S-2.1, r. 4 - Safety Code for the construction industry

Section 2.21.10 Disposition versions

2023-06-16

2.21.10. 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 section 2.21.8 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 Hearing protectors - general requirements 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 the 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 section 2.21.8 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. 781-2021, s. 2.