J23 Noise and Hearing Conservation

Law. Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Part 7 Division 1 (ss. 7.1-7.10) (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation [BC], 2026, ss. 7.1-7.10).

What must be covered.

• Limits. No worker exposed above 85 dBA Lex daily noise exposure or 140 dBC peak (s. 7.2). Terms and measurements follow CSA Z107.56-94 and ANSI S1.25-1991, as amended (s. 7.1(2)); the Lex basis is an equal-energy average, which means a 3 dB exchange rate, although the regulation does not say so in words.
• Measurement. Required where a worker may be exposed to potentially harmful noise or above 82 dBA Lex (s. 7.3(1)).
• Program. Where noise exceeds either limit, a noise control and hearing conservation program with measurement, education and training, engineered noise control, hearing protection, posting of noise hazard areas, hearing tests and an annual program review (s. 7.5), with engineered controls (s. 7.6) and hearing protection where controls cannot reduce exposure (s. 7.7).
• Hearing tests. For workers exposed above the limits, an initial test as soon as practicable and no later than six months after employment starts, then at least once every 12 months, by a hearing tester authorized by WorkSafeBC, who sends the results to the Board (s. 7.8).
• Records. Annual test results kept as long as the worker is employed and kept confidential, with education and training records (s. 7.9).

Fire-service nuance.

• British Columbia is one of four jurisdictions that require annual retests (with Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and Yukon). Volunteer and paid-on-call firefighters are workers, so the duty covers them.
• Part 31 requires the fire department’s apparatus and tools to be inspected and maintained, which supports keeping mufflers and pump enclosures in good order (see J15 Equipment Inspection, Ladders and Aerial Devices).

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (regulation consolidated to 2026-10-20).

Law. Occupational Health and Safety Code, Part 16 (ss. 217-223) and Schedule 3 (Occupational Health and Safety Code [AB], 2025, ss. 218-223, Sch. 3).

What must be covered.

• Limits and exchange rate. 85 dBA Lex (s. 218), with the Schedule 3 table of 85 dBA for 8 hours, 88 dBA for 4, 91 dBA for 2 and no exposure at 115 dBA or more, which is a 3 dB exchange rate (Sch. 3, Table 1; s. 219(2)(a)(i)).
• Assessment. A noise exposure assessment where exposure may exceed 82 dBA Lex, to CSA Z107.56-18 (s. 219), with records kept three years (s. 220).
• Program. A noise management program where workers are exposed above the limits, reviewed annually, and signs where levels exceed 85 dBA (s. 221).
• Hearing protection. Protectors to CSA Z94.2-14 (R2019), fitted to the worker (s. 222).
• Audiometric tests. A baseline within six months of the start of exposure, a second test within 12 months of the baseline, then at least every second year; notice to the worker of a significant threshold shift within 30 days (s. 223(1), (4)-(5)).

Fire-service nuance.

• Volunteers are workers under the Act, so they are entitled to the same tests; a composite department needs one testing schedule for all members.

Status. Verified against the Code consolidated to 2025-03-31 (read through the research, 2026-10-23).

Law. Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, Part 8 (ss. 8-1 to 8-6) (The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 [SK], 2021, ss. 8-3 to 8-6). Measurement follows CSA Z107.56-18 (R2022) under the approved standards and practices (Government of Saskatchewan, n.d.-a).

What must be covered.

• Measurement. Where noise may frequently exceed 80 dBA (s. 8-3).
• 80 to 85 dBA Lex. Information about the hazard and hearing protectors on request (s. 8-4).
• Limit. At 85 dBA Lex, reduce exposure and document the steps (s. 8-5(1)).
• Above the limit. Where exposure cannot be kept below 85 dBA Lex or an area below 90 dBA, hearing protectors to CSA Z94.2-14 (R2024) and an audiometric test with counselling at least once every 24 months, on paid time (s. 8-5(3)-(5)). The regulation does not set a separate baseline test.
• Plan. A written hearing conservation plan where 10 or more workers exceed 85 dBA Lex, reviewed every three years (s. 8-6).
• Exchange rate. Not stated; “dBA Lex” is an energy-averaged eight-hour level, which implies 3 dB.

Fire-service nuance.

• Unpaid volunteers are workers only for the harassment and violence duties, so the testing duty attaches to paid members (see J11 Volunteer Firefighters); test every member by policy.

Status. Partly verified: Part 8 read through the research (consolidated to 2021-04-01). The exchange rate and baseline are not stated in the text.

Law. Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 12 (ss. 12.1-12.6) (Workplace Safety and Health Regulation [MB], 2026, ss. 1.1, 12.2-12.6).

What must be covered.

• Limit and exchange rate. 85 dBA Lex (s. 12.4), with “Lex” defined on a 3 dB exchange rate (s. 1.1).
• Assessment. A noise exposure assessment to CAN/CSA Z107.56-13, and a posted report, where exposure may exceed 80 dBA (s. 12.2); protectors on request between 80 and 85 dBA (s. 12.3).
• Above the limit. Controls, hearing protectors to CAN/CSA Z94.2-14, training, and audiometric tests: a baseline within six months of first exposure above 85 dBA Lex and at least every two years after (s. 12.4(2)(c)).
• Records and reporting. Test records kept 10 years (s. 12.5(2)(c)); every two years, a report to the physician or audiologist, the committee and the director within 30 days (s. 12.6).

Fire-service nuance.

• Volunteers are workers by interpretation, so the testing duty covers them.

Status. Verified against the regulation current to 2026-10-20.

Law. Noise, O. Reg. 381/15 (Noise [ON], 2026, ss. 1-4).

What must be covered.

• Limit and exchange rate. No worker exposed above an equivalent sound exposure level of 85 dBA, Lex,8 (s. 2(4)), defined on an equal-energy basis, which is a 3 dB exchange rate (s. 1(2)-(3)).
• Hierarchy. All measures reasonably necessary, with engineering controls and work practices first (s. 2(1)-(2), (5)); measurements are taken without regard to hearing protectors (s. 2(3)).
• Hearing protection. Workers wear hearing protectors where engineering controls do not exist or are not obtainable, are not reasonable or practical, have broken down, or “are ineffective to prevent, control or limit exposure because of an emergency” (s. 2(6)).
• Signs and training. Signs at every approach to an area that regularly exceeds 85 dBA (s. 2(7)); training in care, use, fit, limits and maintenance of hearing protectors (s. 3); protectors selected for the sound level and attenuation (s. 4).
• Audiometry. None required.

Fire-service nuance.

• The emergency clause in s. 2(6)(d) supports hearing protection on the fireground and at extrications; it does not excuse engineering controls in the station or on apparatus.
• Section 21 guidance note 4-10 covers hearing protection (MLITSD, n.d.); adopt baseline and periodic audiometry through the medical program by policy.

Status. Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (no amendments).

Law. Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, Division XV (noise, ss. 130-141) (Regulation respecting occupational health and safety [QC], 2026, ss. 131-141).

What must be covered.

• Limits. A daily noise exposure level of 85 dBA, determined under ISO 9612:2009 or CSA Z107.56-13, and a peak of 140 dBC (s. 131).
• Exchange rate. 3 dB: 85 dBA for 8 hours, 88 dBA for 4, 91 dBA for 2, in the s. 137 table used to reduce daily exposure (s. 137).
• Reduction at source. Noise reduction at design or on change (s. 132); evaluation every five years of each workplace situation that exceeds the limits (s. 133); identification within 30 days of any change that risks exceeding them (s. 134); reduction at source by replacement, maintenance or correction of equipment (s. 135).
• Measurement and protectors. Measurement by a trained professional or technician where no reasonable means can be implemented (ss. 138-140); hearing protectors to CSA Z94.2-2014 (s. 141).
• Audiometry. No requirement in the regulation; hearing loss claims are handled under the compensation statute.

Fire-service nuance.

• The five-year evaluation suits apparatus and tool replacement cycles; build noise specifications into procurement.

Status. Verified against the regulation consolidated to 2026-07-01 (read 2026-10-23).

Law. General Regulation 91-191, Part V (ss. 29-33.1, revised by N.B. Reg. 2024-38) and s. 48 (General Regulation: Occupational Health and Safety Act [NB], 2026, ss. 29-33.1, 48).

What must be covered.

• Measurement. Where noise may exceed 80 dBA, a competent person measures it to CSA Z107.56-06 (R2011) (s. 29).
• Code of practice. A hearing conservation code of practice where the limits are exceeded, reviewed annually (s. 29.1).
• Limits and exchange rate. 85 dBA for eight hours on a 3 dB exchange rate, from 80 dBA for 24 hours to 100 dBA for 15 minutes, with a 140 dB peak (s. 30(1), (3)); signs above 85 dBA (s. 33); protectors to CSA Z94.2-14 (R2019) (s. 48).
• Audiometric tests. Within six months of starting work and at least every 24 months after, by a registered audiologist or a person trained to CSA Z107.6:16 (R2020) (s. 29.2), with results kept for the duration of employment and confidential (s. 29.3).

Fire-service nuance.

• “Except for a firefighter operating a structural fire-fighting apparatus, this Part does not apply where a firefighter is engaged in structural fire-fighting” (s. 33.1(1)). The pump operator stays covered; the rest of the crew is outside Part V only while engaged in structural firefighting, and fully inside it for training, other calls and station work.

Status. Verified against the regulation consolidated to 2026-06-30.

Law. Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, Part 2 (ss. 2.1-2.3) (Workplace Health and Safety Regulations [NS], 2025, ss. 2.1-2.3). There is no stand-alone noise regulation.

What must be covered.

• Limit. The employer must comply with the ACGIH threshold limit values for physical agents, which include agents “of acoustic … nature” (ss. 2.1, 2.3), in the latest edition. The ACGIH noise TLV is 85 dBA for eight hours on a 3 dB exchange rate.
• Audiometry. No audiometric testing requirement (the consolidation was searched; CCOHS, n.d.-a).
• Hearing protection. Required through the TLV and the general PPE duty rather than a named CSA Z94.2 rule.

Fire-service nuance.

• Without a statutory baseline, hearing loss claims at retirement often have nothing to compare against; adopt a baseline and periodic test through the medical program (NFPA 1580, 2025).
• The latest-edition rule means any ACGIH change to the noise TLV becomes law on publication.

Status. Partly verified: Part 2 read on 2026-10-23 (consolidated to N.S. Reg. 163/2025); the TLV values come from ACGIH, not the regulation.

Law. General Regulations, Part 8 (ss. 8.1-8.10) (Occupational Health and Safety Act General Regulations [PE], 2025, ss. 8.3-8.10).

What must be covered.

• Limits and exchange rate. 85 dBA for eight hours on a 3 dB exchange rate, from 80 dBA for 24 hours to 115 dBA with no permitted time (s. 8.3).
• Measurement. To CSA Z107.56-18 (s. 8.4).
• Above the limit. Engineered controls, a hearing conservation program reviewed annually, posted noise hazard areas and protectors to CSA Z94.2-14 (ss. 8.6-8.8).
• Audiometric tests. Within six months of starting work and at least every 12 months after, by an audiologist or a person certified in audiometric testing, at the employer’s cost, with results kept for the duration of employment (ss. 8.9-8.10).

Fire-service nuance.

• PEI has no fire-service OHS Part, so the general rules apply in full to stations, apparatus and incidents.

Status. Verified against the regulations consolidated to 2025-01-01.

Law. Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, s. 68 (Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012 [NL], 2026, s. 68).

What must be covered.

• Limit. Where noise exceeds the permissible exposure in the ACGIH noise TLVs, the employer first reduces it, and where that is not practicable workers wear hearing protectors to CSA Z94.2 (s. 68(1)). The ACGIH TLV is 85 dBA for eight hours on a 3 dB exchange rate.
• Hearing conservation program. A noise survey to CSA Z107.56; hearing tests for every worker exposed above the permissible levels “on an annual basis” or as an audiologist or occupational physician recommends; a test within three months of starting for each new exposed worker; mandatory training (s. 68(2)-(3)).
• Records and signs. Program records kept while the worker remains employed (s. 68(4)); signs at areas above the threshold (s. 68(5)).

Fire-service nuance.

• The three-month baseline is the shortest in Canada; build it into recruit onboarding.

Status. Verified against the regulations consolidated to NLR 48/26 (read 2026-10-23).

Law. Workplace Health Regulations, ss. 4-6 (noise control); Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, s. 11.06 (Workplace Health Regulations [YT], 2026, ss. 4-6; Workplace Health and Safety Regulations [YT], 2022, s. 11.06(5)).

What must be covered.

• Limits and exchange rate. 85 dBA for eight hours on a 3 dB exchange rate: 88 dBA for 4 hours, 91 for 2, 94 for 1, 97 for half an hour, 100 for a quarter hour, and nothing over 103 dBA; impact noise from 118 dB peak for 14,400 impacts down to 140 dB for 90 (s. 4).
• Controls. Engineering controls first, then hearing protection and signs.
• Audiometric tests. For workers routinely exposed above 80 dBA over eight hours: a test within six months of hire, annual tests after, follow-up after unusual exposure, by a physician, audiologist or certified technician, with results to the Board; records kept for the length of employment; referral within 30 days when a threshold shift is found.
• Firefighters. Hearing protection is part of the Part 11 protective equipment (s. 11.06(5)).

Fire-service nuance.

• The 80 dBA audiometry trigger is lower than most jurisdictions; most structural firefighters will meet it.

Status. Partly verified: read through the research from the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Board rendering; the section numbers for testing within ss. 4-6 are not confirmed.

Law. Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part 8 (ss. 111-117) (Occupational Health and Safety Regulations [NT], 2024, ss. 111-117).

What must be covered.

• Measurement. Where noise could frequently exceed 80 dBA, measurement by an approved method, evaluation by a competent individual with the committee, and records kept as long as the employer operates in the territory; areas above 80 dBA marked by signs (s. 114).
• 80 to 85 dBA Lex. Information, protectors on request and training (s. 115).
• Above 85 dBA Lex. An OHS program, information, all reasonably possible noise reduction, with written reasons if exposure cannot be brought below 85 dBA Lex (s. 116(1)-(2)).
• Audiometric tests. Where exposure cannot be brought below 85 dBA Lex or an area below 90 dBA: approved protectors, training, and an audiometric test with counselling at least once every 24 months on working time, with costs reimbursed (s. 116(3)-(5)).
• Plan. A written hearing conservation plan where 20 or more workers exceed 85 dBA Lex, reviewed at least every three years (s. 117).
• Exchange rate. Not stated; “dBA Lex” is an eight-hour equivalent (s. 111).

Fire-service nuance.

• Volunteers are workers under the Safety Act, so testing applies to them.

Status. Verified against the regulations consolidated to 2024-09-26 (read 2026-10-23).

Law. Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part 8 (ss. 111-117), the same in substance and numbering as the Northwest Territories (Occupational Health and Safety Regulations [NU], 2021, ss. 111-117).

What must be covered.

• Limit and tests. 85 dBA Lex; protectors, training and an audiometric test at least once every 24 months where exposure cannot be brought below 85 dBA Lex or an area below 90 dBA (s. 116); a hearing conservation plan where 20 or more workers are exposed (s. 117).

Fire-service nuance.

• Arranging audiometry in remote communities takes planning; schedule tests with medical travel or visiting clinics.

Status. Partly verified: checked against the Nunavut text through the research (consolidated to 2021-09-28).

Law. Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Part VII (ss. 7.1-7.8) (Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations [CA], 2026, ss. 7.2-7.8).

What must be covered.

• Limit and exchange rate. Lex,8 must not exceed 87 dBA (s. 7.4), with the schedule allowing 87 dBA for 8 hours, 90 dBA for 4 and 96 dBA for 1, a 3 dB exchange rate.
• Investigation. Where an employee may be exposed at or above 84 dBA for a duration likely to endanger hearing, an investigation by a qualified person, with a written report kept 10 years (s. 7.3).
• Controls and protectors. Engineering controls first (s. 7.5); if protectors are needed, a report to the Head (s. 7.6) and protectors to CSA Z94.2 with a fit, care and use program (s. 7.7); signs above 87 dBA (s. 7.8).
• Audiometry. No requirement in the regulations (searched).

Fire-service nuance.

• Airport and Department of National Defence fire services use the 87 dBA limit; their medical programs should still include baseline and periodic audiometry.

Status. Verified against the regulations consolidated to 2026-09-30 (read 2026-10-23).