Hearing Conservation In The Construction Industry The BC Experience Margaret Roberts Hearing...
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Hearing Conservation In The Construction Industry The BC Experience Margaret Roberts Hearing Conservation Section Workers Compensation Board of
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Transcript of Hearing Conservation In The Construction Industry The BC Experience Margaret Roberts Hearing...
Hearing Conservation In The Construction IndustryThe BC Experience
Margaret RobertsHearing Conservation SectionWorkers Compensation Board
ofBritish Columbia
Background
In BC , WCB responsible for: No-fault insurance – occupational
accident and disease claims
Health and safety regulations – development and enforcement
FUNDED by INDUSTRY
Why Hearing Conservation ?
1975 NIHL added to list of industrial diseases for compensation
Potentially ¼ million workers
Permanent disability awards & hearing aids
Why ? cont’d
Increased awareness
Impact of hearing loss NIHL painless, progressive, permanent PREVENTABLE
Hearing Conservation History
1979 First RegulationGradual compliance/enforcement Forest Industry Heavy Manufacturing
Construction Industry
Hearing Conservation History
1984 Discussions with Construction Industry
Respond to perception that noise not a problem
Even if it is, should be exempt
History Cont’d
WCB conducted noise exposure surveys
Focused hearing testing
Increased inspection attention on worksites
History Cont’d
1987 Agreement with construction industry that WCB would administer a payment scheme for hearing tests
Paying for Hearing Tests
Test Provider Employer
WCB
arrange testing
annual assessmentdirect paymentfor tests submitted
Hearing Testing
Payment : $22.50
“Test” includes: medical history questions hearing threshold testing individual counseling re. results and HP plus issuing individual record card
History Cont’d
1995 New Hearing Conservation and Noise Control regulations
1996 to 2000 Payment scheme reviewed and
renewed Emphasis on all elements of a HC
ProgramProgram
Hearing Conservation Program Elements
Evaluation of exposures
Noise control
Education and training
Posting of Hazard
Hearing Protection
Hearing Tests
Program review
What About the Other 6 Elements? Worker noise exposures
Use WCB info Noise Control
Study of equipment noise 1999 Education and Training
Pamphlets/posters available Counseling at time of test
Provision and enforcement of use of hearing protection
1981NP=50%
1988NP=44%
Other Elements…cont’d
Muff14%
Plug66%
No HP16%
Plug & Muff4%
1999
NP=16%
Regular Use of HP by Occupation
49
55
64
74
46
7677
87
64
90
73
94
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Carpenters Electricians Labourers Equip.Operators Truck Drivers Welders
%
1988 1999
Other Elements…cont’d
Posting of Hazard Questionnaire as part of 1999 audit
showed few sites posted for this hazard compared with “hardhat area” signs
Program review Little done at individual firm level
Success? Hearing testing being done
(46,000 in 1999) Increased awareness
Employers Workers
Little “ownership” on site Reduction in degree of hearing loss
Heavy Equipment Operator
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0.5 1 2 3 4 6 8
frequency (Hz)
dB HL
19891999
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0.5 1 2 3 4 6 8
frequency (Hz)
dB HL
19891999
Carpenters
Electrician
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0.5 1 2 3 4 6 8
frequency (Hz)
dB HL
19891999
