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

Section 132 Disposition versions

2023-06-16

132. At the time of the design and organization of an establishment, the implementation of a new process or a change to the design, organization or process, the employer must take reasonable means to eliminate or reduce noise at source or, at a minimum, reduce workers’ exposure to noise.

Such means must also be taken at the time of the purchase or replacement of a machine or piece of equipment so that the one that produces the least noise is acquired.

The reasonable means referred to in this section must not compromise any other element of worker health or safety.

O.C. 885-2001, s. 132; O.C. 781-2021, s. 2.

2012-09-01

132. Continuous noises at different levels: Where a worker is exposed to continuous noises at different levels, the combined effect of those levels shall be computed by using one of the following methods:

(1)  by adding the following fractions:

C1 + C2 + ...Cm , where C indicates the total time in hours

__ __ __

T1 T2 Tm

of exposure at a specific level and where T indicates the total duration in hours of exposure permitted in accordance with section 131;

(2)  by computing the equivalent sound level in dBA equivalent with the following formula:

Leq = 16.61 log10 1 o∫T 10 L(t)/16,61 dt,

T

where: Leq = equivalent sound level

L = instantaneous sound level in dBA

T = total duration of worker’s exposure, expressed in hours and by using the sound level thus obtained to apply the table in section 131.

Where the method of computation specified in subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph is used, a worker shall not be exposed to a sound level such that the sum of the fractions exceeds the unit.

The computations specified in this evaluation shall not include any exposure of a worker to a sound level of less than 85 dBA.

O.C. 885-2001, s. 132.