Noise Hazards in the Workplace
Managing Noise Hazards: How To Protect Yourself and Your Employees from Workplace Hearing Loss
Published by James Aldridge (CEO) Assist Group
Noise hazards in the workplace can be a serious issue. Uncontrolled noise can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, fatigue, stress, and other negative health effects. It is important that you take steps to protect yourself and your team members from potential noise hazards.
In this article, we discuss some of the ways employers can reduce noise hazards in their workplaces and protect their workforce from harm.
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What are Noise Hazards?
Both sudden, loud noises, like an explosion, and constant, loud noise, like working near industrial machinery, can damage your hearing.
Noise hazards contribute to hearing loss
Hazardous noise affects the functioning of the inner ear, which may cause temporary hearing loss. If the noise is eliminated, hearing may be restored. However, with continual exposure to hazardous noise, the ear will gradually lose its ability to recover, leading to permanent hearing loss.
It is important for you to identify and address any noise hazards in the workplace in order to protect your employees from harm. Common noise hazards include:
- Constant loud noise, such as from machinery or on construction sites
- Powered or pneumatic tools
- Impact tools, such as nail guns, hammers, drop forges or riveters
- Loud music and busy bars, clubs or music festivals
- Sudden and loud noise, such as explosions.
According to Safe Work Australia, approximately 80% of hearing loss claims in the Australian workplace come from trades people, labourers, and machinery operators. 97% of these come from long term exposure to hazardous noise.
It is no surprise that the industries with the highest number of claims were in manufacturing, construction, and transport and storage.
However, workplace hearing loss is not only confined to these industries, with airline workers, emergency responders, DJs, tradies and farmers also at risk.
What are Acceptable Noise Levels?
The risk of noise-related injury increases depending on how loud the noise is and how long workers are exposed to it.
For example, if a worker needs to raise their voice to talk to someone one metre away, the noise level is probably too high.
As per Work Health & Safety Regulations (2017), an employer must ensure that the noise an employee is exposed to at work does not exceed the exposure standard for noise. The exposure standard refers to eight (8) hours continuous equivalent noise exposure of 85 dB(A) or a peak sound pressure level of 140 dB(C).
Generally speaking, the risk of adverse health effects can be minimised by keeping noise levels below:
- 50 decibels — if your work involves high concentration or effortless conversation, and
- 70 decibels, if your work is routine, fast-paced and demands attentiveness, and you need to have conversations.
A noise level above 140 decibels can instantly damage hearing.
Managing Risks
Noise-related injuries are avoidable. Through managing the risks of exposure to noise, you can prevent damage to your workers' hearing. If you have identified unsafe noise at your workplace, you must do everything you can to reduce the risk of workers being exposed to unsafe noise levels.
For more information on how you can manage noise and preventable hearing loss at work, download Safe Work Australia’s Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work here.
If you decide that a worker needs to frequently wear personal hearing protection to protect them from noise above the noise exposure standard, you must provide the worker with audiometric testing.
This testing may complement an existing workplace health and safety testing program, or may be a standalone test.
Preventing Noise Hazards
The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is preventable and the risks associated with workplace noise can be managed, by eliminating or reducing exposure to hazardous noise levels. Some examples include:
- identifying noise hazards
- undertaking noise assessments using suitable control measures,
- Eliminating the noise completely
- Making substitutions to eliminate or reduce the noise
- Isolate through noise barriers
- Modify plant or equipment through engineering controls
- Providing personal protective equipment to workers, and
- Testing noise levels to monitor and take action when required.
What About Audiometric Testing?
If a worker needs to frequently wear personal hearing protection to protect them from workplace noise above the noise exposure standard, an audiometric test must be provided to the worker at regular intervals throughout their employment as part of an ongoing hearing conservation program.
An audiometric test is a type of hearing test used to measure the ability of an individual to hear and detect different levels of sound.
Audiometry tests not only help employers to meet their legal obligations, they also support the overall health and safety of team members.
Assist Group’s Audiogram Assessments are conducted in accordance with AS/NZS1269.4:2014 Occupational Noise Management: Part 4 (Auditory Assessment). Audiometric assessments include:
- A review previous noise exposure (both work and non-work related)
- Identification of known, pre-existing ear and hearing issues
- Standard air conduction audiogram.
Summary
Noise hazards in the workplace are a serious issue, however the good news is that hearing loss is preventable by eliminating or reducing exposure to hazardous noise levels.
Managing noise in the workplace involves monitoring existing sound levels in different areas of the work environment, implementing strategies for reducing noise levels where necessary, and providing training on how best to minimise exposure to potentially hazardous sounds.
By taking these proactive steps, you can help protect yourself and your team members from hearing loss, fatigue, stress, and other negative health effects caused by excessive workplace noise exposure.
Audiometric Assessments: Enquire with us today
For a quote to roll out your custom audiometric testing program, please phone our medical reception in your location by CLICKING HERE, or submit your details in the contact form at the bottom of this page.