
Occupational Hearing Conservation
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The main objective of a Hearing Conservation Programme is to ensure that no hearing damage occurs to employees as a result of noise exposure at work. The cost of establishing and maintaining such a program is small compared to the cost of claims that may have to be paid for occupational hearing loss.
An effective Hearing Conservation Programme should consist of: |
Hearing Healthcare Ireland advises companies on how best to establish a Hearing Conservation Programme that incorporates Noise Assessment, Hearing Protection, and Audiometry (with a Mobile Testing Unit). Audiometry is used effectively to record and monitor hearing levels either a) prior to joining a company, b) at regular intervals during employment with a company to help detect changes in hearing levels due to exposure to excessive noise levels, or c) when leaving a company in order to establish the exit hearing level to avoid claims for hearing damage arising from subsequent employment elsewhere. In the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (Chapter 1 of Part 5 of the General Application Regulations 2007) Noise Assessment, Hearing Protection, and Audiometric Screening are covered under Regulations 124, 129 & 131 respectively.
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