Noise Assessments & Monitoring

There are two different exposure standards: one representing the average noise workers can be exposed to over a working day, the other representing the maximum allowable noise they can be exposed to. The exposure standards are:

• 85 decibels measured as an average over an eight hour work day. 85 decibels is approximately the amount of noise made by a blender, lawnmower or leaf blower.
• 140 decibels as a maximum for ‘peak’ or one-off noise. Any exposure above this level can instantly damage hearing. This is approximately the amount of noise made by a sledgehammer or gunshot.

It’s worth noting that exposure levels like these represent legal maximum levels and are linked to proven hearing damage. But noise can also create an unpleasant work environment or hinder productivity even when it’s within the legal exposure standards.

When Airsafe carries out noise assessments, we recommend ways of reducing workplace noise as much as possible, even when it doesn’t exceed the exposure standards, using guidelines like the one metre rule (if a worker needs to raise their voice to talk to someone one metre away, the noise level is probably too high).

If you’re concerned that your workers might be exposed to excessive noise, the first step is to get noise assessment and monitoring conducted by experienced occupational hygienists like Airsafe.

To determine whether workers are potentially exposed to a noisy workplace, different parameters can be measured and compared to the current workplace exposure standards by shadowing each workstation, and by use of personal sound exposure meters.

Airsafe uses audio dosimetry consisting of a microphone and electronic recorder that is small enough to be attached to an operator. The method is good for employees who are not exposed to continuous noise because the instrument averages all noise exposure over a full shift.

As part of Airsafe’s noise assessment, we’ll recommend ways for you to control noise in your workplace. Our recommendations follow the standard hierarchy of controls, so the preference is always to eliminate the source of noise altogether if that’s possible.

If eliminating noise isn’t possible, we can recommend other options (in descending order of preference) such as:

• changing equipment to reduce noise
• putting barriers between noise sources and workers
• limiting the time a worker spends near a noise source
• using longer leads, hoses and extension cords to add distance between noisy equipment and workers
• using personal protective equipment, like earmuffs or earplugs.

SafeWork NSW provides six easy ways to keep noise levels low:

• buy quiet – look for the quietest plant and machinery for the job – ask the manufacturer/supplier for information about noise levels
• change the way you do the job – e.g. glue don’t hammer, weld don’t rivet, lower don’t drop
• reduce noise levels at the source – e.g. fit suppressors to exhausts, turn down the volume, change fan speeds
• isolate the source of the noise – e.g. use barriers, remote controls or sound-proof covers
• reduce exposure levels – e.g. restrict access to noisy areas, provide quiet areas for rest breaks, limit time spent in noisy areas
• use personal hearing protection, but only as a last resort.

If you are asking your workers to regularly use personal protective equipment, legally you must provide audiometric testing. Testing should be provided within three months of starting work, and at least every two years from then on.

Until 31 December 2023, SafeWork NSW provided an exemption to this regulation, but the exemption is no longer in force and audiometric testing must be provided. See more details on SafeWork NSW website.