1.7.1 Health Records (Regulation 9(2))
Primary Legislation
- Personal details of the employee
- A record of all exposure assessments for the individual
- A record of all hearing tests (audiograms)
- Details of any hearing protection provided
- Any action taken as a result of surveillance
Required Contents: The employer must make and maintain a health record for each employee undergoing health surveillance. The record must be kept available in a suitable form.
Personal details of the employee
A record of all exposure assessments for the individual
A record of all hearing tests (audiograms)
Details of any hearing protection provided
Any action taken as a result of surveillance
Retention Period: Health records must be kept for at least 40 years from the date of the last entry (as per the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, which applies by analogy).
The employer must allow an employee access to their personal health record on reasonable notice
The employer must provide the enforcing authority with copies of health records as required
Why it matters for fit testing: Fit test results (PAR values) should be included in health records as evidence of the adequacy of hearing protection. This provides defensible documentation that the employer has met their duty under Regulation 7(4)(a). Related: [#documentation-defensibility](#documentation-defensibility).
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