PDFWAC 296-307-63805

Conduct hearing protection audits at least quarterly.

(1) The employer must conduct audits at least quarterly to provide a representative assessment of the workplace.
(a) The assessment is representative if it:
(i) Covers all processes and work activities in the employer's business at full production levels;
and
(ii) Covers all employees present on the audit day.
(b) If the business is mobile or involves variable processes, auditing may need to be repeated more often than quarterly;
(c) Auditing does not need to be repeated more than monthly as long as a reasonable effort is made to cover:
(i) The activities with greatest exposure;
and
(ii) As many employees as possible.
(2) The employer must assess exposures and hearing protection for the full shift for each employee covered at the time of the audit.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 20-21-091, § 296-307-63805, filed 10/20/20, effective 11/20/20; WSR 05-01-166, § 296-307-63805, filed 12/21/04, effective 4/2/05.]