Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304)

PART VIILevels of Sound

Interpretation

7.1 In this Part,

A-weighted sound pressure level

A-weighted sound pressure level means a sound pressure level as determined by a measurement system which includes an A-weighting filter that meets the requirements set out in the International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 651 (1979), Sound Level Meters, as amended from time to time; (niveau de pression acoustique pondérée A)

dBA

dBA means decibel A-weighted and is a unit of A-weighted sound pressure level; (dBA)

large truck

large truck[Repealed, SOR/98-589, s. 1]

noise exposure level (L_ex,8)

noise exposure level (L_ex,8) means 10 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the time integral over any 24 hour period of a squared A-weighted sound pressure divided by 8, the reference sound pressure being 20 µPa; (niveau d’exposition (L_ex,8))

sound level meter

sound level meter means a device for measuring sound pressure level that meets the performance requirements for a Type 2 instrument as specified in the International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 651 (1979), Sound Level Meters, as amended from time to time; (sonomètre)

sound pressure level

sound pressure level means 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the root mean square pressure of a sound to the reference sound pressure of 20 µPa, expressed in decibels. (niveau de pression acoustique)

Measurement and Calculation of Exposure

• 7.2 (1) For the purposes of this Part, the exposure of an employee to sound shall be measured using an instrument that

  • (a) is recommended for that measurement in clause 4.3 of CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z107.56-13, Measurement of Noise Exposure; and

  • (b) meets the requirements for such an instrument set out in clause 4 of the Standard referred to in paragraph (a).

• (2) The exposure of an employee to sound shall be measured in accordance with clauses 5, 6.4.1, 6.4.4, 6.5.2, 6.5.4, 6.6.2 and 6.6.4 of the Standard referred to in paragraph (1)(a).

• (3) For the purposes of this Part, the measurement and calculation of the noise exposure level (L_{ex, 8}) to which an employee is exposed shall take into account the exposure of the employee to A-weighted sound pressure levels of 74 dBA and greater.

• (4) The measurement and calculation of the noise exposure level (L_{ex, 8}) referred to in subsection (3) may also take into account the exposure of the employee to A-weighted sound pressure levels that are less than 74 dBA.

Hazard Investigation

• 7.3 (1) Where an employee in a work place may be exposed to an A-weighted sound pressure level equal to or greater than 84 dBA for a duration that is likely to endanger the employee’s hearing, the employer shall, without delay,

  • (a) appoint a qualified person to carry out an investigation of the degree of exposure; and

  • (b) notify the work place committee or the health and safety representative of the investigation and the name of the person appointed to carry out the investigation.

• (2) [Repealed, SOR/98-589, s. 2]

• (3) For the purposes of subsection (1), the measurement of the A-weighted sound pressure level in a work place shall be performed instantaneously, during normal working conditions, using the slow response setting of a sound level meter.

• (4) In the investigation referred to in subsection (1), the following matters shall be considered:

  • (a) the sources of sound in the work place;

  • (b) the A-weighted sound pressure levels to which the employee is likely to be exposed and the duration of such exposure;

  • (c) the methods being used to reduce this exposure;

  • (d) whether the exposure of the employee is likely to exceed the limits prescribed by section 7.4; and

  • (e) whether the employee is likely to be exposed to a noise exposure level (L_ex,8) equal to or greater than 84 dBA.

• (5) On completion of the investigation and after consultation with the work place committee or the health and safety representative, the person appointed to carry out the investigation shall set out in a written report signed and dated by the person

  • (a) observations respecting the matters considered in accordance with subsection (4);

  • (b) recommendations respecting the measures that should be taken in order to comply with sections 7.4 to 7.8; and

  • (c) recommendations respecting the use of hearing protectors by employees who are exposed to a noise exposure level (L_ex,8) equal to or greater than 84 dBA and not greater than 87 dBA.

• (6) The report shall be kept by the employer at the work place in respect of which it applies for a period of ten years after the date of the report.

• (7) Where it is stated in the report that an employee is likely to be exposed to a noise exposure level (L_ex,8) equal to or greater than 84 dBA, the employer shall, without delay,

  • (a) post and keep posted a copy of the report in a conspicuous place in the work place in respect of which it applies; and

  • (b) provide the employee with written information describing the hazards associated with exposure to high levels of sound.

Limits of Exposure

7.4 No employee in a work place shall, in any 24 hour period, be exposed to

• (a) an A-weighted sound pressure level set out in column I of the schedule for a duration of exposure exceeding the applicable duration set out in column II, or

• (b) a noise exposure level (L_{ex 8}) that exceeds 87 dBA.

Reduction of Sound Exposure

7.5 If feasible, every employer shall, by engineering controls or other physical means other than hearing protectors, reduce an employee’s exposure to a sound level that does not exceed the limits referred to in section 7.4.

Report to Head of Compliance and Enforcement

7.6 If it is not feasible for an employer, without providing hearing protectors to maintain an employee’s exposure to a sound level that does not exceed the limits referred to in section 7.4, the employer shall, without delay,

• (a) make a report in writing to the Head of Compliance and Enforcement setting out the reasons why it is not feasible to do so; and

• (b) provide a copy of the report to the work place committee or the health and safety representative.

Hearing Protection

• 7.7 (1) If an employer is required to make a report in accordance with section 7.6, the employer shall, as soon as feasible, provide every employee who is exposed to the sound level referred to in section 7.4 with a hearing protector that

  • (a) meets the requirements set out in CSA Standard Z94.2-M1984, Hearing Protectors, as amended from time to time; and

  • (b) prevents the exposure to the sound level referred to in section 7.4.

• (2) Where an employer provides a hearing protector to an employee pursuant to subsection (1), the employer shall

  • (a) in consultation with the work place committee or the health and safety representative, formulate a program to train the employee in the fit, care and use of the hearing protector; and

  • (b) implement the program.

• (3) Every employer shall ensure that every person, other than an employee, to whom the employer grants access to a work place if the person is likely to be exposed to a sound level that exceeds the limits referred to in section 7.4 uses a hearing protector that meets the standard referred to in paragraph (1)(a).

Warning Signs

• 7.8 (1) At every work place where an employee may be exposed to an A-weighted sound pressure level greater than 87 dBA, the employer shall, at conspicuous locations within the work place, post and keep posted signs warning of a potentially hazardous level of sound in the work place.

• (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the measurement of the A-weighted sound pressure level in a work place shall be performed instantaneously, during normal working conditions, using the slow response setting of a sound level meter.