Noise

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Workplace noise can cause hearing loss, create physical and psychological stress, and contribute to incidents by making it difficult to communicate. Hearing conservation is an important part of health and safety in the workplace.

Noise reduction and hearing conservation requires management, supervisory, and employee commitment. When a workplace’s noise exposure level remains above the occupational exposure limits (OELs), the workplace must have a program to control noise and conserve worker’s hearing. The organization's program must include:

Noise measurements.
Education and training.
Engineering and administrative noise exposure control.
Hearing testing and follow-up.
Posting of noise hazard areas.
Personal hearing protection.
Annual Program Review.

Employer Duties

Employers must:

Work to reduce workers' exposure to noise using practical noise reduction methods, which include reducing the noise at its source and providing personal protective equipment. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.2]
Make sure workers are not exposed to noise that exceeds the limits in the table below. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.3]

Noise Exposure Limits
Exposure level (dBA)	Exposure duration
80	24 hours
82	16 hours
85	8 hours
88	4 hours
91	2 hours
94	1 hour
97	30 minutes
100	15 minutes
103	7.50 minutes
106	3.75 minutes
109	1.88 minutes
112	0.94 minutes
115 and greater	0

Immediately measure noise exposure of workers where the noise is or may be over the legally established noise exposure limits. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.4 (1)] Measurements are not required if the employer can reasonably conclude, without measurement, that noise exposure levels will be higher than the limits. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.5]

Immediately measure noise exposure of workers where changes in equipment or processes may affect the noise exposure levels or length of exposure (duration). [OHS General Regs., S. 8.4 (2)]
Perform noise exposure measurement according to CSA Standard Z107.56-18, Measurement of Occupational Noise Exposure. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.4 (3)]
Maintain records of all these results. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.10]
Use noise dosimeters and sound level meters that meet the requirements of ANSI Standard S1.25-1991, Specification for Personal Noise Dosimeters. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.4 (3)]
Notify affected workers of any results and what they mean as soon as possible after taking noise exposure measurements. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.4 (4)]
Investigate options for engineered noise control. Implement one or more of those options where practical to reduce noise exposure to or below the limit. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.6]
Reduce noise exposure to the lowest level practicable, if it is not practical to reduce the noise exposure level below the established limits. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.7]
Provide hearing protection that meets the requirements of CSA Standard Z94.2-14, Hearing Protection Devices - Performance, Selection, Care, and Use to those in the noise hazard areas.
Train affected workers to properly use and care for the provided hearing protection equipment and make sure they are wearing it properly when necessary.
Make sure all workers in the noise hazard area are wearing the provided hearing protection and that it is properly maintained and continues to be effective. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.7]
Maintain records of all education and training provided. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.10]

When it is not practical to reduce the noise exposure level below established limits, develop a noise control and hearing conservation program. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.7] This program must outline plans for all: [OHS General Regs., S. 8.8]

noise measurement;
education and training;
engineered noise control;
Hearing protection being provided;
warning signs to be posted in areas with the noise hazard areas;
hearing tests; and
an annual program review.

Have an audiologist, (or someone certified to conduct audiometric testing) test the hearing of workers exposed to noise above exposure limit. Testing must be performed within the first 6 months of starting work and every 12 months after the first test. The cost of hearing tests is the responsibility of the employer. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.9]

Keep records of all hearing test results for all workers as long as they are employed. These records are confidential and employers may not release them to anyone without the written permission of the worker (or if their release is required by other legal means). [OHS General Regs., S. 8.10]

Worker Duties

Workers must:

Actively participate in all training and education provided by the employer. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.3]
Follow all rules and procedures around hearing conservation, including wearing the provided hearing protection when required, maintaining and caring for equipment properly and participating in all required testing in a timely manner. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.7]
Keep records as required and participate in noise control and hearing conservation planning where required. [OHS General Regs., S. 8.10]

Occupational exposure limits (OELs) for noise are typically given as the maximum duration of exposure permitted for various noise levels.

Noise terminology and measurements used or described in this Part have the same meaning that they have in CSA Standard Z107.56-18 Measurement of Occupational Noise Exposure, as amended from time to time; and ANSI Standard S1.25-1991, Specification for Personal Noise Dosimeters, as amended from time to time. [EC180/87, s. 8.1]

"noise exposure limit" means a noise exposure limit established under section 8.3; [EC180/87, s. 8.1]

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General Regulations
EC180/87

Part 8 NOISE

Section 8.2 Use of practicable means to reduce noise

8.2 An employer shall ensure that practicable means are used to reduce the noise to which workers are exposed in areas at the workplace where workers may be present.

[EC2007-652, s. 1]

Section 8.3 Noise exposure limits

8.3 An employer shall ensure that a worker's noise exposure does not exceed any of the following noise exposure limits:

Table

Exposure level (dBA)	Exposure duration
80	24 hours
82	16 hours
85	8 hours
88	4 hours
91	2 hours
94	1 hour
97	30 minutes
100	15 minutes
103	7.50 minutes
106	3.75 minutes
109	1.88 minutes
112	0.94 minutes
115 and greater	0

[EC2007-652, s. 1]

Section 8.4 Measurement of noise level

8.4 (1) Unless otherwise provided in this Part, where

(a) a worker of an employer is exposed to noise at the workplace of the employer in excess of any noise exposure limit; or

(b) an employer or worker of an employer has reason to believe that a worker of the employer may be exposed to noise at the workplace of the employer in excess of any noise exposure limit,

the employer shall cause the noise exposure of a worker at the workplace to be measured without delay.

(2) Where, in accordance with subsection (1), an employer causes a noise exposure measurement to be made at a workplace of the employer, the employer shall cause the measurement to be repeated without delay after a change in equipment or process affects the exposure level, or the exposure duration, at the workplace.

(3) Where, in accordance with subsection (1) or (2), an employer causes a noise exposure measurement to be made at a workplace of the employer, the employer shall ensure that

(a) the noise exposure measurement is performed in accordance with CSA Standard Z107.56-18, Measurement of Occupational Noise Exposure ; and

(b) the noise dosimeters and sound level meters used in the noise exposure measurement meet the requirements of ANSI Standard S1.25-1991, Specification for Personal Noise Dosimeters.

(4) The employer shall as soon as possible after a noise exposure measurement is conducted at a workplace of the employer inform affected workers of

(a) the results of the noise exposure measurement; and

(b) the significance of the results in terms of their risk of hearing loss at the workplace.

[EC2007-652, s. 1; EC2021-126, s. 8]

Section 8.5 Exception

8.5 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in section 8.4, an employer is not required to measure the noise exposure of a worker of the employer at the workplace of the employer, if the employer can reasonably determine, without a noise exposure measurement, that the worker is exposed to noise at the workplace in excess of any noise exposure limit.

[EC2007-652, s. 1]

Section 8.6 Engineered noise control

8.6 Where a worker of an employer is exposed to noise in the workplace in excess of any noise exposure limit, the employer shall

(a) investigate options for engineered noise control; and

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

[EC2007-652, s. 1]

Section 8.7 Reduction of noise exposure, signs

8.7 (1) If it is not practicable for an employer to reduce the noise exposure of a worker of the employer at the workplace to or below any noise exposure limit, the employer shall

(a) reduce the noise exposure of the worker to the lowest level practicable;

(b) establish a noise control and hearing conservation program that complies with the requirements of section 8.8;

(d) give to affected workers hearing protection that meets the requirements of CSA Standard Z94.2-14, Hearing Protection Devices - Performance, Selection, Care, and Use , as amended from time to time, provide training to the affected workers in the use and care of the hearing protection and maintain the hearing protection so that it continues to meet those requirements; and

(e) ensure that hearing protection required by clause (d), is worn properly by workers of the employer in noise hazard areas.

(2) Every worker in a posted noise hazard area shall wear hearing protection.

[EC2007-652, s. 1; EC2021-126, s. 9]

Section 8.8 Program - requirement

8.8 A noise control and hearing conservation program required under subsection 8.7(1) shall include provisions on

(a) noise measurement;

(b) education and training;

(d) hearing protection;

(e) posting of noise hazard areas;

(f) hearing tests; and

(g) annual program review.

[EC2007-652, s. 1]

Section 8.9 Hearing test

8.9 (1) An employer shall ensure that workers of the employer who are exposed to noise in the workplace that exceeds a noise exposure limit are given

(a) an initial hearing test without delay after employment starts, but not later than 6 months after the start of employment; and

(b) a hearing test at least once every 12 months after the initial test if the worker continues to be employed with the employer.

(2) An employer shall ensure that hearing tests required under subsection (1) shall be administered by

(a) an audiologist; or

(b) a person who is certified to conduct audiometric testing.

(3) The employer shall be responsible for paying for hearing tests administered under this section.

[EC2007-652, s. 1]

Section 8.10 Records

8.10 The employer shall keep records of

(a) the initial and annual hearing test results for each worker, which shall

(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

[EC2007-652, s. 1]

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