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Hearing Conservation In The Construction Industry The BC Experience

Hearing Conservation In The Construction Industry The BC Experience. Margaret Roberts Hearing Conservation Section Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia. Background. In BC , WCB responsible for: No-fault insurance – occupational accident and disease claims

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Hearing Conservation In The Construction Industry The BC Experience

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  1. Hearing Conservation In The Construction IndustryThe BC Experience Margaret Roberts Hearing Conservation Section Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia

  2. Background In BC , WCB responsible for: • No-fault insurance – occupational accident and disease claims • Health and safety regulations – development and enforcement FUNDED by INDUSTRY

  3. Why Hearing Conservation ? • 1975 NIHL added to list of industrial diseases for compensation • Potentially ¼ million workers • Permanent disability awards & hearing aids

  4. Why ? cont’d • Increased awareness • Impact of hearing loss • NIHL painless, progressive, permanent • PREVENTABLE

  5. Hearing Conservation History • 1979 First Regulation Gradual compliance/enforcement • Forest Industry • Heavy Manufacturing • Construction Industry

  6. Hearing Conservation History • 1984 Discussions with Construction Industry • Respond to perception that noise not a problem • Even if it is, should be exempt

  7. History Cont’d • WCB conducted noise exposure surveys • Focused hearing testing • Increased inspection attention on worksites

  8. History Cont’d • 1987 Agreement with construction industry that WCB would administer a payment scheme for hearing tests

  9. Paying for Hearing Tests arrange testing Test Provider Employer direct payment for tests submitted annual assessment WCB

  10. Hearing Testing • Payment : $22.50 • “Test” includes: • medical history questions • hearing threshold testing • individual counseling re. results and HP plus issuing individual record card

  11. 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 Program

  12. Evaluation of exposures Noise control Education and training Posting of Hazard Hearing Protection Hearing Tests Program review Hearing Conservation Program Elements

  13. 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

  14. 1999 NP=16% Other Elements…cont’d • Provision and enforcement of use of hearing protection • 1981 NP=50% • 1988 NP=44%

  15. Regular Use of HP by Occupation

  16. 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

  17. Success? • Hearing testing being done (46,000 in 1999) • Increased awareness • Employers • Workers • Little “ownership” on site • Reduction in degree of hearing loss

  18. Heavy Equipment Operator

  19. Carpenters

  20. Electrician

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