This 2.5-day program provides a pathway for existing WorkCover WA Approved Audiometric Officers (AAO) to achieve compliance with the audiometric surveillance/monitoring protocols specified in WHS regulation 58 and key reference documents. Students will gain a clear understanding of how to conduct audiometric surveillance as well as the key differences to WA’s long-standing WorkCover WA requirements.
Upcoming Dates
Description
In a major change for WA audiometric testing, the regulation 58 legislation is focused on surveillance (or monitoring) audiometry. Essentially, this means conducting periodic hearing tests and checking for changes (shifts) in hearing from the reference (first test with the current employer). A new Code of Practice and other documents, specify how to conduct surveillance tests.
Compared to the long-standing WorkCover WA requirements, the new law and key reference documents introduce very different processes, protocols and the way results are managed.
- Are your audiometry services and advice compliant with WA’s new law?
- Can you accurately analyse results and compare with a baseline/reference?
- Do your testing procedures align with the best practice specifications of the new legislation?
This workshop answers these questions and many more. The content is suitable for audiometric testers, health services managers, health and safety personnel and anyone else with an interest in delivering legislation-compliant audiometric services in WA.
This 2.5 day workshop is open to WorkCover WA Approved Audiometric Officers, who were registered with WorkCover WA at 31 March 2024.
This 2.5-day program runs as follows:
- Day 1 12:30pm – 4:30pm (all participants)
- Day 2 8:30am – 4:30pm (all participants)
- Day 3 8:30am – 4:00pm (Certificate of Competence only)
Note: We can also present in-company for organisations with a small group of personnel requiring training. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
A Certificate of Competence is offered to current audiometric testers.
To achieve the certificate, attendees must successfully complete:
(1) an open book written assessment, and
(2) demonstrate competence in practical skills (including audiometry, otoscopy, audiogram description).
Participants on this course will receive comprehensive training in a range of topics relevant to audiometric testing under the new legislation, including:
- Audiometric surveillance basics and terminology
- Noise and other hazards that cause hearing loss
- New audiometry legislation and requirements in WA
- Relevant Australian Standard and Code of Practice
- Principles and aims of measuring “hearing shift”
- AS/NZS1269.4 and OSHA hearing shift protocols
- Company requirements following identification of hearing shift
- AS/NZS 1269.4 and OSHA hearing shift protocols
- Latest advice from government (including DEMIRS)
- Hearing protection: types, limitations and requirements of audiometric testers
- Hands-on audiogram comparison exercises
- Extended Waugh and Macrae (NAL80) criteria
- WorkCover WA vs surveillance: what’s the difference?
- Revised case history questions
- Software to assist with managing a surveillance program and audiogram comparison
- Review of best practice testing techniques
- Question/answer and discussion sessions
The skills and knowledge obtained through this workshop will enable existing audiometric testers to achieve compliance with:
- WA Work Health and Safety regulation 58 Audiometric testing
- Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work
- Australian Standard AS/NZS1269.4 Auditory assessment