Workplace Noise Limits and Hearing Rules

Summary#

These are proposed changes called the Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Canada Labour Code (Sound Levels). Published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on March 21, 2026, the proposal would update federal workplace noise rules, lower some noise limits, and require hearing‑loss prevention programs and regular hearing tests. The government estimates costs of $280.1 million (present value over 10 years) and benefits of $903.2 million, for a net benefit of $623.1 million (PV).

What it does#

• Replaces the noise sections in five federal safety rules:
  • Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHSR),
  • On Board Trains Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (OTOHSR),
  • Regulations Respecting Occupational Safety and Health for Oil and Gas (OGOSHR),
  • Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (MOHSR),
  • Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (AOHSR).
• Lowers some workplace noise limits:
  • Drops the typical daily limit from 87 dBA (Lex,8) to 85 dBA (Lex,8) where it was higher.
  • Sets new crew‑accommodation limits on large ships and lowers sleeping‑quarters limits on some oil and gas sites to 60 dBA (Lex,8).
• Requires employers to create a hearing loss prevention program when they cannot meet the new limits. Required elements include:
  • routine noise detection and exposure control;
  • providing appropriate hearing protection and training;
  • audiometric testing (baseline within 6 months, then at least annually; may move to every 24 months in some low‑risk cases);
  • hazard communication and program monitoring.
• Lowers the level that triggers a workplace noise hazard investigation from the current triggers down to 82 dBA (Lex,8).
• Updates technical references so standards used for measuring and protecting hearing stay current (ambulatory references).

Note: this is a proposed rule (Part I). It is not law yet.

Who's affected#

• Workers and employers in federally regulated workplaces, including sectors such as:
  • air, rail, road and marine transportation; pipelines; banks; telecommunications and broadcasting; postal and courier services; grain and milling; and Crown corporations.
• The federal public service and workplaces run by First Nations band councils that fall under federal jurisdiction.
• The government estimates about 92,149 employees would be newly affected by the lowered daily limit and about 200,671 employees would be covered by hearing‑loss prevention programs on average over 2025–2034. An estimated 3,658 employers would be affected.
• Small businesses: about 3,300 small federally regulated businesses and roughly 29,000 of their employees would be affected (average over the 10‑year period).

If the Gazette text is unclear about specific workplaces or timelines, the summary notes that implementation details and the final legal text will matter.

Why it matters#

• Health: Lower limits and required audiometric testing aim to detect and prevent noise‑induced hearing loss and related health problems (tinnitus, stress, higher injury risk).
• Earlier detection: Mandatory hearing tests and record keeping (employee audiograms kept for 20 years) mean hearing changes are more likely to be noticed and acted on.
• Consistency: The changes bring federal rules closer to provincial rules and to common international practice for protecting worker hearing.
• Costs and benefits: The government’s analysis predicts the changes would cost $280.1 million (PV) over 10 years but produce $903.2 million in benefits, for a net benefit of $623.1 million (PV). Employers will face one‑time and ongoing compliance costs (programs, tests, training), while workers stand to gain most of the health and safety benefits.
• Timing: If adopted, the proposed regulations would come into force one year after they are registered.