For example, If a worker needs to raise their voice to talk to someone one metre away, the noise level is probably too high (the ‘1 metre rule’).

SWA is not a regulator and cannot advise you about WHS issues in the workplace. If you need help please contact your state or territory work health and safety authority.

Sound stimulates tiny hair-like cells in your inner ear, which send messages to your brain. Noise-induced hearing loss happens when those delicate cells are damaged.

Noise can damage your hearing if it’s too loud. Both sudden, loud noises, like an explosion, and constant, loud noise, like working near industrial machinery, can damage your hearing.

One way these cells can be damaged is by very loud sound. The sound can be sudden, like an explosion, or can happen over a long period of time.

As the PCBU, you must make sure that workers are not exposed to noise above the exposure standard as much as is reasonable.

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.

Noise can damage your hearing if it’s too loud. Both sudden, loud noises, like an explosion, and constant, loud noise, like working near industrial machinery, can damage your hearing.   Hearing damage includes permanent or temporary hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).  As the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you must reduce your workers exposure to noise as much as is possible.

As the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you must reduce your workers exposure to noise as much as is possible.

The most common instrument to measure decibels is a noise (or sound) level meter. This measurement can be taken by a competent person, such as a certified occupational hygienist, or if you or one of your workers have the skills and experience, you do not have to find a specialist.

Exposure to some chemicals can also result in hearing loss. These chemicals are known as ototoxic substances. Hearing loss is more likely to occur if a worker is exposed to both noise and ototoxic substances than to just one of them alone.

As the PCBU, you must do all you can to reduce the risk of noise-related injury in the workplace. There are some things you must do to reduce the risk of noise-related injury, including:

Workers must not be exposed above 85 decibels (as an average) over eight hours at work. Machines like blenders, lawnmowers and leaf blowers are around 85 decibels. This rule changes depending on decibels and time exposed. For example, the risk at 91 decibels over two hours is the same as 85 decibels over eight hours.

The model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work guides you on how to do this. It also has a tool called a ‘noise ready reckoner’ to calculate workers’ noise exposure.

Safe Work Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.

Workers must not be exposed to a noise level above 140 decibels. Any exposure above this level could instantly damage hearing. Sledgehammering or gunshots can be 140 decibels or higher.

Once you know how many decibels the noise at your workplace is, you can use the noise ready reckoner to calculate the equivalent exposure to 85 decibels over eight hours.