Hearing Loss Prevention Program
The University of Guelph’s Hearing Loss Prevention Program has been established to manage hazardous noise in the workplace, protect employees who have the potential to develop occupational noise-induced hearing loss and comply with applicable legislation.
This Program applies to University of Guelph employees who work in noise hazard areas or who have the potential to develop occupational hearing loss. Contractors retained by the University of Guelph must adhere to the applicable requirements of this Program.
All employees in job classifications that have been identified by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to be “noise-exposed” must participate in the Hearing Loss Prevention Training Course at the start of employment in the position and every five years thereafter. Registration for the training course is through the EHS Online Course Registration, and the course includes the following topics:
- Effects of hazardous noise on hearing
- Workplace roles and responsibilities
- Regulatory requirements
- Noise hazard assessment
- Noise control measures
- Use, selection, fit, and care of hearing protection devices
- Purpose and procedures of audiometric testing
- Provisions of the Hearing Loss Prevention Program
Noise-exposed employees at risk of developing occupational noise-induced hearing loss are offered confidential Audiometric Testing through Occupational Health and Wellness (OHW).
All employees who are required to wear hearing protection must be provided with training and instruction on their use, fit, care, maintenance, cleaning and disinfection. The Hearing Protection Information Sheet is a resource intended for those who wear hearing protection and those who supervise hearing protection users.
For Managers and supervisors of hearing protection users, please review this resource with your staff as well as work-site specific noise hazards periodically.
For additional inquiries and assistance, please contact EHS at ehs@uoguelph.ca.
Program:
Hearing Loss Prevention Program