The reference for the QC system is BS6366 (Priced document from British
Standards Institute).

My experience of explaining the (lack of) value in non-booth audiometry, is
that customers want it done "properly".  The trick is to get the customer to
make the right decision by giving informed professional advice.

Good Occupational Health advice is the art of telling a customer something
they don't want to hear, but in a way that they have to listen and take
action. (please pardon all the puns on audiometry !)

Geoff Helliwell

-----Original Message-----
From: This list will be of interest to all practitioners of occupational
and envi [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of David Bannister
Sent: 19 April 2001 12:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Hearing tests


I too support Geoff Helliwell's argument for "properly" conducted
audiometric tests.

Whilst the reason for conducting them appears to be for risk management
purposes, not compliance, the need for accuracy is still great.
Pre-employment testing is presumably to establish a baseline from which
to assess any future hearing deterioration and make a judgement on
whether this may be noise at work related.  In the event of a civil
claim for damages for NIHL, any doubt about the accuracy of
pre-employment hearing ability testing could be very costly, with the
current employer picking up the tab for previous employer's negligence.

Hope this helps.
____________________
David S Bannister
Managing Consultant, Health & Safety Practice
Marsh UK Ltd
No 1 City Road East
Manchester
M15 4PN
Phone: (44-161) 954-7471
Fax: (44-161) 954-7459
Internet: [log in to unmask]
____________________