You must: • Make sure the health care professional supervising audiograms has:
– A copy of this chapter
– The baseline audiogram and most recent audiogram of the employee to be evaluated
– Background noise level records for the testing room
– Calibration records for the audiometer.
• Obtain an opinion from the health care professional supervising audiograms as to whether the audiograms indicate possible occupational hearing loss and any recommendations for changes in hearing protection
• Pay for any clinical audiological evaluation or otological examination required by the reviewer, if:
– Additional review is necessary to evaluate the cause of hearing loss
OR – If there is indication of a medical condition of the ear caused or aggravated by the wearing of hearing protectors.
• Inform the employee in writing of the existence of a standard threshold shift within twenty-one calendar days of the determination.
• Make arrangements for the reviewer to communicate to the employee any suspected medical conditions that are found unrelated to your workplace. This information is confidential and must be handled appropriately.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 03-11-060, § 296-817-40020, filed 5/19/03, effective 8/1/03.]