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OccuFit changes testing protocol in age of COVID-19

Apr 30, 2020

EH&S Managers Onboard with New Mobile Hearing Test Protocol in an Effort to Demonstrate to OSHA a Good-faith Effort to Stay Compliant

Health and safety managers responsible for their company's hearing conservation program are working with OccuFit to execute a new protocol that keeps employees at a safe distance from each other while testing and ensures that testing equipment is sanitized. 

OccuFit's mobile audiometric (hearing)testing units vary in size and can test 4, 6, or 8 individuals per testing session, with each session lasting a maximum of 15 minutes. Each tester takes the hearing test in an individual sound booth, rather than with a group separated only by a small partition. OccuFit's testing procedures are as follows:

  • Each booth will be disinfected with a sprayer that creates a cloud coverage over all equipment in the individual sound booth.
  • Employees will enter the testing unit one at a time to give the OccuFit technician his or her history questionnaire.
  • The employee will be given a sanitizing wipe for themselves and for the hearing test equipment and booth. 
  • The employee will go to the designated sound booth and wipe down their own equipment. 
  • The process will continue until the testing unit is at half-capacity, with every other booth filled. Then the testing will begin. 
  • Booths will be alternated, for example in the 8-booth unit, the first round will use booths 1,3,5,& 7 and the next will be 2,4,6 & 8.
  • The booths not in use will be sprayed with the disinfectant solution between groups.  
  • At the completion of the testing session, employees will exit the booths one at a time and each will receive another sanitizing wipe as they exit.  
  • OccuFit technicians will wear masks and will self-administer temperature checks prior to their shift.
  • If desired, OccuFit technicians will administer temperature checks on everyone that enters the testing unit.  
EH&S managers agree that in the age of COVID-19, its a smart trade off to allow for slower testing procedures if it means employees will be safer from the spread of the virus. The protocol can be adjusted based on the customer's preference. 

On April 16, 2020 OSHA announced that all companies with a hearing conservation program must show a good-faith effort to stay compliant with OSHA regulations, including annual audiometric exams. This new protocol will create an environment where EH&S managers can do their jobs during this unprecedented time. 

COVID-19 Safety

21 Apr, 2023
OccuFit provides high-volume hearing tests AND keeps participants at a safe distance during COVID-19.

OccuFit Performing Hearing Tests and Keeping Employees at a Safe Distance

19 Nov, 2020
Because OccuFit utilizes individual sound booths in its testing units, up to 8 employees can be tested at one time without coming in close contact with each other. At full capacity, OccuFit can test over 400 employees per day and keep everyone at a safe distance, complying with CDC guidelines. To watch how this is done, click the link to watch the video .

National Hearing Conservation Association issues guidelines for conducting hearing tests during COVID-19

07 Jul, 2020
NHCA initiated a Task Force for developing guidance to safely conduct hearing testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intent of this document is to provide a “Best Practices” guidance to Hearing Testing Professionals to help minimize their risk of SARS CoV-2 infection through person-to-person spread within occupational health clinics, company in-house testing and mobile test environments. Among other topics such as PPE and screening, the document addresses social distancing on mobile testing units. It states the following: - Mobile unit testing multiple employees within a single test booth: a. Social distancing may not be possible but reducing the number of individuals tested at one time should be practiced i. Consider testing ≤ 50% of test booth capacity ii. Consider spacing employees in an alternate or zig-zag layout and not physically opposite each other iii. Dividers, curtains or protective screens are recommended between employees next to and opposite each other iv. Require employees to wear face cloth covering v. Monitor employees for coughing or sneezing vi. If any employee starts coughing or sneezing, all employees must be immediately removed, and the test area disinfected THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH OCCUFIT BECAUSE WE USE INDIVIDUAL SOUND BOOTHS WHICH ALLOWS FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING DURING THE ENTIRE TEST. This helpful document can be found here.
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