The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety has developed occupational exposure limits (OEL) to protect workers’ hearing to ensure that a worker is not exposed to noise levels above 85 dBA Lex.
Noise level testing records help document that your company is doing its due diligence towards complying with noise regulations, hearing loss prevention, and noise control in the workplace.
Noise Level Testing Methods
There are two (2) different methods that SASM can use to test your facility’s noise levels; (1) general area noise level survey and/or individual workstation / equipment; and (2) individual assessment of noise exposure.
- General area noise level surveys measure your workers’ noise exposure by area (cumulative) and/or by individual workstation/equipment. SASM uses professional quality sound level meters.
- Individual assessments of noise exposure using personal dosimetry include placing a noise monitor (personal dosimeter) on a worker, which logs the total noise exposure during a shift (8-hour exposure or greater) in order to determine an individual worker’s personal noise exposure levels. SASM uses 3M Edge 5 personal noise dosimeters. A maximum of three (3) workers can be monitored per day.
Exposure to noise can result in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Noise-induced hearing loss is cumulative, progressive and permanent. Properly fitted hearing protection devices can save a worker’s hearing. Testing new employees’ hearing, and the noise levels where they work, provides a baseline for measuring potential hearing loss bi-annually and can assist in avoiding permanent injury and the many costs associated with NIHL claims. SASM provides our clients with on-site quantitative fit testing of hearing protection (please see Fit Testing for additional information). To schedule noise level testing or fit testing, please email.
Deliverables
SASM’s Occupational Hygiene Specialist will provide an assessment report which includes:
- The source of the noise
- Noise exposure levels
- Location of exposed persons
- Noise problems
- Recommendations for resolving noise concerns
- Saskatchewan regulatory requirements
- A digital copy of the report
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