It is often noted when talking with employers that not only is the requirement for compulsory audiometric testing overlooked but commonly personnel are not educated on what constitutes excessive noise exposure in the workplace.
If your workers are frequently required to use hearing protection or are provided hearing protection as a control measure, section 58 of the WHS regulations state that employers or the PCBU must provide audiometric testing for the worker:
(a) Within 3 months of the worker commencing work, and
(b) In any event, at least every 2 years.
Have you ever evaluated the noise levels in your workplace? In most work environments, a basic noise survey and risk assessment can be carried out without the use of a noise measuring device. This can be done by consulting standard noise charts and referring to manufacturer and supplier information and noise assessments of the plant equipment you use. You may be surprised how easy it is to have a work environment that exceeds safe levels of noise exposure. If you don’t have adequate information of noise levels, how can you ensure the controls you put in place are protecting your workers?
The Safe Work Australia, Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work code of practice provides easy to interpret and valuable information or Contact Us for more information.