Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00426:reg:0:p9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00426
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 0 (pt 9/20)
Character Range: 45370–48248

explanation of the meaning and implications. Only with the consent of the worker should you provide their results to other parties. Unidentifiable individual results and group data should be made available to health and safety representatives of the worker's work group.
The reasons for any changes in hearing levels over time should be thoroughly investigated.
When temporary or permanent threshold shifts are revealed through audiometric assessments or a worker reports a recent diagnosis of tinnitus, you must review your control measures to determine whether more effective control measures can be implemented so that your workers do not have to rely on personal hearing protectors.

If the worker is to continue using personal hearing protectors, you should:

    * verify that the nominal performance of the worker's personal hearing protector is adequate for the level of exposure to noise
    * examine the protector carefully and ensure it is not damaged
    * check the protector fits the worker closely with no leakage paths for noise
    * ask the worker if they have any difficulty using the protector
    * check the worker uses the protector correctly and consistently whilst performing their work.
If workers are found to have sufficient hearing loss to interfere with the safe performance of their work, all reasonably practicable steps should be taken to modify the work environment. This may include providing:

    * volume control on equipment such as telephones
    * acoustically treated meeting areas with low noise and low sound reflections
    * supplementary visual warning signals
    * alternative work for the worker if other measures do not remedy the situation.
Monitoring hearing with regular audiometric testing is recommended in situations where workers are exposed to:
    * any of the ototoxic substances listed in Appendix A where the airborne exposure (without regard to respiratory protection worn) is greater than 50 per cent of the national exposure standard for the substance, regardless of the noise level
    * ototoxic substances at any level and noise with LAeq,8h greater than 80 dB(A) or LC,peak greater than 135 dB(C)
    * hand-arm vibration at any level and noise with LAeq,8h greater than 80 dB(A) or LC,peak greater than 135 dB(C).

5.8 Information, training and instruction

Section 19: A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that information, training and instruction is provided to workers and others at the workplace to protect them from health and safety risks.
Regulation 39: The information, training and instruction must, so far as is reasonably practicable, be provided in a way that can be easily understood by any person to whom it is provided.
Training should be provided to:

    * those workers who may be exposed to hazardous noise or other agents that