Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine and respond to occupational noise risk, including the testing of individuals at risk and developing strategies for employers.
This unit applies to audiometrists working in an industrial context, who have a responsibility for promoting and managing good hearing health in the workplace.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Assess noise hazard risks | 1.1 Review features of the workplace that may impact on hearing loss 1.2 Assess the level of hearing conservation risk based on established indicators and parameters 1.3 Identify and access sources of specialist expertise required to measure for risk in the workplace as required |
2. Develop strategies for noise injury management | 2.1 Identify strategies to mitigate hearing conservation risks 2.2 Document strategies with clear recommendations 2.3 Communicate identified strategies to employers 2.4 Provide accurate and current information and resources about noise hazard management to organisations |
3. Conduct testing | 3.1 Prepare for and conduct hearing tests in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZ 1269 3.2 Take steps to maximise test accuracy, validity and reliability 3.3 Determine that test results are reliable 3.4 Conduct re-test, conduct further tests and/or refer client if test results are unreliable 3.5 Record results in accordance with requirements of AS/NZ 1269 3.6 Review and interpret results in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZ 1269 3.7 Communicate outcome of tests clearly and simply to the client 3.8 Clean and store equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ requirements and infection control procedures |
4. Identify those at risk of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) | 4.1 Conduct monitoring audiometry in accordance with AS/NZ 1269 4.2 Assess results against previous reference audiometry 4.3 Advise client of any risk identified using language the client understands 4.4 Advise employer of risks identified for the client 4.5 Provide information on strategies that assist in mitigating risk for NIHL 4.6 Make referral to appropriate agency |
5. Monitor and review strategies | 5.1 Evaluate success of workplace strategies based on results of testing 5.2 Adjust strategies and recommendations based on evaluation 5.3 Provide updated information to employers |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
assessed the occupational noise risk in at least 1 workplace and developed and communicated strategies to mitigate those risks
followed the requirements of AS/NZ 1269 to conduct testing on at least 10 different clients in an industrial context
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
contexts for testing for industrial hearing loss
types of client
work situations that lead to the need for industrial hearing tests
legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory) for conduct of hearing assessments:
duty of care
informed consent
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
work role boundaries, responsibilities and limitations:
boundaries of audiometrist role
generalist and specialist functions
relationship between audiometry and other health professionals
role of employers and other organisations
hearing conservation (protectors, environment, noise dosing)
indicators for referral
requirements of all sections of AS/NZ 1269
risk factors for occupational noise and strategies to mitigate those
sources of information on occupational noise risk
methods of testing for industrial hearing assessment:
monitoring assessment
reference assessments
manual/automated
noise level measurements
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
equipment that meets requirements of AS/NZ 1269
documentation that meets notation standards
modelling of industry operating conditions, including:
integration of problem solving activities
time constraints for completion of testing
provision of services to general public
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |