I'm working with a client who has undertaken a noise level assessment in a manufacuring facility and implemented appropriate hearing protection and monitoring for the affected employees; as well as appointing an audiology specialist.

The client is concerned that if an employee exposes themselves to high noise levels outside the workplace and that has a detrimental effect on their hearing, how should the company deal with this. 

Do any members have any suggestions ?

Other than ensuring on-going monitoring and the correct use of hearing protection (too often I see plugs balanced in ears to give the impression of conformance rather than correctly inserted in accordance with manufacturer instruction) your client could seek to reduce or eliminate the source of noise in the work place.

Suitably commenced the monitoring questionnaire should have identified out of work activity with high noise levels - motor sports, shooting, concert going etc. - with a note of recommendation to use hearing protection in the leisure environment. The test will provide a base level (better if conducted pre-employment) against which any deterioration can be determined.

Even this omits known environmental exposures - hammer drills and road repair equipment, jet engines at the airport, the screaming child in the next seat

There are 168 hours in a week of which most employers get to control @ 40

Hello

Just read this and noticed something the poster says: “I'm working with a client who has undertaken a noise level assessment in a manufacturing facility and implemented appropriate hearing protection and monitoring for the affected employees; as well as appointing an audiology specialist.” So, instead of reducing the level of workplace noise exposure  they went straight to hearing protection, which means if the hearing protection is not being worn properly or is inadequate then it is possible for employees to be exposed at work that could cause hearing loss. Ideally the employer should be looking to reduce the overall noise levels in the workplace so that they can say any hearing loss is due to this person playing base in a Motorhead tribute act and not work related. That’s where the idea of noise questionnaire including non work activities would be useful. Of course people might lie and if they can’t control noise levels at work then have to strictly enforce hearing protection use and be able to evidence that if someone makes a claim.