2.1.2 L108 Health Surveillance & Audiometry Requirements (Section 8)
HSE Guidance
- Health surveillance scope: Applies to all workers exposed at or above 80 dB(A) or 135 dB(C) peak.
- Initial audiometry: A baseline audiogram within 4 weeks of first exposure above 80 dB(A).
- Periodic testing: Annual audiograms for workers exposed above 85 dB(A), every two years for those at 80-85 dB(A).
- Significant Threshold Shift (STS): If a worker shows an STS of 10 dB or more between consecutive audiograms, employer must investigate and consider additional control measures.
- Results communication: Workers must be informed of their audiometric results and what they mean for their hearing health.
- Occupational Health Service: For larger operations, employ or contract an occupational health service to manage surveillance.
What it is: Health surveillance is the systematic monitoring of workers hearing to detect early signs of noise-induced hearing loss. Scope: Health surveillance must be offered to all workers exposed at or above 80 dB(A) or 135 dB(C) peak exposure. This is a regulatory duty under Regulation 9 of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Baseline Audiometry: A baseline audiogram should be conducted within 4 weeks of first exposure above 80 dB(A). Periodic Testing: For workers exposed above 85 dB(A), L108 recommends annual audiometry. For those at 80-85 dB(A), testing every two years is typically acceptable. Significant Threshold Shift (STS): If consecutive audiograms show a loss of 10 dB or more in either ear, this is a Significant Threshold Shift. When STS is detected, the employer must inform the worker, investigate the cause, retest to rule out temporary hearing loss, and consider additional measures. Why it matters for legal defence: If a worker develops noise-induced hearing loss and claims compensation, the employers response will centre on: Did we have a hearing conservation programme? Did we conduct health surveillance? If we detected hearing loss, did we respond? A comprehensive health surveillance programme provides powerful evidence of due diligence. Related: cnawr-health-records, documentation-defensibility, cnawr-health-surveillance.