Noise-induced hearing loss can occur when workers are exposed to high noise levels in the workplace. Some examples of noisy work include construction work, operating machinery in a factory, lawn mowing, aircraft ground support work, operating shooting ranges and nightclubs. A temporary loss, called a temporary threshold shift, occurs when hearing worsens but recovers over time. A permanent threshold shift or permanent hearing loss is caused by irreparable damage to the ear’s cilia.
Regulation 58 of the Work Health and Safety General Regulations 2022 requires a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to provide audiometric testing to workers who are frequently required to wear hearing protection to protect against noise-induced hearing loss from noise that exceeds the exposure standard for noise.
An audiometric test must be done within three months of the worker starting the noisy work and at least every two years thereafter.
The initial test establishes the worker’s baseline level of hearing. It should be conducted after 16 hours of quiet. Subsequent audiometric tests should be conducted well into the work shift. The tests should be referenced against the baseline test to detect any threshold shift in hearing.
Where a threshold shift is detected, the PCBU must take steps to investigate the cause, implement higher order controls if necessary, and review the workplace hearing protection program.
In so doing, the PCBU can ensure that high noise processes are adequately controlled and reduce the risk of workers suffering noise-induced hearing loss.
Further information
Further informationSee audiometric FAQs on the WorkSafe website and the Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work: Code of practice.
