A Noise assessment should be completed for all of your work area to determine if any noise is present above 85dBA. A Noise Assessment (Sound Level Readings) including Noise Dosimetry for all areas is required for all areas with noise above 85 dBA to create or update your Noise Management and Hearing Conservation Program.

 

For the noise assessment, the number of unique areas or pieces of equipment, or exposed workers will determine the prices of the required testing. Simple sound level meter testing to confirm that the noise is above 85 dBA is priced per area/piece of equipment. A full assessment including dosimetry for each worker position will be more expensive and will come with a complete report for your records.

 

Here is the link for Noise exposure assessments in the work area.

 

http://work.alberta.ca/SearchAARC/630.html

http://work.alberta.ca/documents/WHS-LEG_ohsc_p16.pdf

Re: Hearing Testing

In Alberta, Hearing Testing is required for noise exposed workers within 6 months of hire, one year after the first test, and then every two years for the duration of the worker’s employment in a noise area. As an Employer, obtaining the baseline hearing testing as close to the date of hire is a good method of reducing your risk of a progressive hearing loss claim for a worker. An exit interview hearing test is advised to confirm the worker’s hearing levels just prior to termination.

http://work.alberta.ca/documents/WHS-PUB_hs005.pdf

http://www.wcb.ab.ca/workers/publications_forms.asp

http://www.wcb.ab.ca/pdfs/providers/Hear_package.pdf

Conduct your noise assessment, if noise is above 85 dBA in the work area, a code of practice is required (Noise Management and Hearing Conservation Program), educate the workers regarding the use of hearing protection, provide adequate hearing protection, and perform a recorded discipline with the worker for failure to use hearing protection when hearing protection is required. We can assist you to develop a code of practice for your Noise Management and Hearing Conservation Program. Your records of disciplinary action for a worker related to their failure to use hearing protection can be added to any potential Employer WCB AB report in the event of a hearing loss claim. Failure to ensure that a worker is using the required PPE hearing protection may result in a fine by OHS AB (See PPE 12(2)).

http://work.alberta.ca/documents/TAPS-ticketable-provisions.pdf

http://work.alberta.ca/searchaarc/569.html

http://work.alberta.ca/occupational-health-safety/ticketing-and-administrative-penalties.html

http://work.alberta.ca/SearchAARC/184.html

How to protect yourself and others while working in extremely cold or hot temperatures.

People who work outdoors face health risks associated with extreme heat and cold. For more information, read: Best Practice – Working Safely in the Heat and Cold (PDF, 1.88 MB)

On April 28, we come together to remember all the workers who were killed, injured or disabled on the job.

Sadly, Alberta lost 166 men and women to workplace injury or illness in 2017.

Be aware that falling ice and snow from buildings.

 

Corrective actions:

Engineered Control	Remove overhead ice and snow where possible Barricade or tape high risk areas
Administrative	Walk around fall areas
PPE	Wear hard hat