Important:

Third-party hearing loss prevention programs are intended:

(1) For short-term employees hired or assigned to duties having noise exposures for less than one year; and

(2) For seasonal employees.

However, other employees may be included as long as you meet all requirements for hearing loss follow-ups and recordkeeping.

(1) You must make sure that the third-party program is:

(a) Equivalent to an employer program as required by this chapter; and

(b) Uses audiometric testing to evaluate hearing loss.

(2) You must make sure a licensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, or other qualified physician administers the third-party program.

(3) You must make sure the third-party program has written procedures for:

(a) Communicating with participating employers of program requirements;

(b) Follow-up procedures for detected hearing loss;

(4) You must make sure the following program elements are corrected by you or the third-party program when deficiencies are found:

(a) Noise exposures;

(b) Hearing protection;

(d) Noise controls.

(5) You must obtain a review of your hearing loss prevention program at least once per year, conducted by the third-party program administrator or their representative, in order to:

(a) Identify any tasks needing a revised selection of hearing protection; and

(b) Provide an overall assessment of the employers' hearing loss prevention activities.

PDFWAC 296-817-50025

Make sure third-party hearing loss prevention programs meet the following requirements.