Noise Guidelines

1. Introduction
2. Legislative Requirements
   • University Responsibilities
   • Staff Member Responsibilities
3. Procedures

---

1 Introduction

Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common occupational injury and costs Australian industry around $35 million annually in compensation costs.

In Australia in 2001-2002 there were 4510 workers compensation claims for noise induced hearing loss. This is 3.2% of all injury and disease claims received.

The definition of noise is an unwanted sound - it may damage a person’s hearing.

If you need to raise your voice to have a conversation with someone face to face, you probably have a noise problem in the workplace.

Repetitive exposure to excessive noise levels can lead to noise induced hearing loss. The hair cells of the cochlea that generate nerve impulses will be damaged or destroyed when their supporting structures are overworked. Only a few hair cells may be lost at a time, but with repeated exposure over days, months and years, the cumulative effect can be substantial. This type of hearing loss is permanent — when the microscopic structures are damaged, there is no way to repair them to restore reasonable hearing.

2 Legislative Requirements

2.1 University Responsibilities

The University, under the OHSW Regulations 1995, must provide and maintain a workplace, plant and systems of work to ensure that a staff member is not, while at work, exposed to a noise level that exceeds the exposure standard. The exposure standard is:

• An eight-hour equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level, (LAeq 8h) of 90dB(A) referenced to 20 micropascals; and,
• A linear (unweighted) peak sound level, (Lpeak) of 140dB(lin) referenced to 20 micropascals.

If noise levels in a particular area exceed the exposure standard then supervisors must:

1. Implement engineered noise controls in order to reduce the noise;
   
2. If this is not reasonably practicable, or does not reduce the noise level to less than or equal to the exposure standard, then administrative noise controls must be introduced; and
   
3. If this is not reasonably practicable, or does not reduce the noise level to less than or equal to the exposure standard, then appropriate personal hearing protection must be provided that meets the requirements of AS 1270 Acoustics – Hearing protectors and AS 1269 Acoustics – Hearing conservation.

In addition the supervisor must ensure that all noise control measures are properly maintained and reviewed and that staff members are given information and training about noise control measures implemented.

2.2 Staff Member Responsibilities

A staff member must, so far as is reasonable (but without derogating from any common law right):

• Comply with noise control measures implemented under the OHSW Regulations; and
  
• Use a personal hearing protector provided for the purposes of the OHSW Regulations; and
  
• Report promptly to their supervisor any defect in any noise control equipment or in any personal hearing protector supplied to the staff member of which the staff member is aware.

3 Procedures

1. Heads of Cost Centres or nominee will identify areas where noise may be an issue.
   
2. The Head of Cost Centre or nominee will then contact the OHS Unit. The OHS Unit will make an initial assessment of the areas within 10 working days. He/she will inform the Head of Cost Centre or nominee, Area Supervisor and Area OHS Committee within 15 working days of the completion of the initial assessment on the outcomes of that assessment and future actions required.
   
3. If there is a significant risk to staff members’ hearing then consultation with all concerned will occur, and:

i. A noise control plan will be established for the area;

ii. A full evaluation of the noise and a risk assessment will be undertaken;

iii. Training and information on noise reduction methods to be applied and personal hearing conservation will be provided;

iv. The noise control plan will include:

• A brief description of the workplace or part of the workplace and staff members to which it relates.
• A statement of noise objectives in terms of immission levels for the workplace and exposure levels for operators.
• Brief descriptions of engineering noise control measures to be implemented.
• Brief descriptions of administrative noise control measures to be implemented.
• A timetable for implementation of the selected engineering and administrative control measures.
• Expected immission and exposure levels resulting from implementation of engineering and administrative noise control measures.
• Where appropriate, a brief summary of required noise specifications for new or replacement equipment and approximate dates of expected purchase.

v. A monitoring and evaluation plan will be devised;
vi. The Area Supervisor will provide an annual report regarding the monitoring and review to the Head of Cost Centre or nominee and Area OHS Committee.

AS/NZS 1269.0:2005- Occupational noise management - Overview and general requirements

AS/NZ 1269.1:2005 - Occupational noise management - Measurement and assessment of noise immission and exposure

AS/NZ 1269.1:2005/Amdt 1:2005 - Occupational noise management - Measurement and assessment of noise immission and exposure

AS/NZ 1269.2:2005 - Occupational noise management - Noise control management

AS/NZ 1269.3:2005

AS/NZ 1269.4:2005

AS/NZ 1269.4:2005/Amdt 1:2005

Last revised: 20 September 2006