a series of tones
through the earphones to one ear, and then the other. The worker
signals the technician as the tones are heard. The workers' responses
are recorded for each ear. Then the results are graphed on a chart
called an audio gram.
The audiogram shows how loud a tone must be to be barely heard by the
worker, at a number of different pitches or frequencies. In the early
stages of noise induced hearing loss, the audio gram will show some hearing
loss for high pitched sounds. As hearing loss advances, the audio
gram shows a hearing loss for many pitches. Workers with more advanced
hearing loss will notice the sounds of speech and surrounding sounds becoming
muffled.
As part of the hearing test, workers are counseled about the necessity,
use, maintenance, and replacement of hearing protection. Hearing
testing and counseling must be performed by WCB trained and authorized
technicians. Technicians must complete an intensive training course
and attend periodic one day refresher classes to maintain their authorization.
Our Noise Survey Technician has been with the company for seven years
and has completed the Noise course (OCHS 3352) under BCIT's Occupational
Health & Safety Program. This qualifies him to provide an expert opinion
on both Noise Level and Noise Exposure Surveys that we offer our clients.
He is also responsible for providing our clients with Employee Education
Seminars and Annual Reviews, which are a part of the WCB Hearing Conservation
Program requirements.
Employers are responsible for knowing which workers are over-exposed
to noise. The WCB's occupational health and safety regulations set
exposure limits for noise at 85 dBA and a peak noise level of 135 dBA.
When workers are or may be exposed to noise above 82 dBA, employers
must measure the noise exposure. How loud is 82 dBA?
If you have to raise your voice in your workplace to carry on a conversation,
then the noise level is likely over 82 dBA (click
here for more examples).