Noise and Hearing Conservation Program
Exposure to excessive noise in a workplace is a physical hazard. It is a serious and widespread problem in many New Brunswick workplaces. Exposure to excessive noise [>85 dBA] can cause short term (acute or reversible) or permanent hearing loss (chronic or irreversible) depending on the type of noise the employee is exposed to. Different types of work generate different types of noise.
It's important to know that overexposure to noise doesn't necessarily take a long time. Short periods of very high noise can cause overexposure and irreversible damage to the ear. Other health hazards from noise can cause a number of physiological and psychological effects. These effects can include:
- Interfering with speech, concentration and thought processes
- Disrupting sleep
- Fatigue and aggression
- Reduced immune response
High level noise may initially cause dull hearing and ringing in the ears. Regular high level noise exposures will lead to hearing loss and other adverse health effects. Low level noise can interfere with activities or concentration and causes similar stress and health effects as high level noise.
The three main types of noise are distinguished by how the noise changes over time.
- Continuous noise remains constant and stable over a period of time. For example, boilers in a powerhouse, fans, vibrating machines and compressors.
- Variable or intermittent noise fluctuates between quiet and loud in a given time period. For example, woodworking machines and sewing machines.
- Impulse or impact noise occurs in very high intensity and very short duration. For example, punch press, hammering and gun shots.
To prevent health hazards from excessive noise exposure, as an employer you must:
- Make sure when the employer or employee believes it is possible that the noise level may exceed 80 dBA, that the noise level is measured by a competent person according to the CSA Standard Z107.56-06 (R2011) "Procedures for the measurement of occupational noise exposure" or a standard offering equivalent or better protection.
- Make reports available to the committee or representative and to an officer on request.
- Ensure the exposure to noise is as low as possible, and does not exceed the following exposures:
- More than 85 dBA for 8 hours,
- More than 88 dBA for 4 hours, or
- More than 91 dBA for 2 hours. See regulation 91-191 for other exposure limits
- Consult with the committee or health and safety representative, if any, or with employees about the selection of types of hearing protective equipment used by employees.
- With the employee who uses the equipment, keep the equipment in sanitary condition, if hearing protective equipment is required
- Ensure any hearing protective equipment conforms to CSA standard CSA Z94.2-14 (R2019), "Hearing protection devices - Performance, selection, care and use" or a standard offering equivalent or better protection.
- Where noise levels exceed 85dBA ensure that the area is clearly marked by a sign that indicates the range of the noise levels measured and warns of the noise hazard.
To determine employee TWA (time-weighted average) exposure, an audio (or noise) dosimeter or a sound level meter can be used. It is important to note the differences, including advantages and disadvantages between both pieces of equipment. CSA has developed a standard that can be used as a guide to properly measure employee exposure to noise CSA Standard Z107.56-06 (R2011), "Procedures for the measurement of occupational noise exposure" or you can use a standard offering equivalent or better protection.
While the employer is ultimately responsible for all the provisions mentioned above, the supervisor has a vital role to play in the safety of their teams. As a supervisor, you must:
- Acquaint your employees with the hazards and control measures associated with their work
- Provide the information and instruction necessary to ensure their health and safety
- Enforce company safety rules, programs, codes of practice and , including ensuring employees comply with the requirements below.
As an employee, you must:
- Wear hearing protection, when required by the employer if you are exposed to noise levels such as:
- More than 85 dBA for 8 hours
- More than 88 dBA for 4 hours
- More than 91 dBA for 2 hours
- Know how to fit, use and care for hearing protectors.
Interpretations/Details
The two main types of hearing protection are muffs and plugs. They each have advantages and disadvantages but generally ear muffs provide better protection. (Reference: WorkSafeNB - Hearing Protection)
Plugs and muffs should have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) printed on the packaging. This rating is the protection provided in an ideal situation. In the real world, the protection may only be half of the printed NRR and this needs to be considered when determining if employees are adequately protected when working in noisy environments.
Hearing Conservation Code of Practice
The employer must establish and implement a hearing code of practice when noise exposure exceeds, or is believed to exceed, the noise exposure limits.
The code of practice must include:
- The noise level that employees will be exposed to,
- The location of the work area where the code of practice applies,
- The noise control measures that will be implemented, including engineering controls,
- The selection, use, and maintenance of hearing protective equipment,
- The methods and procedures that will be used to train employees about the hazards of excessive noise exposure, and the correct use of control measures and hearing protective equipment,
- That signs will be posted in the work area to identify noise hazards and the precautions required, and
- The requirements for hearing tests.
When employees are exposed to noise that exceeds the noise exposure limits, the employer will arrange a hearing test as soon as possible after employment starts (but not later than six months after the start of employment), and at least once every 24 months after the initial tests.
Hearing tests must be administered by:
- An audiologist who is registered as a member of the New Brunswick Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (NBASLPA), or
- A person who successfully completed a training course referred to in section 6 of CSA Standard Z107.6:16 (R2020), "Audiometric testing for use in hearing loss prevention programs", or a standard offering equivalent or better protection.
The employer must keep records of:
- The hearing test results of each employee and the results must be kept:
- While the employee is employed by the employer,
- Made available to an officer when requested, and
- Confidential and not released to anyone other than an officer without the written permission of the employee, or as required by law.
- The instruction and training provided to employees, and
- The noise level measurements.
Physical hazard – A term used to describe energies, the exposures to which in sufficient quantities and duration may result in illness or injury to human health. Physical agents include noise, ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, extremes in temperature and pressure, vibration, electric and magnetic fields.
dBA – A-weighted decibels are an expression of the relative loudness of sounds in air as perceived by the human ear. In the A-weighted system, the decibel values of sounds at low frequencies are reduced. This correction is made because the human ear is less sensitive at low audio frequencies (below 1000 Hz) than at high audio frequencies.
Viewing CSA Standards as Referenced in NB Legislation
Certain CSA standards are available for online viewing or purchase from the CSA Group.
To access these, you must first create an account with CSA Communities
Once you are logged in, click on the "OHS Standards / View Access" option.
Click on New Brunswick to see the CSA Standards as referenced in N.B. legislation.
Audio (or noise) dosimeter – A dosimeter is like a sound level meter except that it stores sound level measurements and combines these measurements over time, providing an average noise exposure reading for a given period of time, such as an 8-hour workday.
Muffs
- Useful for intermittent noisy work as they are quick and easy to put on and take off.
- Don’t last forever. Their protection and comfort decrease over time. Muff cushions must be replaced when they lose flexibility or are damaged.
- Tension in the headband needs to be just right: too loose - they don’t give enough protection; too tight – they’re uncomfortable.
Plugs
- Are light and comfortable for most users. But they have to be put in properly to work correctly. Your hands have to be clean to insert them.
- Come in single-use or multiple-use types. Multiple-use types should be replaced often when working in contaminated environments.
General Regulation - Occupational Health and Safety
Act
N.B. Reg. 91-191
Part V NOISE AND VIBRATION
Section 29 Measurement of noise level
29. (1) If an employer or an employee has reason to sus‐ pect that the noise level in a work area may exceed 80 dBA, an employer shall ensure that the noise level is measured by a competent person in accordance with CSA standard Z107.56-06 (R2011), Procedures for the measurement of occupational noise exposure or a standard offering equivalent or better protection.
(a) the noise level is measured by a competent person using a sound level meter that conforms as a minimum to the requirements of ANSI standard S1.4-1983, "American National Standard Specification for Sound Level Meters", for a Type 2 sound level meter that is set to use the A-weighted network with slow meter response, and
(b) the amount of time that an employee spends in a work area where the noise level exceeds 80 dBA is measured.
(2) An employer shall ensure that the information obtained under subsection (1) is documented and made available to a committee or health and safety representative, if any, and to an officer on request.
(3) Where there is reason to suspect that substantial changes in noise levels documented under subsection (1) have occurred, an employer shall ensure that the noise level and employee exposure is re-measured and documented in accordance with the requirements of subsection (1).
[N.B. Reg. 2022-27, s. 18; 2024-38, s. 17]
Section 29.1 Hearing conservation code of practice
29.1 (1) If the noise exposure in a work area exceeds or is believed to exceed the noise exposure limits set out in section 30, an employer shall ensure that a code of practice concerning hearing conservation is established for the work area.
(2) An employer shall consult with a committee or health and safety representative, if any, or with employees if there is no committee or representative, in developing the code of practice.
(3) The code of practice shall contain information concerning the following:
(a) the noise level to which employees will be exposed;
(b) the location of the work area to which the code of practice applies;
(c) the implementation of noise control measures including measures that involve the use of engineering controls to reduce noise exposure;
(d) the selection, use and maintenance of hearing protective equipment;
(e) the methods and procedures to be used to train employees in the hazards of excessive exposure to noise and the correct use of control measures and hearing protective equipment;
(f) the posting of signs in the work area identifying the noise hazard and the precautions required; and
(g) the requirements for hearing tests.
(4) An employee shall comply with the code of practice, and an employer shall ensure that employees comply with the code of practice.
(5) An employer shall ensure that a copy of the code of practice is made available to an officer on re‐ quest.
(6) An employer shall review the code of practice at least once each year in consultation with
(a) the committee, if any,
(b) a health and safety representative, if any, or
(c) if there is no committee or representative, employees.
(7) An employer shall update the codes of practice
(a) when there is a change in condition at the work area, or
(b) when ordered to do so by an officer.
[N.B. Reg. 2024-38, s. 18]
Section 29.2 Hearing tests
29.2 (1) An employer shall provide a hearing test to employees who are exposed to noise that exceeds the noise exposure limits set out in section 30
(a) an audiologist who is registered with the New Brunswick Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (NBASLPA), or
(b) a person who successfully completed a training course referred to in clause 6 of CSA standard Z-107.6:16 (R2020), Audiometric testing for use in hearing loss prevention programs or a standard offering equivalent or better protection.
[N.B. Reg. 2024-38, s. 18]
Section 29.3 Records re hearing tests
29.3 An employer shall keep records of
(a) the hearing test results for each employee, and the results shall
(i) be kept as long as the employee is employed by the employer,
(ii) be made available to an officer on request, and
(iii) be kept confidential and not released to any‐ one other than an officer without the written per‐ mission of the employee, or as otherwise required by law,
(b) the instruction and training provided by the employer to employees concerning the hazards of excessive exposure to noise and the correct use of control measures and hearing protective equipment, and
(c) the noise level measurements taken in accordance with section 29.
[N.B. Reg. 2024-38, s. 18]
Section 30 Maximum exposure of employee to noise
30. (1) An employer shall ensure that the exposure of an employee to noise is kept as low as is practical and does not exceed the following exposures:
Table
| Sound level | Duration per day |
| dBA | Hours |
| 80 | 24 |
| 82 | 16 |
| 85 | 8 |
| 88 | 4 |
| 91 | 2 |
| 94 | 1 |
| 97 | 1/2 |
| 100 | 1/4 |
(2) Repealed. [N.B. Reg. 2024-38, s. 20]
(3) An employer shall ensure that no employee is exposed to continuous, intermittent or impact noise in excess of a peak A-weighted level of 140 dB, using a Type 2 sound level meter that is set to use the A-weighted network with slow meter response.
[N.B. Reg. 2001-33, s. 12; 2024-38, s. 20]
Section 33 Noise level in excess of 85 dBA
33. Where the noise level exceeds 85 dBA in an area, an employer shall ensure that the area is clearly marked by a sign that indicates the range of the noise levels measured and warns of the noise hazard.
Part VII PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Section 48 Hearing Protective Equipment
48. (1) An employer shall ensure that hearing protective equipment conforms to CSA standard Z94.2-14 (R2019), Hearing protection devices - Performance, selection, care, and use or a standard offering equivalent protection.
(2) An employer shall consult with a committee or health and safety representative, if any, or with employees if there is no committee or representative, concerning the selection of the types of hearing protective equipment to be used by employees.
(3) Where hearing protective equipment is required, an employer and an employee who uses the equipment shall each ensure that the equipment is kept in a sanitary condition.
[N.B. Reg. 2001-33, s. 21; 2020-35, s. 7; 2022-79, s. 12; 2024-38, s. 30]