Ensuring the highest standards in occupational health and safety requires continuous training and recertification. For those involved in administering hearing or spirometry tests, maintaining up-to-date certifications is not just a recommendation but a cornerstone of ensuring consistent and accurate results.
The Importance of CAOHC Certification in Hearing Tests
While OSHA doesn’t mandate it, they strongly advocate for all professionals administering hearing tests within a hearing conservation program to be CAOHC certified occupational hearing conservationist. Such certification guarantees uniform training across your team, ensuring consistent testing results throughout your program.
Spirometry Testing and NIOSH Training
For spirometry, based on the specific environment or potential employee exposure, OSHA mandates that individuals administering these tests complete a NIOSH-approved spirometry training course. Such courses, directed by a course director, are also pivotal for healthcare professionals aiming to acquire the expertise necessary for accurate spirometry results.
e3 Occupational Health Solutions, in collaboration with our partners, offers over 70 NIOSH & CAOHC certification and re-certification courses annually. Designed for convenience, these courses are available across various locations, ensuring accessibility and affordability. For a comprehensive list of courses and registration details, START HERE.
CAOHC’s Role in Occupational Hearing Conservation
As per the Occupational Safety& Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulation 1910.95(g)(3), audiometric tests should be conducted by certified professionals. While a physician or Audiologist must oversee an audiometric testing program, a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC) plays a direct role in interacting with noise-exposed workers. COHCs are responsible for audiometric testing, fitting hearing protection, providing education, and ensuring compliance with the hearing conservation program (HCP) using hearing protection devices.
To achieve the COHC title, one must complete the course director 20-hour certification course approved by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) and clear the associated exam. Our training courses align with CAOHC’s standards, and successful participants are eligible for CAOHC certification.
NIOSH’s Spirometry Training for Occupational Medicine Course Overview
Our intensive two-day course (16 hours, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm) adheres to the latest nationally-recognized standards (ATS/ERS) for reliable spirometry in occupational health settings. The curriculum blends lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice with a range of spirometers in an interactive classroom setting. Successful participants receive a certificate valid for five years.
Target Audience
- Nurses
- Medical Assistants/Technicians
- Safety Personnel
- Other medical staff
- Professionals involved in spirometry screening
How to check Niosh Certification?
NIOSH, an acronym for the esteemed National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, plays an integral role in ensuring workplaces are safe and secure for diligent individuals like yourself. When it comes to utilizing respiratory protection equipment such as N95 masks, it is imperative to ascertain the presence of the NIOSH stamp of approval.
Determining whether a mask is NIOSH certified entails a straightforward process. Simply search for the NIOSH seal or logo on the packaging, which is usually printed or embossed on the respirator itself. This emblem signifies that the mask has undergone stringent testing, meeting the exacting standards mandated by NIOSH.
But that’s not all – NIOSH offers a comprehensive online resource known as the Certified Equipment List (CEL). By visiting the official NIOSH website, you gain access to this invaluable database. Enter the manufacturer’s details, model number, or even the NIOSH approval number, if available. The database will then furnish you with pertinent information pertaining to the certified respirator, encompassing details about the manufacturer, model, and technical specifications, including efficiency levels.
Therefore, whenever uncertain regarding the NIOSH certification of your chosen respirator, stay vigilant for the NIOSH seal on the packaging or the mask itself. For a more profound understanding and greater insights, visit the NIOSH website and explore their Certified Equipment List. Safeguard yourself out there, dear readers!
Upholding Occupational Health Standards
In the realm of occupational health and safety, the significance of continuous training and certification cannot be overstated. Ensuring that professionals are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills is paramount to guaranteeing the well-being of employees. Both hearing protection and spirometry tests play a crucial role in monitoring and safeguarding employee health.
By adhering to the guidelines set by esteemed organizations like OSHA, CAOHC, and NIOSH, we not only ensure the accuracy and reliability of these tests but also underscore our commitment to creating safer, healthier work environments for all.
