Noise Control in the Workplace
About Noise
Noise in the workplace can be highly distracting, limit communication, affect safety as well as reduce work performance and productivity.
Noise can be a problem in factories, vehicles, open plan office environments or building and construction sites. Because of excess noise, instructions can sometimes be misheard or announcements not heard at all which may compromise both productivity and safety. Open plan office environments where multiple distractions and conversations occur can reduce concentration levels, alter train of thought or reduce the ability to focus attention, again potentially impacting negatively on work performance and productivity.
Excessive noise within the workplace can also contribute to the permanent hearing loss of employees. Evidence suggests that continuous exposure to noise levels that exceed 85 decibels during a normal 8 hour working day can pose an unacceptable risk to the hearing of those exposed. Therefore methods of suppressing or eliminating workplace noise can have great benefits.
Reducing noise levels at the source provides the most effective way of protecting workers' hearing as well as providing numerous other benefits to workplaces.
About the Law
In relation to noise, the following Occupational Safety and Health regulations (1996) apply :
3.46. Avoidance of noise above exposure standard
A person who, at a workplace, is an employer, the main contractor or a self employed person must, as far as practicable, ensure that noise to which a person is exposed at the workplace does not exceed the exposure standard for noise.
Penalty: the regulation 1.16 penalty.
3.47 Standard of personal hearing protectors
If it is not practicable to avoid exposing a person at a workplace to noise above the exposure standard for noise then a person who, at the workplace, is an employer, the main contractor or a self employed person must ensure that the first mentioned person is provided with personal hearing protectors that have been selected in accordance with the procedures specified in AS/NZS 1269.3.
1.16. Penalty for breaches by employers and others
(2) The applicable penalty is —
(a) in the case of an individual —
(i) for a first offence, $25 000; and
(ii) for a subsequent offence, $31 250;
or
(b) in the case of a body corporate —
(i) for a first offence, $50 000; and
(ii) for a subsequent offence, $62 500.
Why undertake a noise assessment ?
The general objectives of undertaking a noise assessment is to:
• Identify all employees likely to be exposed to noise above specified levels. This will generally involve the evaluation of LAeq,8h and measurements of peak noise levels where relevant.
• Obtaining information on noise sources and work practices that will help deciding what measures should be taken to reduce noise.
• Help in the selection of appropriate personal hearing protectors.
• Delineate hearing protection areas.
The detail and accuracy needed will depend on individual circumstances encountered in the workplace.
How can we help ?
A noise assessment may be simple or quite complex, depending on the type of workplace, the number of employees and the information already available regarding noise exposure levels.
When no prior information is available, an initial noise assessment is made (walkthrough Noise Survey) to establish if noise exposure is acceptable or not.
Noise readings are to be undertaken in accordance with Australian Standards AS1269 and AS 2659. Where readings indicate that hearing protection is likely to be necessary, readings in dB(C) may also be taken during the initial assessment in order to determine the attenuation required by personal hearing protectors. Alternatively, a separate follow-up assessment or detailed noise assessment may be required for this purpose.
LGIS’ accredited Noise Officer specialises in conducting thorough noise and exposure assessments in all workplace environments. We use the latest equipment, calibrated to exacting standards to ensure accurate and efficient recordings and efficient recordings. Reports are tailored to individual clients however traditionally include:
- Noise levels for each specified work area
- Personal 'noise dose' recordings
- Identification of any areas/jobs that meet the legislated "Action Level"
- Reference to relevant government legislation
- Recommendations on appropriate personal hearing protection
- "Summary of Actions" following receipt of the Noise Survey Report
For more information, please contact Kyle Waters on 9483 8888.