What is workplace noise and what does the law say?
In the workplace, NIHL (Noise Induced Hearing Loss) is a very expensive compensable issue.  It is an insidious disease which cannot be reversed and can extend to almost every part of an affected persons life. Noise can come from machinery, truck cabins, loud radios, etc, and can be in the form of continuous loud volume or individual loud bangs.

The aim of the Noise laws is to ensure that workers' hearing is protected from excessive noise at their place of work, which could cause them to lose their hearing and/or to suffer from tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears).

To protect workers from NIHL in Australia, each state and territory has in place laws outlining control measures. If you are an employer with a noisy workplace these measures are to be put into practice at your business.  Hearing protection is the least preferred form of control as it only protects one person; whereas a reduction in machinery noise, like relocating a compressor outdoors, protects everybody.

The control measures are to ensure that no employee is exposed to average noise levels in excess of 85 decibels (85dBA) over an 8 hour day. Also, there is a maximum noise level of 140 decibels (140dBC) which cannot be exceeded at any time. The law says that where exposure to these limits occurs you need to implement noise control measures.

If you provide hearing protection, or your noise limits exceed the above levels, you need to provide audiometric testing for your workers to assess if hearing loss has occurred. In addition, you will need to provide training and supervision, and may need a noise assessment conducted on your workplace.    

How do I know if I have a noisy workplace?
As a rule, if your employees need to wear hearing protection due to workplace noise or people have to shout to be heard you probably have a noisy workplace and need to get it assessed.

Yes. It could be cheaper in the long term to engage an external consultant from our Business Directory to provide you with the right advice so you can get it right first time.  You may also need training and purchase hearing protection devices and/or equipment.

Is there any free guidance material I can read on Noise?

Click on the link below for useful information?

Australian Capital Territory
www.ors.act.gov.au