OM00035 – Noise Management Policy

Hearing Protection and Audiometric Testing Policy

Hearing Protection and Audiometric Testing Procedure

Noise Assessment Procedure

“Buy Quiet” Purchasing Procedure

Forms and Registers

Amendment Record

Table of Contents

Objective: To comply with relevant current WHS Legislation in respect to hearing protection and audiometric testing.

Scope: This policy covers all people engaged at A2Z Services workplaces/locations exposed to the risk of hearing loss due to noise levels above the exposure levels

Policy: A2Z Services acknowledges that it has specific obligations under current Legislation to manage the risks of hearing loss associated with exposure to noise at the workplace. As such, systems will be put in place to:

Ensure worker exposure to noise does not exceed the Noise Exposure Standard;
Provide audiometric testing to a worker who is frequently required to use personal hearing protectors to protect the worker from hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard.

The following tasks will form the framework to identify and mitigate risks in respect of noise and hearing loss:

Identify situations where a workers’ exposure exceeds the Noise Exposure Standard;
Assessment of the extent of the risk associated with the work in respect of hearing loss;
Establishment of noise monitoring and assessment systems and interpretation of noise monitoring results;
Establishment of control measures using the hierarchy of controls;
Regular consultation with workers exposed to noise at the workplace;
Documented policies to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the risk control measures.

Noise assessments and audiometric testing will be done by a suitably qualified person and will be carried out following the legislative requirements and the procedures outlined in the relevant Australian Standard. The personal information of individual workers, including medical reports and audiometric testing results, will remain confidential at all times between the senior manager and the worker. Workers will be supplied the results of audiometric testing accompanied by a written explanation of the meaning and implications.

Responsibilities:

The PCBU is responsible to ensure there is a safe, effective system in place for workers who may be exposed to excess noise while undertaking tasks for A2Z Services, in accordance with the requirements of current WHS legislation.

At A2Z Services,the WHS Manager is responsible to:

Determine if and when noise assessment (including noise monitoring) and audiometric testing is required;
Consult with workers during all phases of noise assessment and audiometric testing;
Maintain accurate records;
Follow “Buy Quiet” principals whenever possible when purchasing new plant or equipment;
Familiarity and understanding of this and any other procedures associated with noise assessment and audiometric testing;
Liaison and coordinate with persons engaged by A2Z Services to perform audiometric testing;
Provide information and training to workers as required.

Workers are responsible to:

Cooperate with reasonable directions in respect of Noise and hearing loss prevention;
Wear appropriate hearing protection when it is required as per the relevant Safe Work Method Statements and workplace procedures;
Be familiar with, understand and follow this procedure.

Procedure:

Examples of how A2Z Services may isolate the source of noise from workers include:

Using barriers or screens to block the direct path of sound;
Locating noise sources further away from workers.

Administrative controls used to reduce the amount/length of time of workers are exposed to noise may include:

Organising schedules so that noisy work is done when a minimum number of workers are present;
Notifying workers and others in advance of noisy work so they can limit their exposure;
Keeping workers out of noisy areas if their work does not require them to be there;
Sign-posting noisy areas and restrict access;
Provision of quiet areas for rest breaks for workers;
Limiting the time workers are allowed to spend in noisy areas.

If using Hearing protection (PPE) is required, managers and supervisors will ensure:

It is worn by all persons throughout the period of exposure to noise;
It is suitable for the type of working environment and the work tasks;
It is comfortable and correctly fitting for the worker;
It is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure it remains in good, clean condition;
Disposable ear-plugs are only worn once.

When choosing hearing protection, the following will be considered:

Overprotecting by cutting out too much sound can cause difficulties hearing verbal instructions and other sounds needed to work safely;
Ear-plugs are difficult to use hygienically for work that requires them to be inserted with dirty hands;
Ear-muffs can be uncomfortable to wear in hot, humid environments;
Wearing PPE can make it difficult for the worker to enter a confined space or to wear a helmet.

Noise monitoring and noise assessments will be carried out by authorised competent persons and the requirements of the relevant Australian Standards will be strictly followed.

Audiometric Testing: If audiometric testing is required it will:

Be provided within 3 months of the worker commencing work;
Be started before people are exposed to hazardous noise (e.g. new workers or those changing jobs);
Provide a baseline as a reference for future audiometric test results;
Have follow-up tests carried out at least every 2 years;
Be carried out in consultation with workers and their health and safety representatives;
Be carried out by suitably qualified persons in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard;
Be carried out in accordance with the requirements of current WHS legislation.

Workers will be provided with their personal results of audiometric testing accompanied by a written explanation of the meaning and implications. Comprehensive records will be kept, and Audiometric Testing results will be maintained for as long as they are applicable. Confidentiality will be maintained in respect of individual worker’s Audiometric Testing.

The legislated exposure standards for noise are 85 decibels (db.) averaged (A) out over an 8-hour period AND 140 db. – peak. This means that a worker can be exposed to noise lower or higher (to a limit) but average out to no more than 85 decibels over 8 hours. It is expressed as 85dB A. Extremely loud noises, such a metal lathe in operation also have a limit as they can cause immediate damage to hearing. Peak noises must not exceed 140db at any time.

An inspection of the workplace will be conducted to identify noise risks. (Insert names of person/s) will be conducting the inspection before work begins.

For tasks that require straightforward controls a risk assessment will not be completed. For tasks that are more complex, a risk assessment will be conducted in the form of a noise assessment. The noise assessment will be conducted by competent persons in line with the requirements of the relevant Australian Standard, including measuring and assessment of noise emission and exposure, including the use of calibrated noise measuring equipment.

The noise assessment will include:

Identification of noise sources
Noise levels produced by various tasks/ noise sources (including combined noises)
Worker groups at risk
Duration of worker exposure
How work is carried out
Physical layout of the workplace.

Copies of any noise assessment will be accessible for inspection by relevant workers, HSR and government-appointed inspectors. A generic noise assessment will be completed where noise hazards are the same, however these will be reviewed to ensure they are applicable to each workplace and a workplace-specific controls will be implemented as needed. The results of the noise assessment will be documented.

Controls will be selected following a hierarchy. Risks will be eliminated wherever possible. Where risk cannot be entirely eliminated it will be reduced as far as reasonably practicable.

If risk still remains, administrative controls will be used. Implementation of suitable controls will be supported by the development of procedures, information, training, and adequate supervision. If risk still remains, PPE will be used.

Further to these requirements, A2Z Services will implement the following noise management procedures:

“Buy Quiet” purchasing procedures
Preventative maintenance schedules
Warning signage.

Purpose:

The purpose of this procedure is to prevent noise-induced hearing loss to workers, contractors and visitors through the effective management of hazardous noise.

Aim:

A2Z Services aims to eliminate, or reduce as far as practicable, hazardous noise in the workplace through ensuring lowest possible noise emission on all plant and equipment used on site.

Target:

The maximum acceptable noise level for plant/equipment used in this project is …………(db)

All plant and equipment (whether purchased, hired, or leased) must not exceed the maximum acceptable noise level, unless a noise assessment is completed and agreed controls are implemented before its use.

Procedure:

A2Z Services is committed to the following:

Purchasing officers to seek noise emission data from the supplier/ manufacturer
The data must be in a format that can be readily understood
The data must reflect normal / expected operating conditions
Where possible, comparisons must be made with similar equipment for least “noisy” option
Items without noise emission data will not be purchased;
- This will be enforced only where similar items are available with noise emission data.
All items that may produce hazardous noise levels, where noise emission data is not available, will be subjected to a noise assessment before use;
- Results of the noise assessment will be used to implement suitable controls.
- Results of the noise assessment will be available for inspection by relevant persons.

Purchasing officers shall give consideration to the following:

Specific maintenance requirements
Cost and availability of engineering add-ons to reduce noise emission

In general, preference will be given to plant/equipment with:

Higher output tolerances (such as engine capacity or load capacity)
Damping or noise-insulated materials provided
Quieter fans, motors, gears etc.
Use of quieter forms of technology or processes (such as hydraulic operations)
Enclosures for noise-producing parts
Remote control operations wherever possible.

The steps involved in this procedure are to be undertaken in full consultation with relevant persons.

Managing Director: _______________________________ Date: ____/____/____

Document Number	Document Name
OR0017	Risk Register
OF0005	Risk Assessment
OR0023	Noise Source Register

Section#

Para.#

Description of Change

Prepared By

Approved By

Issue#: 1 Issue Date: 13/7/2022

Disclaimer: This documentcontains material to assist in meeting environmental management, Work Health and Safety and Quality obligations under the International Standard ISO AS/NZS ISO 9001:2016,14001:2016 and other legislative bodies. This document contains material sourced from Safe Work Australia. Any such material remains subject to copyright © Commonwealth of Australia. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/copyright. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time of publication, it is provided as guidance only and does not provide legal advice on meeting your obligations. This document and its contents are © A2Z services 2018 and or the originating source authors and no permission is given for its duplication or copying, in part or in its entirety, for use outside its original purposes as stated within the company.