Hearing Conservation

Part 12 of Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Regulation deals with Hearing Conservation in the workplace.

The regulation requires that employers take measures to reduce noise exposure to employees and provide protection and education for employees to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

The success of a Hearing Conservation Program is measured by means of an audiogram (hearing testing).  Additionally, the regulation requires that companies establish baseline audiometric records for noise-exposed workers. During the baseline audiometric test, hearing health histories are obtained in interviews with employees.  These include information regarding noisy hobbies, noisy work history, and information regarding hereditary and medical history relating to hearing loss. 

We consult with employers to determine the best methods for education of the workforce in regards to hearing conservation. We offer a one-hour session covering the anatomy of the ear and how sound is heard, the potential for hearing loss due to noise and the means to protect against noise induced hearing loss. When possible we include information on noise levels in their specific workplace.

Noise exposure assessments evaluate employees’ exposure to damaging noise. This exposure data can then be used to:

• produce a “noise map” of the workplace;

• identify those areas in which the noise levels can or should be reduced; and

• determine the areas in which hearing protection must be offered to the employees and those areas where hearing protection is mandatory.

Noise exposure levels in the workplace are measured with personal dosimeters to determine time weighted average exposure levels for noise-exposed workers. Policies regarding the Hearing Conservation Program are based on these average exposure levels.

We also use sound level meters to measure ambient noise levels generated by specific machinery and work procedures.  These measurements indicate where the highest levels of noise are generated, and provide good starting points when considering engineering controls to lower noise levels.