What is a Hearing Conservation Programme?
A Hearing Conservation Programme (HCP) is a programme that is implemented at a workplace:
- To minimise the risk associated with workplace noise exposure; and
- To prevent Noise Induced Deafness (NID).
Companies with excessive noise exposure must implement HCP to minimise noise exposure and prevent noise induced deafness.
Legal Requirement for Hearing Conservation Programme
The Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines Hearing Conservation Programme Rev 2014 specified in the company’s workplace safety and health (WSH) programme mandates an employer to put in place a comprehensive Hearing Conservation Programme (HCP) in order to protect the workforce from exposure to excessive noise. This implementation is essential if a person stays exposed to 85 dB(A) or more over an eight-hour workday.
Qsis Pte Ltd offers services of highly skilled and duly-qualified noise expert consultants who would provide the necessary assistance to the employers in preparing a comprehensive Hearing Conservation Program for various types of industries ranging from manufacturing units, factories, petrochemical industries to construction sites. Apart from preparing the Hearing Conservation Programme for the clients, the noise consultants from Qsis Pte Ltd also steer the occupiers or owners of the factory premises in the right direction to take the necessary steps of the Hearing Conservation Programme through identification of the elements of the programme.
Elements of Hearing Conservation Programme:
The CSA Standard Z1007 Hearing Loss Prevention Program Management recommends that a hearing conservation program include the following elements:
- Hazard identification and exposure monitoring;
- Control methods (using the hierarchy of controls);
- Hearing protection devices (selection, use, and maintenance);
- Audiometric testing;
- Hazard communication, education, and training;
- Recordkeeping; and
- Continuous monitoring and improvement (program review).
There are basically six steps of a Hearing Conservation Program (though this is not necessarily limited to the number). These steps are:
Step 1:
Perform noise mapping to identify the high noise zones within the workplace and personal dosimetry to the required number of workforce as per the Workplace Safety and Health (Noise) regulations 2011.
Qsis Pte Ltd delivers specialized noise consultants to perform the noise mapping and personal dosimetry in the client’s premises as per the legal requirement and prevailing guidelines in practice.
Step 2:
Once the high noise zones are identified, the noise control measures are implemented on the basis of the noise mapping report as per the hierarchy of the control measures.
Qsis Pte Ltd shall advise the occupier or the license holder of the factory premises on the noise zones which fall under ‘high exposure’ limits and take the noise control measures as per the hierarchy of control measures depending upon their feasibility. Our experts shall also discuss with the occupier or the factory license holder and advise the most feasible control measures that can be taken to prevent the exposure of the workforce to the high noise levels in accordance with the legal requirements.
Step 3:
This step involves meticulous selection of the most suitable Personal Protective Equipment (ear plug or ear muff) based on the required Noise Reduction Rate (NRR) to scale down the workforce noise exposure level less than 85 dB(A) or more over an eight-hour workday.
Qsis Pte Ltd, being a registered and committed vendor, provides duly-qualified noise consultants who, besides selecting the hearing protector based on Noise Reduction Rate, also propose the hearing protector keeping in view the convenience of the workforce and in tune with the legal requirements as well.
Step 4:
This step includes preparing Hearing Conservation Programme Training slides and apprising the workforce involved in carrying out noisy tasks of the need and importance of Hearing Conservation Programme.
The skilled personnel of the Qsis Pte Ltd prepares the Hearing Conservation Programme Training slides in conjunction with the noise mapping report.
All the noise consultants of Qsis Pte Ltd are certified and competent trainers in conducting Hearing Conservation Training programme. After the completion of successful Hearing Conservation Training of the workforce, a training record shall be created and submitted to client for future reference as well as recordkeeping which may be verified by the authorities later.
Step 5:
This step ensures the following tasks on the part of our company:
- Conducting audiometric examination at least once a year for the existing workforce (who are exposed to high noise levels within their workplace);
- Conducting audiometric examination for the new joined workforce within three months of their recruitment; and
- Submitting the Audiometric examination to Ministry of Manpower through the official online portal
Qsis Pte Ltd facilitates the services of certified and competent audiometric technicians to conduct the air conduction audiometric examination and bone conduction audiometric examination, prepare the audiometric examination report in the approved format by Ministry of Manpower and submit the report online well in time on behalf of our clients.
Step 6:
This is an administrative step which involves maintaining and keeping a track record of the documents. It includes the following tasks:
- Actions taken by the occupier or factory owner of the premises to control the noise;
- Maintaining the PPE (Hearing Protection) issue record
- Keeping a record of the noise mapping reports
- Keeping a record of the audiometric examination report
Qsis Pte Ltd has on its rolls fully-skilled and well-trained noise consultants to assist our clients / client representatives in the filing system in a befitting manner that suits the job scope of the clients and fulfils legal requirements at the same time.
Step 7:
This step involves the following:
- Feedback collection from the workforce involved in various stages of the Hearing Conservation Program
- To assess the collected feedbacks, find loopholes if any, to work for improvement through an action plan
Qsis Pte Ltd provides the services of committed and experienced noise consultants to assist our clients / client representatives in the preparation of feedback forms, analyzing the collected feedback, and planning and execution of consistent improvement in the Hearing Conservation Programme.