WorkSafe Tasmania

WorkSafe Tasmania

Safe and well every day

Noise

Noise injury or hearing loss can happen after years of being exposed to noise, or be caused by a one-off incident.

Noise-induced hearing loss is largely preventable. A noisy workplace doesn’t have to be ‘part of the job’. In many workplaces you can remove or reduce the noise — and therefore the risk of noise injury.

The risk of noise-related injury increases depending on how loud the noise is and how long the worker is exposed to it.

Who is at risk of noise-related injury?

Noise-related injuries include labourers and machinery operators in the manufacturing industry, particularly those in metal processing; fire and emergency workers; stationery plant operators; factory process workers; secondary school teachers; various tradespeople; and commercial divers.

Responsibilities

As the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you must do all you can to reduce the risk of noise-related injury in your workplace, including:

  • identifying noise hazards
  • doing noise assessments
  • doing risk assessments of exposure
  • using suitable control measures (and working with workers and health and safety representatives on these)
  • providing personal protective equipment to workers, and
  • testing noise levels and providing audiometric testing for workers who must frequently wear personal hearing protection for their work
  • instructing workers on the hazard.

Other steps include working with designers of workshops/work environments and manufacturers of equipment.

The code of practice Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work guides you on how to do this. It also has a tool called a ‘noise ready reckoner’ to calculate workers’ exposure to noise.

Managing noise risks

The best way to control noise risks is to eliminate the noise completely. If you can’t do that, you should (in this order):

  • change equipment to reduce noise
  • put barriers between noise sources and workers
  • limit the time a worker spends near a noise source
  • add distance between noisy equipment and workers
  • use personal protective equipment, like earmuffs or earplugs.

Ways to keep noise levels low

  • Buy the quietest machinery or equipment for the job. Check the noise level with the manufacturer or supplier before you buy.
  • Change the way you do the job. For example, glue don’t hammer, weld don’t rivet, lower don’t drop.
  • Reduce noise levels at the source. For example, fit silencers to exhausts, turn down the volume, change fan speeds.
  • Isolate the source of the noise. For example, move the noise source, use barriers, remote controls or sound-proof covers to create distance between you and the noise source
  • Reduce exposure levels. For example, restrict access to noisy areas, provide quiet areas for rest breaks, or limit time spent in noisy areas by rotating tasks.
  • Make sure equipment and tools are properly maintained, as this can result in lower noise levels.

Infrasonics

Infrasonic or infrasound waves refer to sound waves that are lower than what a human ear can detect.

  • Workers in mining, mineral exploration, oil and gas exploration can be exposed to infrasonic noise through ground penetrating sound waves to locate and quantify reserves and lodes.
  • Workers in aviation are exposed to infrasonic noise from jet engines starting, with several studies recognising the effects on health.
  • Machinery such as wind turbines, equipment such as loud speakers, and even pipe organs can produce infrasonic noise.

Infrasound waves can have an effect on human health and wellbeing. For control measures, see the manufacturer’s or industry recommendations.

Resources

Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work code of practice

Last updated: 31 July 2023
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