How often do employees need to have a hearing test?
All employees in the Hearing Conservation Program must be tested annually as required by CFR 29 Part 1910.95 and ANSI S3.1-1991. Retests for any invalid test or STS (Standard Threshold Shifts) must be conducted within 30 days.
What type of testing does E&SSG conduct?
Air conduction, pure tone audiometric threshold tests will be conducted at 500hz, 1000hz, 2000hz, 3000hz, 4000hz, and 6000hz in each ear.
What type of testing equipment does E&SSG utilize?
E&SSG mobile units are equipped with today’s latest technology utilizing Tremetrics RA650 interface.
Who should be tested?
According to NIOSH, for maximum protection of the employees (and for that matter, the company), audiograms should be performed on the following five occasions:
1. Pre-employment.
2. Prior to initial assignment in a hearing hazardous work area.
3. Annually as long as the employee is assigned to a noisy job (a time-weighted average exposure level equal to or greater than 85 dBA).
4. At the time of reassignment out of a hearing hazardous job.
5. At the termination of employment.
*In addition, NIOSH suggests that employees who are not exposed be given periodic audiograms as part of the company's health care program. The audiograms of these employees can be compared to those of the exposed employees whenever the overall effectiveness of the hearing loss prevention program is evaluated.
What are the qualifications of E&SSG’s hearing technicians?
Testing completed by a CAHOC certified professional
What is expected of our employees prior to testing?
Employees should not be exposed to loud noises for 14 hours at work or at home. The employer shall notify employees of the need to avoid high levels of non-occupational noise prior to testing. This can be accomplished by the use of hearing protection devices.
What should be expected the day of testing?
Our technician will arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time to prepare and set up the unit for testing. Please determine ahead of time where we should park the mobile unit. We will require access to an electrical outlet. The technician will provide sign in sheets for the employees. It will help streamline the process if the employees have the form filled out prior to testing. When should we expect to receive our final report?
Usually reports are finalized and delivered within a week of the final testing date. Data that is captured in the field will be sent to E&SSG's audiologist for review. Once the data has been reviewed and recommendations are logged, E&SSG will print the final results in a designated hearing report. The report will include a list of employees tested, individual audiograms, a list of potential STS and Recordable shifts or potential medical condition, a list of employees retested, a summary to help identify a possible trend in a particular area and individual employee notification letters are included. You will be contacted by an E&SSG client liaison to review the results, making sure all of your questions are answered.
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