S-2.1, r. 13 - Regulation respecting occupational health and safety

Section 141 Disposition versions

2023-06-16

141. The employer must provide hearing protectors that meet the performance and selection requirements in the following clauses of CSA Standard Z94.2-2014, Hearing Protection Devices – Performance, Selection, Care, and Use:

(1)  3 to 8.2.1;

(2)  8.2.4 to 9.1;

(3)  9.3.4;

(4)  9.4;

(5)  9.5.3 to 9.6.1;

(6)  9.6.3 to 9.7.1;

(7)  9.8.3;

(8)  9.9 to 10.3.5;

(9)  11.2.3 to 11.2.5;

(10)  12 to 12.2.6.3;

(11)  tables 1 to 6;

(12)  annexes A, B and D.

For the purposes of Clause 9.6.4.3 of the standard, the result of a measurement performed in accordance with subdivision 4 may be used as a measurement of a worker’s noise exposure, namely the Lex,8h or LEX,8h equivalent.

That measurement is not mandatory where the employer selects hearing protectors according to the single-number ratings method provided for in the standard.

The employer may also provide hearing protectors that meet

(1)  the performance requirements set out in the following clauses of the Hearing protectors - general requirements standard or Safety requirements and testing, as the case may be:

(a)  1 to 6 and annexes A and ZA of Part 1: Ear-muffs, NF EN 352-1;

(b)  1 to 6 and annexes A and ZA of Part 2: Earplugs, NF EN 352-2;

(c)  1 to 6 and annexes A and ZA of Part 3: Ear-muffs attached to an industrial safety helmet, NF EN 352-3;

(d)  1 to 7 and annexes A, B and ZA of Part 4: Level-dependent ear-muffs, NF EN 352 4;

(e)  1 to 7 and annexes A, B and ZA of Part 5: Active noise-reduction ear-muffs, NF EN 352-5;

(f)  1 to 7 and annexes A, B and ZA of Part 6: Ear-muffs with electrical audio input, NF EN 352-6;

(g)  1 to 7 and annexes A, B and ZA of Part 7: Level-dependent earplugs, NF EN 352-7; and

(2)  the selection requirements set out in the following clauses of NF Standard EN 458:2016, Hearing protectors - Recommendations for selection, use, care and maintenance - Guidance document:

(a)  3 to 4;

(b)  6 to 6.2.1;

(c)  6.2.3 to 6.5;

(d)  6.8 to 6.9.2;

(e)  annexes A to E.

For the purposes of Clause 6.2.3.2 and Annex B of NF Standard EN 458:2016, the result of a measurement made in accordance with subdivision 4 may be used as a measurement of the peak sound pressure level.

A hearing protector meets the requirements of this section if it conforms to the most recent or second most recent version of a standard named in the section and has not exceeded the manufacturer’s expiry date, if any.

O.C. 885-2001, s. 141; O.C. 781-2021, s. 2.

2012-09-01

141. Measurement of noise: Noise emitted at a work station shall be measured at least once a year in any establishment that employs 50 workers or more and where such noise is likely to exceed the standards prescribed in sections 131 to 135.

Measurements shall also be taken within 30 days after a change in industrial processes or equipment or after the installation of devices for reducing the levels of noise emitted at a work station.

Measurements shall be entered in a register and kept for a period of at least 5 years.

O.C. 885-2001, s. 141.