My understanding would suggest no. Hearing impariment requires exposure to high noise levels over an extended period of time? How long was operative exposed to 87dB+ ? While above the noise limits for NAW, its not by that much. Old NAW was 90dB If it was impulse noise, thats another matter Investigate why hearing protection failed, look for ways to reduce noise at source etc, if possible?

Jeez I meant 'mean' not 'man'. Wake up girl!! ;-)

The chance of long term hearing damage for a siongle 2 hour exposure to 97.5dB is very remote. Thousands experience this every weekend at Old Trafford, Emirates, St James's Park, Anfield, Celtic Park etc plus at every nighclub, concert venue up and down the land. In fact the previous Noise Regs only required PPE to be worn at 90dBA averaged over 8 hours (=4 hrs @ 93dBA, =2 hours @96dBA) so your colleagues exposure is not very much above what workers could be routinely exposed to every working day a few years ago. No specific health surveillance required due to this experience. However, if the normal working environment has a 97+dB noise level there is a pretty good argument for health surveillance of all those potentially exposed.