Occupational noise survey - Workplace Health & Safety | Occupational Hygiene | WHS

Occupational Noise Management

Occupational hearing loss is non-curable, however it’s 100% preventable

As part of our total hearing conservation solution, occupational noise management is one of our most frequently performed services. We are industry experts in delivering noise services to workplaces Australia wide across every industry. If you require any noise services, call us or complete the request for quote today!

Occupational hearing loss is non-curable, however it’s 100% preventable

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Our Approach to Noise Monitoring

Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing. Excessive workplace noise can lead to noise induced hearing loss which is a leading cause of workers compensations claims.

Occupational noise monitoring is undertaken in accordance with ASNZS 1269.1 Occupational Noise Management to determine the levels of noise that workers may be exposed to in the workplace. The results of a noise survey are then compared against exposure standards as a means of determining whether the individual (or group of workers) is at risk of long-term damage to their hearing.

If you require any of the following services, please call us or send a request for proposal today:

Static noise level survey
Noise dosimetry
Boundary noise sampling
Noise management plan
Hearing conversation program
Noise contour mapping

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We Service Australia Wide

How we conduct a Noise Survey

Noise Dosimetry

Workers are required to have a noise dosimeter attached to their shirt collar to determine personal noise exposure. This is done by our Occupational hygiene team member prior to the worker beginning their shift. This process only takes a few minutes per worker. The noise dosimeter is worn for the entire shift & removed by the occupational hygiene team member. The data is downloaded for inclusion in the noise survey report.

We also utilise a process taken from the mining industry, whereby every worker monitored is provided with a feedback diary. The diary is a way for each worker to record the tasks that they undertook throughout the monitoring period. This helps us keep a record from the worker’s perspective of what they did throughout their shift.

Sound Level Measurements

Static sound level measurements are taken with a sound level meter at specific locations around the workplace. This can be done to measure the level of noise emissions from specific machinery, at workstations or from portable equipment. These measurements typically represent one whole cycle of a process, however may also represent critical portions of the process in isolation for the purposes of highlighting for control.

Noise Contour Mapping

Where requested, AusSafety will produce a noise contour map that details the noise levels across a given work area. They are most beneficial at workplaces with fixed equipment to help determine mandatory hearing protection areas & the class of hearing protection required.

Reporting & Recommendations

After performing onsite monitoring, AusSafety’s team will compile the data collected into a comprehensive noise report. This report will include all dosimetry readings and worker feedback received, static sound level measurements & other observations made by the hygiene team member. Combining these together we will provide concise conclusions in relation to exposure standards & useful recommendations to help you control worker exposure. All hygiene reports are peer reviewed before being delivered.

All of our personal noise dosimeters, calibrators and sound level meters are calibrated by National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited calibration laboratories. It is important to note that an occupational noise assessment should be conducted any time the following occurs at a workplace:

installation or removal of machinery or other noise sources likely to cause a significant change in noise levels
a change in workload or equipment operating conditions likely to cause a significant change in noise levels or exposure times;
a change in building structure likely to affect noise levels;
a change to working arrangements affecting the length of time workers spend in noisy work areas;
or in any event, every 5 years.

Noise Standards

The National Standard for Occupational Noise [NOHSC:1007 (2000)] sets the maximum daily occupational noise exposure level at an eight-hour equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (LAeq,8h) of 85 dB(A) and, for peak noise, a C-weighted peak sound pressure level (LC,peak) of 140 dB(C). This standard has been brought forward into the model WHS Regulations and those jurisdictions that persist with their legacy health and safety legislation (such as Victoria and WA).

LAeq,8h of 85 dB(A) means that over an eight-hour shift a worker can’t be exposed to more than 85 decibels. Whether this is exceeded depends on the level of noise involved and how long a worker is exposed to it.
LC,peak of 140 dB(C) means a worker can’t be exposed to a noise level above 140 decibels. Peak noise levels greater than this usually occur with impact or explosive noise such as sledge-hammering or a gun shot. Any exposure above this peak can create almost instant damage to hearing.