IF you are performing an audio, you will need to be performing it against policy on what is deemed safe, similar to the “personal track safety certificate” guidance in the train industry.
If no policy and a poor audiometric result, you are still left with the need to perform a practical assessment as the individual will no doubt state they can do the job safely.
Therefore, why not document can or cant hear normal conversation ( as per Tracey's guidance below), and if individual cant hear normal conversation, recommend practical RA.
David
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Jeannette Lount
Sent: 20 January 2010 17:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH]
[OCC-HEALTH) Fork Lift medicals
Hi Tracey
There's a
link to the HSE Guide to Safety in working with Lift Trucks which should sort
out the disagreement once and for all!
My
understanding is that there is no legal requirement to do any medical at all.
However, via risk assessment the need should ideally be demonstrated and it is
considered poor practice not to do anything. So, whilst not technically legal
the HSE would take a very dim view of a company who hadn't taken the necessary
steps to ensure safety of employees where lift trucks are involved, including
appropriate medical assessments.
Hearing is
tested to ascertain safety i.e. can the employee hear warning sirens or someone
calling to them etc etc. and so is health screening rather than health
surveillance. Therefore, you may be satisfied with them if they are able to hear
normal speech. Audiometric testing will give a far better picture but isn't a
legal requirement - unless of course they are exposed to noise to a sufficient
degree (which often they are working in factory environments). This calls into
mind the case of truck drivers, exposed to noise, wearing ear-defenders so
reducing their chance of hearing aforementioned sirens or someone that yelling
that they are about the be run over!!
Therefore,
short answer. No legal requirement to test hearing. Best practice is an audio as
part of a full medical (details in the book linked above). Somewhere in between
is simple personal assessment of their hearing.
My first post
on here - don't be too harsh with me!
Jeannette
Lount
Occupational
Health Consultant
Occupational
Healthwise Ltd
From: [log in to unmask]">Tracey Moore
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 5:22 PM
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] [OCC-HEALTH) Fork Lift medicals
Hi
When carrying out fork lift drivers medicals, does an audio have to be carried
out, or is it acceptable that as long as the employee can hear normal speech
they are fit. I have been having a discussionss with my colleagues regarding
this topic and there seems to be a difference in opinion and what is legally
required and best pratice.
Your thoughts are would be apprecaited
tracey
I
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