BCL Consulting Group Inc.

Although there are several reasons that may lead to an individual’s development of hearing loss, the most common type is a cumulative loss due to long-term exposure to elevated noise levels in the workplace.  Because occupational hearing loss occurs gradually over time, workers often fail to notice changes in their hearing ability until a relatively large change occurs.

The provision of hearing protection does always ensure that workers are adequately protected from elevated noise levels.

In Alberta, an exposure limit of 85 dBA over an eight hour period has been established.  The higher the dBA the shorter the duration of permissible exposure.

Audiometric testing is a legislated requirement for all “noise exposed workers” and is an important part of a company’s noise management program.  It is the only way to identify those individuals who are showing early and/or progressive signs of noise-induced hearing loss. Audiometric testing also helps to verify that noise management control measures are effective.

For noise exposed workers, Alberta legislation identifies testing needs to occur:

• Within 6 months from the date of hire;
• Repeated after 12 months; and
• Every second year thereafter

§  For your reference, common decibel levels are as follows: