1.7.2 Action on Identified Hearing Damage (Regulation 9(4))

If health surveillance identifies hearing damage, the employer must ensure the employee is examined by a doctor. If the doctor (or specialist) considers the damage is likely to be the result of noise exposure, the employer must:

(a) Ensure a suitably qualified person informs the employee

(b) Review the risk assessment

(c) Review any measures taken to comply with Regulations 6, 7, and 8, taking into account advice from a doctor, occupational health professional, or enforcing authority

(d) Consider assigning the employee to alternative work where there is no risk from further noise exposure, taking into account medical advice

(e) Ensure continued health surveillance and provide for a review of the health of any other employee who has been similarly exposed

Why it matters for fit testing: If hearing damage is identified and the employee was using hearing protection, fit testing should be part of the review under (c) to determine whether the protection was adequate. If fit testing was not previously conducted, this is the trigger to implement it. Related: [#managing-inadequate-attenuation](#managing-inadequate-attenuation).

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