Sound or Noise

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- (3) If it is not reasonably practicable to reduce a worker's occupational noise exposure below 85 dBA L ex or the noise level below 90 dBA in any area where a worker may be required or permitted to work, an employer or contractor shall: - (a) provide a hearing protector to the worker that meets the requirements of section 7-14; - (b) train the worker in the selection, use and maintenance of the hearing protector; and - (c) arrange for the worker to have, at least once every 24 months during the worker's normal working hours, an audiometric test and appropriate counselling based on the test results under the direction of a physician, an audiologist or a registered nurse who has a certificate in audiometric testing. - (4) If a worker cannot attend an audiometric test mentioned in clause (3) (c) during the worker's normal working hours, an employer or contractor shall credit the worker's attendance at the test as time at work and ensure that the worker does not lose any pay or other benefits. - (5) If a worker cannot recover the costs of a audiometric test mentioned in clause (3) (c), an employer or contractor shall reimburse the worker for the costs of the test that, in the opinion of the director, are reasonable. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s8-5. ## Hearing conservation plan - 8-6 (1) If 10 or more workers' occupational noise exposure exceeds or is believed to exceed 85 dBA L ex , an employer or contractor shall, in consultation with the committee: - (a) develop a hearing conservation plan; and - (b) review and, if necessary, revise the hearing conservation plan every 3 years. - (2) An employer or contractor shall implement a hearing conservation plan developed pursuant to subsection (1) and appoint a supervisor to oversee the plan. - (3) A hearing conservation plan must be in writing and must include: - (a) the methods and procedures to be used in assessing the occupational noise exposure of workers; - (b…

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- (3) Every employer shall ensure that every person, other than an employee, to whom the employer grants access to a work place if the person is likely to be exposed to a sound level that exceeds the limits referred to in section 7.4 uses a hearing protector that meets the standard referred to in paragraph ( 1 )(a). SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/94-33, s. 3; SOR/98-589, s. 6; SOR/2002-208, s. 13; SOR/2019-246, s. 29. ## Warning Signs - 7.8 (1) At every work place where an employee may be exposed to an A-weighted sound pressure level greater than 87 dBA, the employer shall, at conspicuous locations within the work place, post and keep posted signs warning of a potentially hazardous level of sound in the work place. - (2) For the purposes of subsection ( 1 ), the measurement of the A-weighted sound pressure level in a work place shall be performed instantaneously, during normal working conditions, using the slow response setting of a sound level meter. SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/98-589, s. 7. ## SCHEDULE (Section 7.4) Maximum Duration of Exposure to A-Weighted Sound Pressure Levels in the Work Place - (3) L'employeur doit veiller à ce que les personnes, autres que les employés, à qui il permet l'accès au lieu de travail et qui peuvent vraisemblablement être exposées à un niveau acoustique supérieur au niveau maximal visé à l'article 7.4 portent un protecteur auditif conforme à la norme visée à l'alinéa ( 1 )a). DORS/91-448, art. 1; DORS/94-33, art. 3; DORS/98-589, art. 6; DORS/2002-208, art. 13; DORS/2019-246, art. 29. ## Panneaux avertisseurs - 7.8 (1) L'employeur doit afficher en permanence, dans des endroits bien en vue au lieu de travail où il y a exposition potentielle de l'employé à un niveau de pression acoustique pondérée A supérieur à 87 dBA, des panneaux avertisseurs indiquant que le niveau acoustique ambiant peut présenter un risque. - (2) Pour l'application du paragraphe ( 1 ), le niveau de pression aco…

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Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division ## OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE G ## (i) Hearing protectors. - (1) Employers shall make hearing protectors available to all employees exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater at no cost to the employees. Hearing protectors shall be replaced as necessary. - (2) Employers shall ensure that hearing protectors are worn: - (i) By an employee who is required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section to wear personal protective equipment; and - (ii) By any employee who is exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater, and who: NOTE: 1910.95(i)(2)(ii)(A) was NOT adopted by OR-OSHA because 1910.95(g)(5)(ii) was NOT adopted by OR-OSHA. - (B) Has experienced a standard threshold shift. - (3) Employees shall be given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors provided by the employer. - (4) The employer shall provide training in the use and care of all hearing protectors provided to employees. - (5) The employer shall ensure proper initial fitting and supervise the correct use of all hearing protectors. ## (j) Hearing protector attenuation. - (1) The employer shall evaluate hearing protector attenuation for the specific noise environments in which the protector will be used. The employer shall use one of the evaluation methods described in Appendix B: Methods for Estimating the Adequacy of Hearing Protection Attenuation. - (2) Hearing protectors must attenuate employee exposure at least to an 8-hour timeweighted average of 90 decibels as required by paragraph (b) of this section. - (3) For employees who have experienced a standard threshold shift, hearing protectors must attenuate employee exposure to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or below. - (4) The adequacy of hearing protector attenuation shall be re-evaluated whenever employee noise exposures increase to the extent that the hear…

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G ## OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - 1 When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure of different levels, their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each. If the sum of the following fractions: C1/T1+C2/T2 Cn/Tn exceeds unity, then, the mixed exposure should be considered to exceed the limit value. Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a specified noise level, and Tn indicates the total time of exposure permitted at that level. Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level. ## (c) Hearing conservation program. - (1) The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of 50 percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with Appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment. - (2) For purposes of paragraphs (c) through (n) of this section, an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or a dose of 50 percent shall also be referred to as the action level. ## (d) Monitoring. - (1) When information indicates that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer shall develop and implement a monitoring program. - (i) The sampling strategy shall be designed to identify employees for inclusion in the hearing conservation program and to enable the proper selection of hearing protectors. - (ii) Where circumstances such as high worker mobility, significant variations in sound level, or a significant component of impul…

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## Reduction of Sound Exposure - 7.5 If feasible, every employer shall, by engineering controls or other physical means other than hearing protectors, reduce an employee's exposure to a sound level that does not exceed the limits referred to in section 7.4. SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/94-33, s. 2(F); SOR/98-589, s. 4; SOR/2019-246, s. 27. ## Report to Head of Compliance and Enforcement [SOR/2002-208, s. 11; SOR/2014-148, s. 4; SOR/2021-118, s. 6] - 7.6 If it is not feasible for an employer, without providing hearing protectors to maintain an employee's exposure to a sound level that does not exceed the limits referred to in section 7.4, the employer shall, without delay, - (a) make a report in writing to the Head of Compliance and Enforcement setting out the reasons why it is not feasible to do so; and - (b) provide a copy of the report to the work place committee or the health and safety representative. SOR/91-448, s. 1; SOR/98-589, s. 5; SOR/2002-208, s. 12; SOR/2014-148, s. 5; SOR/ 2019-246, s. 28; SOR/2021-118, s. 6. ## Hearing Protection - 7.7 (1) If an employer is required to make a report in accordance with section 7.6, the employer shall, as soon as feasible, provide every employee who is exposed to the sound level referred to in section 7.4 with a hearing protector that - (a) meets the requirements set out in CSA Standard Z 94.2 -M 1984, Hearing Protectors , as amended from time to time; and - (b) prevents the exposure to the sound level referred to in section 7.4. - (2) Where an employer provides a hearing protector to an employee pursuant to subsection ( 1 ), the employer shall - (a) in consultation with the work place committee or the health and safety representative, formulate a program to train the employee in the fit, care and use of the hearing protector; and - (b) implement the program. ## Réduction de l'exposition - 7.5 Dans la mesure du possible, l'employeur doit réduire toute expos…

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<!-- image --> G ## OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division ## (k) Training program. - (1) The employer shall train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of this section. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program. - (2) The training program shall be repeated annually for each employee included in the hearing conservation program. Information provided in the training program shall be updated to be consistent with changes in protective equipment and work processes. - (3) The employer shall ensure that each employee is informed of the following: - (i) The effects of noise on hearing; - (ii) The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care; and - (iii) The purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures. - (l) Access to information and training materials. - (1) The employer shall make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of this standard and shall also post a copy in the workplace. - (2) The employer shall provide to affected employees any informational materials pertaining to the standard that are supplied to the employer by the Assistant Secretary. - (3) The employer shall provide, upon request, all materials related to the employer's training and education program pertaining to this standard to the Assistant Secretary and the Director. ## (m) Recordkeeping. - (1) Exposure measurements. The employer shall maintain an accurate record of all employee exposure measurements required by paragraph (d) of this section. ## (2) Audiometric tests. - (i) The employer shall retain all employee audiometric test records obtained pursuant to paragraph (g) of this section: - (ii) This record shall include: - (A…

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G ## OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - (4) All audiograms obtained pursuant to this section shall meet the requirements of Appendix C: Audiometric Measuring Instruments. ## (5) Baseline audiogram. - (i) Within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level, the employer shall establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared. NOTE: 1910.95(g)(5)(ii) was NOT adopted by OR-OSHA. In Oregon, no exception is made for mobile test vans. - (iii) Testing to establish a baseline audiogram shall be preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. Hearing protectors may be used as a substitute for the requirement that baseline audiograms be preceded by 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. - (iv) The employer shall notify employees of the need to avoid high levels of nonoccupational noise exposure during the 14-hour period immediately preceding the audiometric examination. - (6) Annual audiogram. At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer shall obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. ## (7) Evaluation of audiogram. - (i) Each employee's annual audiogram shall be compared to that employee's baseline audiogram to determine if the audiogram is valid and if a standard threshold shift as defined in paragraph (g)(10) of this section has occurred. This comparison may be done by a technician. - (ii) If the annual audiogram shows that an employee has suffered a standard threshold shift, the employer may obtain a retest within 30 days and consider the results of the retest as the annual audiogram. - (iii) The audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician shall review problem audiograms and shall determine whether there is a need for further evaluation. The employer shall provide to the person performing this evaluation the foll…

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- (4) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a life jacket or personal flotation device is provided for each worker who is transported by boat or works from a boat, and that each worker uses the life jacket or personal flotation device at all times when the worker is in the boat. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s7-22. ## PART 8 ## Noise Control and Hearing Conservation ## General duty - 8-1 (1) An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that all reasonably practicable means are used to reduce noise levels in all areas where workers may be required or permitted to work. - (2) The means to reduce noise levels pursuant to subsection (1) may include any of the following: - (a) eliminating or modifying the noise source; - (b) substituting quieter equipment or processes; - (c) enclosing the noise source; - (d) installing acoustical barriers or sound-absorbing materials. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s8-1. ## Noise reduction through design, construction of buildings - 8-2 An employer, contractor or owner shall ensure that: - (a) all new places of employment are designed and constructed so as to achieve the lowest reasonably practicable noise level; - (b) any alteration, renovation or repair to an existing place of employment is made so as to achieve the lowest reasonably practicable noise level; and - (c) all new equipment to be used at a place of employment is designed and constructed so as to achieve the lowest reasonably practicable noise level. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s8-2. ## Measurement of noise levels 8-3 (1) In every area where workers are required or permitted to work and the noise level may frequently exceed 80 dBA, an employer or contractor shall ensure that: - (a) the noise level is measured in accordance with an approved method; - (b) in consultation with the committee, the representative or, if there is no committee or representative, the workers, a competent person evaluates the sources of the noise and recommends corrective action; and - (…

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(2) ## OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE / AUDIOMETRIC TESTING IN OREGON <!-- image --> - (i) All continuous, intermittent and impulsive sound levels from 80 decibels to 130 decibels shall be integrated into the noise measurements. - (ii) Instruments used to measure employee noise exposure shall be calibrated to ensure measurement accuracy. - (3) Monitoring shall be repeated whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls increases noise exposures to the extent that: - (i) Additional employees may be exposed at or above the action level; or - (ii) The attenuation provided by hearing protectors being used by employees may be rendered inadequate to meet the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section. - (e) Employee notification. The employer shall notify each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels of the results of the monitoring. - (f) Observation of monitoring. The employer shall provide affected employees or their representatives with an opportunity to observe any noise measurements conducted pursuant to this section. ## (g) Audiometric testing program. - (1) The employer shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided in this paragraph by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. - (2) The program shall be provided at no cost to employees. NOTE: 1910.95(g)(3) was NOT adopted by OR-OSHA because in Oregon, only CAOHC-certified technicians, audiologists, otolaryngologist or physicians may perform audiometric examinations. In Oregon, OAR [redacted phone] applies: [redacted phone] Audiometric Testing in Oregon. Audiometric tests shall be performed by a licensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, or other physician, or by a technician who is certified by the Council of Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation. A technician who performs audiometric tests must be responsible to an au…

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## S-15.1 REG 10 ## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 - (f) the requirements for audiometric tests; and - (g) a schedule for reviewing the hearing conservation plan and procedures for conducting the review. - (4) An employer or contractor shall make a copy of a hearing conservation plan readily available for reference by workers. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s8-6. ## Safeguards, Storage, Warning Signs and Signals ## Definition for Part - 9-1 In this Part, 'toeboard' means a low vertical guard that is located at the outer edge of a platform, scaffold, floor, stair or walkway and that is designed to prevent materials or equipment from falling over the edge. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s9-1. ## Protection against falling - 9-2 (1) In this section and sections 9-3 to 9-5: - 'anchor point' or 'anchor plate' means a secure connecting point capable of safely withstanding the impact forces applied by a fall protection system; - 'control zone' means the area within 2 metres of an unguarded edge of a level, elevated work surface of 3 metres or more in height; - 'fall protection system' means: - (a) a control zone as required pursuant to section 9-4; - (b) a personal fall arrest system; - (c) a safety net; or - (d) a travel restraint system; 'permanent' means intended and designed to last indefinitely; - 'similar barrier' means any barrier that the employer or contractor can demonstrate provides a level of protection that is at least equivalent to a guardrail; ## 'temporary' means: - (a) designed to be removed by the last workers using it before commissioning or turnover to the contractor or owner; and - (b) intended and designed to last not more than 1 year; - 'travel restraint system' means a system that prevents a worker from travelling to the edge of a structure or to a work position from which the worker could fall.

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## OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE G <!-- image --> - (C) The examiner's name; - (D) Date of the last acoustic or exhaustive calibration of the audiometer; and - (E) Employee's most recent noise exposure assessment. - (F) The employer shall maintain accurate records of the measurements of the background sound pressure levels in audiometric test rooms. - (3) Record retention. The employer shall retain records required in this paragraph (m) for at least the following periods. - (i) Noise exposure measurement records shall be retained for 2 years. - (ii) Audiometric test records shall be retained for the duration of the affected employee's employment. - (4) Access to records. All records required by this section shall be provided upon request to employees, former employees, representatives designated by the individual employee, and the Assistant Secretary. The provisions of 29 CFR 1910.1020(a) through (e) and (g) through (i) apply to access to records under this section. - (5) Transfer of records. If the employer ceases to do business, the employer shall transfer to the successor employer all records required to be maintained by this section, and the successor employer shall retain them for the remainder of the period prescribed in paragraph (m)(3) of this section. ## (n) Appendices. - (1) Appendices A, B, C, D, and E to this section are incorporated as part of this section and the contents of these Appendices are mandatory. NOTE: Appendix F was NOT adopted by OR-OSHA, because it pertains to presbycusis. In Oregon, no allowance is made for presbycusis (hearing loss due to aging). - (2) Appendices F and G to this section are informational and are not intended to create any additional obligations not otherwise imposed or to detract from any existing obligations. NOTE: 1910.95(o) was NOT adopted by OR-OSHA. In Oregon, this standard applies to ALL industries with no exceptions. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1218-0048) Stat. Au…

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## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 - (2) An employer or contractor shall re-measure the noise level in accordance with subsection (1) if altering, renovating or repairing the place of employment, introducing new equipment to the place of employment or modifying any process at the place of employment may result in a significant change in noise levels or occupational noise exposure. - (3) An employer or contractor shall keep a record of the results of any noise level measurements conducted at the place of employment as long as the employer or contractor operates in Saskatchewan. - (4) On request, an employer or contractor shall make available to an affected worker a copy of the results of any measurements conducted. - (5) An employer or contractor shall ensure that any area in which the measurements taken pursuant to subsection (1) show noise levels in excess of 80 dBA is clearly marked by a sign indicating the range of noise levels. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s8-3. ## Hearing protection required - 8-4 If a worker's occupational noise exposure is or is believed to be between 80 dBA L ex and 85 dBA L ex , an employer or contractor shall: - (a) inform the worker of the hazards of occupational noise exposure; - (b) on the request of the worker, make available to the worker hearing protectors that meet the requirements of section 7-14; and - (c) train the worker in the selection, use and maintenance of the hearing protectors. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s8-4. ## Daily exposure greater than 85 dBA L ex - 8-5 (1) If a worker's occupational noise exposure equals or exceeds 85 dBA L ex , an employer or contractor shall: - (a) inform the worker of the hazards of occupational noise exposure; - (b) take all reasonably practicable steps to reduce noise levels in all areas where the worker may be required or permitted to work; - (c) minimize the worker's occupational noise exposure to the extent that is reasonably practicable; and - (d) d…