Topic: Standard Threshold Shift (STS) and Recording on the MIOSHA 300 Log
Questions: If an employee is included in an employer’s hearing conservation program, and the employee’s audiogram results indicate that a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) has occurred:
(1) What happens if the employerdoes not obtain a retest within 30days?
(2)Is the STS from the original audiogram automatically MIOSHA recordable?
(3)Can the repeat audiogram performed after 30days be used for recording purposes if the STS is not confirmed by the repeat audiogram?
Answers: (1)If the annual audiogram shows that the employee has suffered a STS, the employer may obtain a retest within 30 days and consider the results of the retest as the annual audiogram. If the employer does not obtain a retest within 30 days, then the results of the annual audiogram must be used to decide the follow-up procedures required by the MIOSHA noise regulation, Part 380, “Occupational Noise Exposure” [Reference:R 325.60115(2) of Part 380].
(2)The employer does not have to record the STS on the MIOSHA 300 Log, if the employer is going to retest the employee’s hearing. If the employer retests the employee’s hearing within 30 days of the first test, and the retest does not confirm the recordable STS, then the employer is not required to record the STS. If the retest confirms the recordable STS, then the employer must record the STS within seven calendar days of the retest[Reference: R 408.22115(2)(d) of MIOSHA regulation Part 11, “Recording and Reporting of Occupational Injuries”].
(3)The employer must record the STS on the MIOSHA 300 Log, if the employer is not going to retest the employee’s hearing within 30 days of the first test. A repeat audiogram performed after 30 days cannot be used to determine whether or not a STS is recordable even if the repeat audiogram does not confirm the STS. However, the employer is allowed to erase or line-out the recorded entry, if subsequent (after 30 days) audiometric testing of an employeeWHOSE NOISE EXPOSURE IS LESS THAN THE PERMISSIBLE 8-HOUR, TIME-WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF 90 DECIBELS indicates that a STS is not persistent[References: R 408.22115(2)(d) of Part 380 and R 408.22115(2)(d) of Part 11].
Applicable Construction Safety Standard/Rule: N/A
Applicable General Industry Safety Standard/Rule: Part 11. “Recording and Reporting of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses”
Applicable Occupational Health Standard/Rule: Part 380. “Occupational Noise Exposure”
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Date Posted: January 30, 2008 /