Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC
12
Months
of Safety
March 2021
Hearing Conservation

Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause hearing loss, and severe exposure to noise can cause pain and even nausea. Noise can also affect communications and interfere with both job performance and your safety. Hearing loss can be so gradual that it goes unnoticed, but with time, overexposure to loud noise causes permanent hearing loss. When you’re exposed to excessive noise, damage occurs to tiny sensory cells (microscopic hair cells) deep inside your ear, so there’s no way to see the damage, and often no pain.

Noise levels above 85 decibels can harm a worker’s hearing. If the noise level is above the acceptable limit, a hearing conservation program is required. In industries with hazardous noise, it's essential for you to take an annual hearing test. This test helps determine if your hearing is being damaged and what can be done to prevent further damage. We can help you identify the risk with a noise survey or personal sampling services.

A hearing conservation program:

  • Identifies noise hazards and monitors exposure
  • Employs the hierarchy of controls to manage the risks
  • Incorporates hearing protection devices
  • Includes regular hearing testing
  • Communicates and educates about the hazards

Learn more about the impacts of hearing loss and how to develop a hearing conservation program in the workplace.

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Did you know we offer noise surveys and personal sampling services with a qualified industrial hygienist?
Noise-Related Services
Hearing Conservation Resources and Tools
Conference Session
Noise-induced hearing loss is among the most common occupational hazards people face at work—and poor (or toxic!) air quality is among the most dangerous. In this essential JHSC session, we cover the basics of air quality and noise exposure that every committee member should know. Find out how noise damage happens in our ears, what […]
Watch on Demand
“Noise” is unwanted sound. The psychological effects of noise is that it can startle you, annoy you, and disrupt your concentration. Physiological effects include loss of hearing. Severe exposure to noise can cause pain and even nausea. Noise can also affect communications which interferes with both job performance and your safety.
Hearing Protection Devices (HPD), also known as hearing protectors, are devices worn as a barrier to reduce sound levels entering the ears to diminish the harmful effects of sound. Examples of HPD can include earplugs and earmuffs. With each of these HPD, there is a large variety of examples to choose from.
Noise Hazards— Surveys and Testing Noise is one of the most common occupational health hazards. WorkSafeBC has established occupational exposure limits (OEL) to protect workers’ hearing as well as protect their mental health. An employer must ensure that a worker is not exposed to noise levels above 85 dBA Lex daily noise exposure level or […]
News & Blog Articles
In March, we recognize World Hearing Day (March 3) – an annual global advocacy event that calls for action to address hearing loss. Hearing loss is more common than you might think – an estimated 54 percent of Canadians, ages...