Important:

Third-party hearing loss prevention programs are intended:

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

2. (2) For seasonal employees.

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

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

   1. (a) Equivalent to an employer program as required by this chapter; and
   2. (b) Uses audiometric testing to evaluate hearing loss.
4. (2) You must make sure a licensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, or other qualified physician administers the third-party program.

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

   1. (a) Communicating with participating employers of program requirements;
   2. (b) Follow-up procedures for detected hearing loss;
   3. (c) Annual review of participating employer programs.

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

   1. (a) Noise exposures;
   2. (b) Hearing protection;
   3. (c) Employee training;
   4. (d) Noise controls.

7. (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:

   1. (a) Identify any tasks needing a revised selection of hearing protection; and
   2. (b) Provide an overall assessment of the employers' hearing loss prevention activities.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050. WSR 15-23-086, § 296-817-50025, filed 11/17/15, effective 12/18/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 03-11-060, § 296-817-50025, filed 5/19/03, effective 8/1/03.]