Noise

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

[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;

(c) post warning signs in the noise hazard areas;

(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;

(c) engineered noise control;

(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

(c) the results of noise exposure measurements taken under section 8.4.

[EC2007-652, s. 1]