Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)RegulationsNoise Exposure Regulations, 2024Code of Practice for Audiometry13. Action Criteria and Reporting |
| 13.1 | The OHP must determine the— |
| (a) | audiometric zero and STS; and |
| (b) | PLH and PLH shift from baseline. |
| 13.2 | STS of 10 dB to less than 25 dB |
| 13.2.1 | Where a STS of 10 dB to less than 25 dB is reached, the OHP must— |
| (a) | determine the type of hearing loss, such as NIHL and/or other causes of hearing loss; |
| (b) | confirm whether the hearing loss is work-related; |
| (c) | stipulate the frequency of subsequent periodic audiometric tests; and |
| (d) | report the case to the OMP and employer. |
| 13.2.3 | The employer must— |
| (a) | conduct an investigation to determine— |
| (i) | the effectiveness of the hierarchy of controls with respect to engineering and administrative controls and HPDs; |
| (ii) | if additional control measures need to be implemented; and |
| (iii) | compliance with correct use of control measures; |
| (b) | ensure that the employee is retested in line with the stipulated frequency of periodic audiometric testing recommended by the OMP; |
| (c) | stipulate the frequency of the retraining of the employee in the use of and compliance with control measures implemented; |
| (d) | inform the health and safety committee and/or the health and safety representative; and |
| (e) | determine whether a review of the hearing conservation programme is warranted. |
| 13.3 | STS of 25 dB or more |
| 13.3.1 | Where a STS of 25 dB or more is reached, the OHP must ensure that the employee is referred— |
| (a) | to the OMP for further evaluation; and |
| (b) | for diagnostic audiology. |
| 13.3.2 | Where diagnostic audiology confirms a STS of 25 dB or more and is work-related, the OMP must— |
| (a) | issue a medical certificate of fitness that stipulates whether the employee is still fit to continue to work in a noise zone or not; and |
| (b) | report the STS to the Chief Inspector of the Department of Employment and Labour. |
| 13.4 | PLH shift of 10% or more |
| 13.4.1 | Where screening audiometry identifies a PLH shift of 10% or more from baseline or from previously compensated diagnostic PLH, the OHP must ensure that the employee is referred to the OMP for further case management. |
| 13.4.2 | The OMP must— |
| (a) | confirm if the hearing loss is noise induced and work-related; and |
| (b) | refer the employee for diagnostic audiology. |
| 13.5 | Confirmation of a PLH shift of 10% or more |
| 13.5.1 | Where diagnostic audiology confirms a PLH shift of 10% or more from baseline or from previously compensated diagnostic PLH, the OHP must ensure that the employee is referred to the OMP for further evaluation. |
| 13.5.2 | The OMP must— |
| (a) | confirm that the hearing loss pattern is commensurate with NIHL; |
| (b) | issue a medical certificate of fitness that stipulates whether the employeeis still fit to continue to work in a noise zone or not; |
| (c) | stipulate the frequency of subsequent periodic audiometric tests; and |
| (d) | report the case to— |
| (i) | the employer; and |
| (ii) | the Chief Inspector of the Department of Employment and Labour. |
| 13.5.3 | The employer must— |
| (a) | conduct an investigation to determine— |
| (i) | the effectiveness of the hierarchy of controls with respect to engineering and administrative controls and HPDs; |
| (ii) | if additional control measures need to be implemented; and |
| (b) | ensure that the employee is retested in line with the stipulated frequency of periodic audiometric testing recommended by the OMP; |
| (c) | stipulate the frequency of the retraining of the employee in the use of and compliance with control measures implemented; |
| (d) | inform the health and safety committee and/or the health and safety representative; |
| (e) | determine whether a review of the hearing conservation programme is warranted; and |
| (f) | report the case to the Compensation Commissioner. |
| 13.6 | Date of diagnosis of compensable NIHL |
| 13.6.1 | The date of diagnosis of compensable NIHL shall be the date on which the medical practitioner diagnosed the disease for the first time, based on a shift in PLH of 10% or more from— |
| (a) | baseline; or |
| (b) | previously compensated diagnostic PLH. |