An employer must ensure that appropriate risk control measures are taken when noise levels:

• exceed an eight hour noise level equivalent of 85 dB(A); or
• peak at more than 140 dB( C).
• See previous FAQ for definitions.

Employers are required to determine whether noise levels in the workplace exceed the exposure limits specified in the Regulation and, if noise levels do exceed these limits, implement noise management systems to eliminate the noise hazard or reduce exposure to acceptable levels.

If noise cannot be eliminated the employer must take the following measures (in the order specified) to minimise the risk to the lowest level reasonably practical:

• substitute the hazard
• isolate the hazard from the person
• minimise the hazard using engineering means
• minimise the hazard using administrative means
• use personal protective equipment.
  (See Risk Management FAQs)

A combination of the above measures may be necessary to minimise the risk to the lowest possible level if a single measure is not sufficient for that purpose.

Generally speaking, adequate noise management can be achieved by implementing some of the following:

• treating the noise at its source, or its transmission path (e.g. substituting with a quieter machine, isolating by way of sound barriers or distance, engineering by use of sound dampeners on the equipment);
• administrative noise control measures (e.g. training and education, job rotation, job redesign or rosters designed so that as few employees as possible are exposed to noisy operations at any one time and for reduced durations);
• personal hearing protectors (e.g. ear muffs, ear plugs)

In practice the most effective strategy may be provided by a combination of controls.