Workers who are exposed to 85dBA or greater averaged over an 8 hour shift.

• Wear proper fitting hearing protection in noise hazard areas and in accordance with instructions provided by the employer. • Show up for annual hearing tests when scheduled.

• Provide annual hearing tests for workers exposed to 85dBA or greater averaged over an 8 hour shift. • Provide hearing protection when it is not practicable to reduce noise levels. • Maintain, in a manner acceptable to the board, a record of the hearing tests for each worker. • Review the noise control and hearing conservation program annually to ensure its effectiveness. • Post warning signs in any work area where noise levels exceed 85dBA averaged over an 8 hour shift and 140dBC at peak sound levels. • Ensure hearing tests are administered by persons authorized by the board. • Provide instructions on hearing protection devices and how to use them. (Taken from WorkSafeBC regulation 7.2 to 7.9)

• Have an occupational noise survey completed. • Rule of thumb is if you have to raise your voice to be understood by someone at arm's length away, then it is too loud.

WorkSafeBC requires annual hearing testing to be completed on employees who are exposed to 85 decibels or greater over an 8 hour shift. The hearing tests are used to monitor any changes in an employee’s hearing due to the level of industrial noise they are exposed to. At the time of the testing each employee is also educated on the importance of wearing properly fitted hearing protection. Noise is the most common health hazard in industry.

The employer is responsible for providing and maintaining hearing tests. Exceptions to this are companies classified as construction by WorkSafeBC.