New Hire Hearing Tests in BC: The 6-Month Deadline Employers Miss
Most employers know hearing tests are an annual job. Fewer realize that every new worker exposed to noise has a deadline of their own, and it does not line up with your annual testing day.
What the rule says
Section 7.8 of BC's Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requires a hearing test for each worker exposed above the noise exposure limits (85 dBA Lex or 140 dBC peak):
- As soon as practicable after employment starts, and no later than 6 months after the start date
- Then at least once every 12 months
The test has to be carried out by a tester authorized by WorkSafeBC, and the results are sent to WorkSafeBC.
Why the new-hire deadline gets missed
Picture a crew tested every October. Someone who starts in February reaches the 6-month mark in August, two months before the next testing day. Hire through spring and summer, and you can end up with a group of workers past their deadline without anyone noticing.
High turnover makes it harder still. Seasonal crews, labour from agencies and short-term project hires can come and go between testing days.
Why the first test matters
A worker's first hearing test is their baseline. WorkSafeBC compares later results against it to spot early signs of noise-induced hearing loss, and classifies results as No Notch, Early Warning or Abnormal. A baseline taken months late may already include hearing damage, which makes it harder to show where that damage came from.
How to stay on schedule
- Track start dates for everyone who works in noise above the limits, and flag the 6-month date when they're hired.
- Add a mid-year testing visit if you hire through the year, so new workers are caught well inside 6 months.
- Use one record for the whole crew. Clear Work clients get a client portal that shows who is up to date, who is due soon, and who still needs testing.
- Plan for short-term workers. WorkSafeBC expects a reasonably effective testing program for workers who may not stay 6 months, so build them into your schedule instead of assuming they'll be gone.
Testing new hires without disrupting the job
We bring a mobile hearing testing unit to your site, so new hires can be tested in about 10 minutes each without leaving work. We test on all shifts, including nights and weekends. Our minimum is 5 people per visit, so batching new hires with renewals or another site keeps it efficient.
Construction employers in classification units starting with 72 can be tested under WorkSafeBC's Construction Industry Program.
Want the full picture? Read what 85 dBA Lex means or what WorkSafeBC requires for workplace hearing testing.
Learn about our mobile hearing testing or request a quote.
This guide is a summary for general information, not legal advice. Check Part 7 of the OHS Regulation for the exact wording.
