Whether we like it or not, industrial and construction workers are susceptible to loud noises at their workplaces. Although it’s their job to work in industrial areas where heavy machinery operates hours per day, everyday exposure to intense noises can lead to irreversible hearing damage. This is why the workers must know about the hearing protection safety measures.

Hearing loss can affect your work and wellbeing, as has been proven in court via payout precedents and which Alberta’s worker compensation program covers. Whether workers insist on it or not, it’s of critical importance and mandated by law to implement a safe workplace for industrial workers that can prevent industrial hearing loss in the work field. Let’s explore how employers can do that.

What Is A Hearing Conservation Program?

Workplace hearing loss due to higher, prolonged noise happens in several industries. Those working in the fields of military, transportation, utilities, manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, and more are especially susceptible to hearing loss due to the loud noise hazards in their workplaces.

Alberta OH&S has mandated hearing conservation program requirements for workplaces with noise hazards to prevent workplace injuries. This program is required for employees whose eight-hour work time exceeds or is equal to the average sound level of eighty-five decibels on the scale. If your workers face that much noise regularly, you need a safety program in place.

What Goes Into a Hearing Conservation Program?

Alberta OHS Code Part 16, Section 221 (2) mandates that the noise management program must include a plan for worker education regarding the risks of excessive noise exposure and the proper use of hearing protection.

guidelines for measuring and monitoring employee exposure to noise
posting warning signs when the noise level exceeds 85 dB
the use and maintenance of employee-used hearing protection devices & PPE
timely and organized record-keeping of audiometric testing results

That gives you a checklist and the major hurdles you’ll have to pass to make your workplace safe enough. But you might be wondering about some ways to address these points.

How To Prevent Hearing Loss At Work

To prevent hearing loss at the workplace due to extreme noise, some rules of thumb you can make can complement your complete hearing conservation program. You can encourage workers to:

- Take enough breaks from the activities that create noise in a quiet breakroom
- Wear Custom Hearing Protection
- Keep maximum possible distances from the noise source
- Get your hearing protection fit tested to make sure of the fit
- Reduce noise at the source of it; buy machines that emit low noise as a feature, and keep such equipment lubricated and well-maintained
- Enclose the noisy workspace, or create a physical barrier between the machine and your ears
- Always wear proper hearing protection when you are working in noisy areas; if you are using foam plugs, make sure they are inserted for effective use
- If you are listening to music, keep the sound at a safe level, even if it means you can’t drown out industrial noise

The other thing you can do to protect your hearing at the workplace is to speak with hearing testing companies, especially audiometric technicians, who can advise based on their experiences. You can always learn from them what works and what doesn’t, so it makes sense to benefit from their wisdom.

It is also important that you learn how to wear your custom hearing protection properly.

How can noise exposure lead to hearing loss, and what can be done to prevent it?

Prolonged or repeated noise exposure can damage the delicate structures of the inner ear, leading to noise induced hearing loss, a common and often permanent form of hearing loss. This risk is especially high in work environments, where ongoing exposure can result in occupational hearing loss over time. Prevention focuses on reducing exposure and protecting hearing early through consistent use of hearing protection devices such as earplugs or earmuffs, along with other appropriate protection devices suited to the environment. Many workplaces also implement hearing loss prevention programs that combine education, monitoring, and protective strategies to help reduce long-term risk and preserve hearing health.

What are effective workplace hearing protection strategies, and how do employers put them into practice?

What are effective workplace hearing protection strategies, and how do employers put them into practice?

Effective workplace hearing protection strategies focus on reducing noise-induced hearing loss and long-term hearing loss by addressing both the work environment and employee habits. This begins with identifying each noise source on site and understanding the overall noise level workers are exposed to during a typical shift. Employers often measure sound using a sound level meter to track sound pressure levels, which helps determine when protection is required. Ongoing noise monitoring makes it possible to assess worker noise exposure and document specific employee noise exposures over time. From there, organizations can implement comprehensive hearing loss prevention programs that include providing appropriate hearing protectors, offering free hearing protection, and scheduling regular hearing tests. When these strategies are applied consistently, they significantly reduce risk while supporting safer, healthier workplaces.

How do workplaces reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss?

Workplaces reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss by first understanding where high levels of sound come from and how they affect the human ear over time. Employees who are regularly exposed to loud environments, especially around noisy equipment, face a higher risk of long-term hearing loss or even temporary hearing loss that can worsen without proper controls. Employers often assess overall noise level and sound levels during a typical work shift, using tools such as noise dosimeters to track exposure levels. From there, organizations apply engineering controls and other control measures to reduce noise at the source, helping protect workers and lower the chance of lasting damage.

What strategies help protect workers in high-noise industries like construction?

In high-risk environments such as the construction industry, effective protection requires a combination of planning, equipment, and training. Employers rely on protective equipment, including properly fitted hearing protectors and other hearing protective solutions, alongside administrative controls that limit time spent in loud areas. Clear policies help ensure workers understand risks, while supervisors provide training on safe practices and early warning signs like changes linked to a standard threshold shift. These strategies support broader goals in occupational health and occupational safety, helping prevent hearing damage and other problems associated with prolonged exposure to excessive workplace noise.

Hearing loss is not to be underestimated as a workplace hazard, especially since it can sneak up on those affected. It can permanently affect a worker’s social life, overall wellbeing, and job fitness – and it’s a lose-lose situation for employers and employees. Workplace noise levels can be reduced by using well-maintained machines, and workers can save themselves by wearing the right ear protection. But the most surefire way forward is to have your audiometric testing company help you build a hearing conservation program that’s to code.

Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing is your locally owned and operated Calgary business. We are committed to providing mobile hearing testing services and other safety tests to numerous industries and companies in Western Canada. Our services are part of the WorkSafeBC Provider Network, while our sound booths are approved by the CSA. We offer audiometry testing, mask fit testing, custom earplugs, noise measurements, help with implementing a hearing conservation program, and spirometry testing. If you want to improve your workplace, leave it in the hands of our team. Contact us today at (403) 399-4775.

Some companies prefer to approach their safety programs with reluctance and begrudging acceptance rather than with zeal, curiosity and excitement. These companies often struggle to see the value behind safety programs like PPE policies and hearing conservation programs. However, the reality is that these programs—when properly implemented—are extremely cost effective for all parties involved.

More evidence is coming out showing how properly implemented safety programs reduce the time it takes people to do their job and significantly reduces the likelihood of work-related accidents and the medical, insurance and operating costs associated with them. Below, we look at these and other reasons why hearing conservation programs and safety culture, in general, are more cost-effective than the alternative.

How Hearing Conservation Programs Save You Money

Reducing the Likelihood of Hearing Loss

We begin with perhaps the most obvious benefit of safety and hearing conservation programs, which is the reduction of work-related accidents. With custom hearing plugs and properly designated “loud” areas, most employees will be at substantially less risk of hearing loss. The same is true for engineered controls on process equipment, like selecting less noisy equipment or adding barriers to reduce noise travel.

Improving Efficiency

One of the most common gripes we hear is that “safety takes time that I don’t have” or something along those lines. However, the first step in developing a safety program—in Alberta, at least—is creating a job inventory to develop hazards assessments from. Can you think of a better way to itemize the duties that each employee performs in the run of their day?

But why is having an itemized list of tasks relevant to efficiency? Because it gives you the ability to focus on a particular area, identify problems or process improvements, implement them and monitor their success. This is one of the most powerful tools available to employers.

Let’s take a look at a brief example. Your workplace has a bench grinder, which is used once or twice a day by all your employees. You know that it requires hearing protection during use because of the manufacturer’s instructions, and you just can’t understand why none of your employees are willing to wear them. In examining the hearing conservation program, you realize that you’ve put the disposable ear plugs at the far end of the shop, making remembering or using them a struggle. Putting them above the bench grinder almost immediately removes the problem.

Increasing Employee Retention & Job Outcomes

Labour is the highest cost to most businesses, and turnover rate only confounds that issue in companies that require skilled workers. The catch-22 of this reality is that skilled workers are almost always in demand, making retention a serious concern for these same businesses. Luckily, studies have shown that safety programs actually increase employee retention.

The reason this works is that safety programs show a clear commitment from employers to their employees. Plus, they create avenues for feedback and improvement on both sides of the fence through morning meetings, regular training and other communication platforms.

Learn How Hearing Conservation Programs Can Save You Money Today

We make it easy to implement hearing conservation programs that work for the needs of your business, so contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

As the need for audiometric testing steadily grows, many businesses are looking to find more information about this interesting topic. One of the questions on the top of their minds is, “what is the regulatory standard for hearing testing in the trades?” As long-time proponents of hearing health and testing, we couldn’t be happier to provide information on this, which we do below.

Provincial Legislation

Alberta

Within Alberta, all safety legislation falls under the purview of Occupational Health and Safety. Three documents offer information about this legislation and audiometric testing, namely the OHS Act, Regulation and Code. For specific information about noise exposure, refer to Part 16 of the Code.

British Columbia

In British Columbia, five documents are essential to the understanding of audiometric testing and safety at the workplace. These documents are:

For specific information about noise exposure, refer to the OHS Guidelines, Division 1 -Noise Exposure.

Saskatchewan

In Saskatchewan, health and safety standards operate under The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013, together with The Workers’ Compensation General Regulations, 1985 and The Workers’ Compensation Miscellaneous Regulations. For links to downloadable versions of these resources, consult this page on their website. Information specifically related to audiometric testing can be found in POL 11/ 2012 of the policy and procedure manual.

Related, Relevant Standards

Although government legislation is often the first place to look for information regarding safety information, it is far from the only location. Indeed, many regulations refer to additional standards and documents that further describe and explain the intention of certain standards. You can see a list of these documents related specifically to audiometric testing down below.

ANSI Standards

S1.25-1991 (R2002), Specification for Personal Noise Dosimeters
S1.4-1983 (R2006), Specification for Sound Level Meters
S1.43-1997 (R2002), Specifications for Integrating-Averaging Sound Level Meters
S3.6-2004, Specification for Audiometers

CSA Standards

Z94.2-14, Hearing Protection Devices — Performance, Selection, Care, and Use
Z107.56-06, Procedures for the Measurement of Occupational Noise Exposure
CAN/CSA-Z321-96 (R2006), Signs and Symbols for the Workplace

IEC Standards

61672-1 (2002), Electroacoustics – Sound Level Meters – Part 1: Specifications
61672-2 (2003), Electroacoustics – Sound Level Meters – Part 2: Pattern evaluation tests

Talk to the Audiometric Testing Experts Today

Still want to know more about audiometric testing? We would be more than happy to answer all your questions and concerns, so contact us today!

Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing is your locally owned and operated Calgary business. We are committed to providing mobile hearing testing services and other safety tests, to numerous industries and companies in Western Canada. Our services are part of the WorkSafeBC Provider Network, while our sound booths are approved by the CSA. We offer audiometry testing, mask fit testing, custom earplugs, noise measurements, help with implementing a hearing conservation program, and spirometry testing. If you want to improve your workplace, leave it in the hands of our team. Contact us today on (403) 399-4775.

Many steps go into building your company’s hearing conservation program. Below, we have given a brief overview of each step and how to approach them. For more information, consider reading this post from Work Safe Alberta that outlines the requirements in more detail.

Many companies ask, what is a hearing conservation program, and we are here to not only help with the answer but to provide solutions to get you on the right track.

The Steps to Building a Hearing Conservation Program

Educating Workers

The first step in your hearing conservation program is educating your workers. As an employer, you must ensure that your employees understand the dangers of excessive noise exposure, how to tell they are being exposed to loud noises, and what they can do to protect themselves from hearing loss.

Measuring Sound Levels

Next, you must measure the sound levels in your workplace. To do this, a suitable individual, with sufficient training, must go through all worksites on your property and assess the level of noise. This involves using a properly calibrated, sufficiently sensitive audiometer per the requirements of CSA Standard Z107.56-06 Procedures for the Measurement of Occupational Noise Exposure. Typically, you begin with the areas where you must raise your voice to be heard and understood.

Learn more – What is an Audiogram?

Book Now – Get a mobile Audiometric Test done.

Posting Signage

After you identify the areas that require hearing protection, you must post signage declaring them as such. This signage must be placed at all entrances to the loud areas, as is suitably possible.

Controlling Noise Exposure

Once you post signage for all employees and contractors, the next step is controlling the noise exposure of workers who must work in these loud locations. In some cases, this means limiting their time in the area, but it can also mean looking for quieter equipment or making hearing protection available.

Conducting Audiometric Tests

To track the level of hearing loss (If any) of your workers, you must conduct annual audiometric testing for all exposed workers. You must do this testing with trained, qualified and suitable testing equipment and technicians. The best hearing conservation programs hire outside audiometry testing companies to perform this task.

Making Hearing Protection Available

Finally, you are almost ready to work in the loudest areas of your premises again. However, before that, you must find and make available hearing protection that effectively diminishes the worker’s exposure. This may take the form of muffs, plugs or even custom hearing protection.

Hearing Protection Fit Testing

One of the services that we offer is to test the efficacy of the hearing protection that businesses provide to their employees.

First – we look at the actual hearing protection itself and we measure the sound protection that it offers, either disposable earplugs, custom earplugs or full cover earmuffs.
Second – we look at the environment and do an audiometric test to see what the protection requirements would be in that workplace. Each workplace has different requirements and we want to make sure the protection provided matched the protection needed.

Reviewing the Program Annually/ Monitoring Sound Levels

Now that you have a hearing conservation program that meets the standards and requirements of Alberta Occupational Health & Safety, there is only one step left. An annual review of said program. This is your opportunity to analyze and change any parts of your program that are ineffective. Remember, if your processes change, you must also reevaluate all affected policies and procedures.

Why the Right Hearing Protection Devices Matter

A hearing conservation program is only effective when the right steps are supported by the right hearing protection devices. Even if your business has completed noise monitoring, posted signage, conducted audiometric testing, and reviewed noise levels, workers may still be at risk if the protection devices they use do not match the actual noise exposure in the workplace.

This is why effective hearing conservation programs should look beyond basic compliance and focus on real-world worker safety. A successful hearing conservation program should consider the type of noise, the length of exposure, the comfort of the hearing protectors, and whether employees are wearing the devices correctly. In high-noise environments, the wrong fit or the wrong level of protection can still leave workers vulnerable to noise induced hearing loss, occupational hearing loss, or permanent hearing damage.

Hearing protectors may include disposable earplugs, custom-moulded earplugs, earmuffs, or other hearing protection devices depending on the work environment. These protection devices are an important part of personal protective equipment, but they should not be the only control in place. Whenever possible, companies should also consider engineering and administrative controls, such as quieter equipment, adjusted schedules, barriers, rotation plans, or changes to work procedures.

The goal of conservation programs is not just to provide hearing protection, but to create a safer workplace where employees understand the risks and have appropriate hearing protection for the job they are doing. When noise levels are measured properly and hearing protection devices are selected carefully, businesses can better support workplace safety, reduce long-term hearing loss risk, and build effective hearing conservation programs that protect workers over time.

FAQ

What should be included in a successful hearing conservation program?

A successful hearing conservation program should include worker education, workplace noise testing, sound level meters, audiometric testing, record keeping, program evaluation, and clear steps for choosing hearing protectors. These steps help employers understand workplace noise levels, identify employees who are regularly exposed to harmful noise levels, and reduce the risk of occupational hearing loss, permanent hearing loss, and damage to remaining hearing.

Effective hearing conservation should also include noise control, engineering controls, administrative controls, and appropriate hearing protectors that fit the ear canal properly. When a hearing conservation program is built around real workplace noise, worker health, and workplace safety, it is easier to protect workers and reduce long-term harm from occupational noise exposure.

It should also review whether employees are exposed to high noise levels on a daily basis, whether the action level has been reached, and whether higher levels of protection are needed in certain work areas. This helps employers identify areas where noise levels may change throughout the day and where additional hearing conservation steps may be required.

A strong program may include a full range of hearing conservation measures, including fit testing, different types of protective equipment, communication needs, and practical ways to reduce noise levels before relying only on earplugs or earmuffs. When hearing protectors are maintained properly and matched to the sound level in the workplace, they can help prevent hearing loss, support worker safety, and improve worker productivity in high noise environments.

Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing is your locally owned and operated Calgary business. We are committed to providing mobile hearing testing services and other safety tests, to numerous industries and companies in Western Canada. Our services are part of the WorkSafeBC Provider Network, while our sound booths are approved by the CSA. We offer audiometry testing, mask fit testing, custom earplugs, noise measurements, help with implementing a hearing conservation program, and spirometry testing. If you want to improve your workplace, leave it in the hands of our team. Contact us today on (403) 399-4775.