WHS legislation requires organisations where workers regularly wear hearing protection to provide hearing tests for their workers on commencement of their position (within 3 months) and every two years following the initial test. More frequent hearing tests may be required for workers exposed to high, average noise levels throughout their work shift (e.g., ≥ 100dB(A)). Audiometric testing is necessary as part of an organisation’s commitment to providing any worker who incurs a work-related injury or illness with the appropriate support to enable them to work as soon as possible. This blog will analyse the strategies for conducting audiometric testing.
What does Legislation say?
PCBUs must manage risks to health and safety relating to hearing loss associated with noise, and they have a duty to ensure that the noise a worker is exposed to at the workplace does not exceed the exposure standard.
Failure to provide this testing exposes employers to fines of up to $37,500 under the Model Work Health & Safety Regulation.
Audiometric testing is required for workers who are frequently required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect them from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard.
The WHS Regulation and Code of Practice – Managing Noise And Preventing Hearing Loss At Work specifies the exposure standard for noise, in relation to a person, as:
- LAeq,8h of 85 dB(A)1, or LC, peak of 140 dB(C)2.
What this means is that the exposure to harmful noise is looked at over 8 hours, equivalent of 85 dB(A) to a peak of 140 dB within those hours.
For comparison, the table below shows the length of time permissible under the standard without hearing protection before a person’s hearing is damaged.
| Noise Level (dB) | Sound source | Permissible Exposure Time |
| 85 | Average factory, electric shaver | 8 hours |
| 90 | Heavy truck, busy city street, lawn mower, screaming child | ~2 hours |
| 100 | Jet take-off @ 500m, train horn @ 30m, jackhammer | ~15 minutes |
| 110 | Rock concert, chainsaw, snowmobile | ~1.6 minutes |
| 120 | Car horn, air-raid siren, propeller aircraft | ~7 seconds |
| 130 | Military jet, shotgun, hydraulic press | None |
| 140 | Gunshot, jet engine taking off | None |
| 180 | Rocket launching | None |
Why test on the commencement of the position?
Audiometric testing is beneficial for organisations in the early stages of a worker’s commencement as it provides a baseline measurement. The baseline measurement can be used in the following ways:
Comparison to future audiometric tests
The results from the initial test can form a baseline measurement that can be used to compare to future audiometric tests. The comparison tests can then be used to measure how the workers’ hearing has been affected/not affected over the period. Comparing audiometric tests allows an organisation to gather objective data to investigate how hazardous noise can affect/not affect their workers and ensure the most effective controls are implemented.
Workers Compensation claims
Workers who have suffered hearing loss may be able to lodge a worker’s compensation claim to undergo the necessary treatment. Without an initial audiometric test, the organisation may find it difficult to dispute the claim.
Strategies on how to reduce hazardous noise
WHS legislation stipulates that workers must not be exposed to hazardous noise above 85 decibels (DB) over an average of eight hours. Noise in the work environment should be evaluated as part of a risk assessment to understand how noise affects an organisation’s workplace. The risk assessment will then allow workplaces to develop effective controls to reduce the risk of hazardous noise exposure to their workers. Potential control measures could include:
- Upgrading machinery and equipment
- Developing comprehensive maintenance schedule for equipment and machinery
- Relocating machinery and equipment away from workers that contributes to the hazardous noise environment
- Assigning designated operating times for noisy machinery and equipment
- Developing a pre-employment health screening program
How we can help
WHS Consultancy
Recovery Partners WHS Consultants are experts in delivering toolbox talks. They can assist any organisation in delivering one and/or coach supervisors and managers on how to deliver effective toolbox talks.
Injury Reporting Centre
Recovery Partners operates an Injury Reporting Centre (IRC) that operates as a 24-hour service managed by our team of experienced allied health consultants dedicated to assisting injured workers. Our team will streamline all aspects of the reporting process and ensure that all your legal obligations, including safety compliance reporting and occupational injury reporting, are efficiently met. The Injury Reporting Centre (IRC) team will directly contact individuals in the aftermath of incidents. Our Online Injury Reporting Centre enables us to develop swift recommendations for action. They can also liaise effectively among all parties, including you, your staff member, and other stakeholders such as insurers, treating doctors, and treatment providers. Through our robust employee safety reporting mechanism and workplace incident management, we ensure timely and comprehensive communication, facilitating seamless collaboration for incident documentation.
Pre-employment Health Screenings
Pre-Employment Health Assessments (PEHA) are the best way to determine if an individual’s health and fitness levels are an appropriate match for a given role and its tasks. The assessment can also identify any risks that may arise when a worker completes their duties. Recovery Partners’ pre-employment medicals offer a quality experience. Our procedures, online platforms, and team of professionals allow us to deliver innovative outcomes and improve service delivery nationwide.
Audiometric testing
As organisations need to conduct audiometric testing for workers, Recovery Partners provides audiometric testing for workers using specialised equipment.
Workplace Noise Assessment
Noise assessments are a pivotal component of a risk assessment. Recovery Partners asses hazardous noise in workplaces using specialised equipment to develop a noise assessment.
Want to find out more?
Our services are available nationwide. Our consultants love to have a chat, so go ahead and give us a call on 1300 OHS RTW (647 789) or email enquiries@rrp.com.au
You may be interested in
- 6 common mistakes when an incident occurs in the workplace
- 5 benefits of a workplace injury management process
- What is injury reporting and why is it important?
Additional Resources
SafeWork NSW – Code of practice (DEC 2022) – Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
WorkSafe VIC – Compliance code: Noise (2019) Ed 2
SafeWork SA – Code of Practice – Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work (SA 2020)
WorkSafe WA – Code of Practice – Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work (WA Oct 2022)
WorkSafe QLD – Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice 2021 (QLD)
WorkSafe ACT – Work Health and Safety (Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work) Code of Practice 2011 ACT
WorkCover TAS – Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work: Code of practice (TAS)
NT Worksafe – Code of Practice 2020 – Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work (NT)
SafeWork Aust – Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
Disclaimer – these articles are provided to supply general safety information to people responsible for OHS in their organisation. They are general in nature and do not substitute for legal and/or professional advice. We always suggest that organisations obtain information specific to their needs. Additional information can be found at https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Â