Name: Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing
Address: Calgary Alberta Canada, AB
Telephone: (403) 399-4775

Hearing protection and hearing testing are about much more than personal protective equipment (PPE) and good recordkeeping. These are legislative requirements set forth by provincial and territorial governments across Canada. They are also designed to protect employees and employers from hearing loss, damage and other issues.

The regulatory restrictions set forth by these governing bodies are informed by research and study of those who have suffered hearing loss related to their work. They look at the nominal noise levels at most workplaces and set standards for addressing businesses and locations where those noise levels are exceeded on a regular or repeated basis. Below, we look at what this legislation contains, as well as how to implement a hearing conservation program at your company.

The Decibel Level and Hearing Testing Requirements

The decibel level above which you should wear hearing protection is 85 dBA L_ex. This is set out by the Occupational Health & Safety Code, though many safety organizations and regulators set the same cutoff limit. Section 217(1) of the code gives this direction and specifies the conditions where it does not apply.

How to Determine the Noise Levels at Your Workplace

The part of the OHS code that deals with noise exposure is Part 16, and it describes all the requirements surrounding noise exposure in Albertan workplaces. Where it concerns hearing testing and noise exposure assessments, the legislation states that an employer must complete a noise exposure assessment if their workers are or may be exposed to noise exceeding the 85 dBA L_ex limit set out above.

Noise Exposure Assessments, Hearing Testing & More

Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing helps businesses of all sizes with noise exposure assessments, hearing testing for affected employees and the implementation of hearing conservation programs. We are experienced, mobile and ready to help, so call today for more information or to book an appointment.

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.

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.

Audiometry testing accomplishes several key benefits. It ensures your hearing is maintained, alerts you to any changes or unsafe practices at your worksite, and best of all, keeps you in compliance with Alberta Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Code. Usually, it is this last item that really gets people to pay attention.

And for good reason. The requirements of the Act, Regulations and Code have only become more stringent in recent times. With the addition of administrative penalties, this trend is likely to continue into the future. Interestingly, this affects both employers and employees in almost equal measure.

As an employer, you have an obligation to understand these rules and deploy them appropriately to protect your workers. As a worker, you are responsible for complying with regulations and understanding your role in creating a safe work environment for yourself and your peers. But does this mean that your workplace must complete audiometry testing?

Who Needs Audiometry Testing

Every employer will need to consider audiometry testing, at least to the extent that their workers are exposed to noise in the run of a typical day. They must either reduce the noise to below the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) threshold, or develop a hearing conservation program that includes audiometric testing. For more information about OELs, check here.

So, if your workplace is a relatively quiet environment without regular spikes in the noise level, you may not have to worry about audiometry testing. Still, many commercial and industrial companies will have at least some level of noise for their manufacturing or processing equipment. But, when does “some noise” become “too much noise”?

For that, we need two pieces of information. The first is Section 218 and the second is Schedule 3, Table 1, referred to in this section.

Section 218

An employer must ensure that a worker’s exposure to noise does not exceed

(a) the noise exposure limits in Schedule 3, Table 1, and

(b) 85 dBA L_exB

Schedule 3, Table 1

Exposure Level (dBA)	Exposure Duration
82	16 hours
83	12 hours and 41 minutes
84	10 hours and 4 minutes
85	8 hours
88	4 hours
91	2 hours
94	1 hours
97	30 minutes
100	15 minutes
103	8 minutes
106	4 minutes
109	2 minutes
112	56 seconds
115 and greater	0

Basically, if noise goes above these limits at your workplace, it is time to develop a hearing conservation program and perform audiometry testing for your workers.

How to Get Audiometry Testing

We offer mobile audiometry testing throughout Western Canada. Our vehicles are equipped with all the equipment necessary to perform the testing and produce reports stating the results. To learn more about how we can help, 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.

The world of safety in Alberta is constantly evolving and changing. It seems like just yesterday there were protests and public outrage when new farming legislation came into law. And, with yearly reviews, exemptions and changes, there is always something new to discover within the industry.

However, even within the existing act, regulations and code, there is a fair amount to learn and understand. It is essential for both employers and employees to study and keep abreast of these changes, as they may affect work sites, policies, and procedures. Today, we will look at just one part of the Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Code, namely schedule 3.

What is Schedule 3 in OHS Code?

Like all schedules in the OHS Code, Schedule 3 is at the very back of the blue book. It refers to three tables that all relate to noise within the workplace. Below, we will focus on Table 1: Occupational exposure limits for noise. For reference sake, however, it is worth noting that Table 2 provides guidance on the selection of hearing protection devices, and Table 3 describes permissible background noise conditions during audiometric testing.

How to Interpret Schedule 3, Table 1

Interpreting the first table in this schedule is key to understanding the building blocks of your hearing conservation program. It simply contrasts the decibel exposure level (dBA) with the maximum allowable exposure duration. As an example, at 82 dBA a worker can face exposure for up to 16 hours without permanent hearing damage. This is considered the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) for that noise level.

However, this steeply drops off as at 85 dBA the OEL is reduced to half that amount or just 8 hours. Additionally, it is relevant to note the requirements for hearing protection and a hearing conservation program over the 85 dBA mark. Once the noise levels reach 115 dBA or greater, there is no amount of worker exposure allowed.

How to Find the Right Hearing Protection

Once you have tested your worksite and determined what level of noise is present, the next step will be protecting your workers. This may involve changing processes, replacing equipment, introducing new policies or updating personal protective equipment requirements.

For help understanding employer’s responsibility to workers, effective and fast testing or other relevant concerns, 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.

There are many essential components to a company’s health and safety program. Emergency procedures, personal protective equipment requirements, formal and informal hazard assessments and many more make the entire process seem overwhelmingly. In fact, most employers hire safety representatives and personnel just to ensure there is a person reviewing and revising the program regularly. Mask fit testing is just one component of a complete approach to employer and employee safety.

The masks that require fit testing are a part of a company’s respiratory equipment policy. If workers are exposed to dangerous gases or airborne materials, this policy becomes a legislative requirement by the provincial Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Code.

So, how does mask fit testing work?

How Mask Fit Testing Works

Qualitative vs Quantitative

It is important to note that there are two different fit tests: Qualitative and Quantitative.

A quantitative test measures the amount of leakage from a respirator by using a quantifit machine. This state-of-the-art equipment allows the control of negative pressure inside the mask. Further, to keep the pressure constant it must pull out any additional air leaking into the respirator. The measurement indicates how much air leaks into the respirator, and this is converted into a fit factor.

On the other side, a qualitative test is meant to determine a general “pass-fail” scenario. Usually, these tests rely on an individual’s ability to smell or taste a sprayable solution. If they detect the odour or taste, they have not achieved a secure fit.

Why Is Mask Fit Testing Important?

Getting both tests conducted is necessary for the safety of employees, as is selecting the right type of respirator for the hazards at the workplace. Particulate size, supplied air and volatility are all important variables that must be considered during the equipment selection process. For the best results, consultation with exposed employees is strongly recommended.

Furthermore, Worksafe Alberta determines that employers must adhere to the Alberta OH&S Guidelines for fit testing if employees are working in areas where they are exposed to airborne hazards. Employers must conduct mask fit testing when:

The employee is first issued a respirator and then at least every two years after
The respirator mask changes
The conditions at the workplace change
The worker has suffered facial features that might change the tightness of the respirator

Ensuring the safety of workers is a cooperative responsibility of everyone present on the worksite, and understanding the legislative requirements of employers, employees and subcontractors is essential in reducing workplace injuries and fatalities. Make sure you are doing your part with the help of Rocky Mountain Mobile Hearing Testing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Custom-molded earplugs are a recent innovation that has far-reaching benefits. For instance, when you use them in conjunction with audiometry tests, they can provide substantial protection for your hearing that pays off in the long term. Today we will look at the basics of custom-molded earplugs, such as where to get them, how to store them, and, of course, how to clean them.

The Basics of Custom-Molded Ear Plugs

How to Find Your Custom Ear Protection

The first step in finding your custom earplugs is to make sure you do your research. We offer a selection of high-quality custom earplugs that work great for busy job sites, but you should be wary of inferior imitators. One of the most effective ways of ensuring the earplugs you purchase are of sufficient quality is to inquire about their noise reduction rating.

Typically, with hearing protection, you need to divide the rating in half so that you can ascertain the number of decibels reduced by the hearing protection. However, the benefit of custom earplugs is that this is not necessary.

How to Store Your Ear Protection

A lot of people overlook the importance of proper protective equipment storage, but it is an essential part of caring for your equipment. Ears are a delicate part of the body, and putting dirty or contaminated material in them can cause infection or hearing problems. Therefore, you should store them in their accompanying pouch at all times when they are not in use.

How to Clean Your Custom Ear Plugs

Cleaning your earplugs is a relatively simple process. You should begin with a gentle solution of soap and water. Then, use a cloth and gently wipe all surfaces of your earplugs including the connection cord (if applicable). Ensure the use of sufficient pressure for optimal results. Afterwards, you should make sure that you dry them thoroughly so that they do not retain any moisture.

Custom-Molded Ear Plug Tips

These are the necessary steps to remember for your custom earplug cleaning activities. But, keep in mind a few tips and tricks for the best results. Avoid soaking your earplugs as this can cause unnecessary damage and provides little benefit, and, set a cleaning schedule. Ideally, you should inspect and wash them every 3-6 months and replace them every four years.

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.

Mobile hearing testing is a great way for employers to ensure they comply with occupational health and safety legislation. It allows them to test their employees without having to send them off-site, or spend their personal time on business affairs. It is also important to remember that mobile hearing testing is only required if there are detrimental levels of sound present at the workplace. However, the question remains: how often should you receive mobile hearing testing?

Legislatively, mobile hearing testing is only required annually. The reason for this is two-fold. Firstly, when hearing testing is done annually, it allows new employees to establish a base-line average for their hearing. Secondly, it allows returning employees to compare the results of their hearing test year-over-year, so that they can see if there are any differences or degradations since their last appointment.

However, sometimes annual mobile hearing tests are insufficient. Circumstances can arise that would require mobile hearing testing to occur at a frequency of every six months. These would include new processes or machinery that increases workers’ potential exposure to high levels of noise. As well, if there was a workplace incident or an employee had an incident where they were exposed to high levels of noise exceeding the occupational exposure limit (OEL) there could be sufficient cause to increase their hearing testing, to see if a change has occurred.

Mobile Hearing Testing Helps Keep Your Employees Protected

In closing, annual hearing testing is an important requirement for employers who have high volumes of sound present at their workplace. Industrial and commercial industries are often the employers required to do this testing, but if you are unsure if mobile hearing testing is required in your workplace, it is important to do a test of the audio levels in your workplace. This will remove the guesswork, and make it easy to know whether you should consult certified and mobile audiometric testing professionals.

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.

As an employer, it is expected that you have a hearing conservation program in place to protect your employees and remain compliant with Worksafe standards. As part of your program, your workers should undergo an audiometric test, which determines their hearing levels.

But what should your employees expect when it comes to undertaking this test? Get your workers to read this, so they know what the test involves.

What Your Employees Should Expect From An Audiometric Test

A Discussion About Your Medical & Hearing History

Whenever you meet a new medical professional, you’ll have to discuss your medical history. The same happens when you meet your qualified audiometric technician; they’ve going to have to know everything about your medical history. You’ll be given a questionnaire where you’ll have to provide information that includes injuries (such as to your head or neck), any current medication, and most significantly if you had or have any current hearing issues.

The Audiometric Test

The audiometric test is more simple than most employees expect. You won’t experience a long-overdue exam as the whole process takes 10 to 15 minutes. Here is what you can expect from the test:

You will wear a pair of earphones for the duration of the test and will be seated in a CSA approved sound booth
The technician will then intermittently play a series of beeps and audible tones at different volumes and frequencies
If you hear a tone, you will click a responder button. If you don’t hear anything, you don’t press anything
The tones and beeps will either get louder or quieter depending on the severity of your responses

The efficiency of the testing process means employees will be examined quickly, so there will be no delays in operations. The reports from the test will be kept for record-keeping.

Expect Follow-Up Guidance (For Both Employees & Employers)

For employees, as this test is a screening tool, you will not be diagnosed if you have any conditions. If there are concerns about your hearing, you will be referred to a professional who will conduct further tests if necessary. The audiometric technicians will be more than happy to explain the importance of hearing protection (such as getting custom earplugs) and the effects of hearing loss from noise, but they cannot diagnose you medically.

For employers, the results from the audiometric test, and other sound assessments, will quantify the effectiveness of the hearing conservation program that is currently in place. Changes might, or might not, be implemented for the program to ensure that it complies with Worksafe standards and to prevent employees suffering from noise-induced hearing loss.

Schedule An Appointment With Mobile Hearing Testing

As an employer, you must take action and protect the health and hearing of your employees. With mobile hearing testing available, book an appointment time that suits you. Your operations won’t stop due to the testing, and you will guarantee that the future health and safety of your employees are secure.

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.