Scope note
Exposure standards for noise, expressed as an averaged daily level and a peak level, are set in the regulations that apply in your jurisdiction, along with requirements for measurement and for audiometric testing. This template does not state those figures because they and their measurement basis differ. Record the standard that applies to you below, confirmed with Safe Work Australia and your state WHS regulator, and measure against it.
A practical field indicator, useful before any meter arrives: if people need to raise their voices to be understood at about arm's length, noise is likely to be at a level worth assessing properly.
Assessment details
Step 1 - Identify noise sources
- Fixed plant and machinery
- Portable power tools, including grinders, saws and impact tools
- Compressed air, steam release and pneumatic tools
- Impact noise: hammering, dropping, metal on metal
- Vehicles, mobile plant and reversing alarms
- Ventilation, pumps, compressors and generators
- Alarms, sirens and public address systems
- Music or entertainment noise where it applies
- Noise from adjacent work areas or neighbouring sites
- Peak or impulse noise, which can damage hearing in a single event
Step 2 - Measure
Estimate first from the sources above, then measure where the estimate suggests exposure may approach the standard. Measurement is done with calibrated equipment by a competent person, over a period representative of actual work.
| Location or task | Measurement type | Result | Duration of exposure | Exceeds the standard (Y/N) | Instrument and calibration date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Step 3 - Controls, in order
Hearing protection is the last resort. It relies on correct fitting and continuous wearing, and real-world attenuation is usually well below the rating on the packet.
- Eliminate: stop the noisy process, or do the work off site
- Substitute: quieter plant, quieter processes, buy-quiet purchasing policy for new equipment
- Isolate: enclose the source, build acoustic barriers, relocate the process, restrict access to noisy areas
- Engineering: damping, silencers, mufflers, maintenance of worn parts, resilient mounts, absorbent surfaces
- Administrative: rotate workers, limit exposure time, schedule noisy work when fewest people are present, signage
- Hearing protection: correct type for the level, fitted, maintained, and worn for the whole exposure
| Noise source | Control chosen | Level in the hierarchy | Owner | Due date | Expected reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Step 4 - Hearing protection, where it is still needed
- Protection selected for the actual noise level, not over-protecting to the point of isolating the wearer
- Wearers can still hear alarms, warnings and communications, and this has been checked
- Fitting instruction given and demonstrated back, especially for earplugs
- Protection is available at the point of use, not in a distant store
- Reusable protection is cleaned and maintained, disposables are readily replaced
- Hearing protection areas are signposted and the boundary is clear
- Compliance is monitored, and non-wearing is treated as a control failure to investigate rather than only a discipline matter
Step 5 - Health monitoring
Where workers are regularly required to use hearing protection because of exposure, audiometric testing is commonly required. Confirm the requirement and interval for your jurisdiction.
| Worker role | Baseline test date | Last test | Result trend | Next due | Action if shift detected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|