Frequently Asked Questions
How often does a workplace noise assessment need to be done?
It is recommended by various codes of practice for noise exposed workplaces to conduct a noise assessment every 5 years, but it is compulsory to carry one out every time new plant or equipment is installed on-site.
Manufacturers too must supply a certificate stating the noise output of supplied plant. This has been compulsory for all suppliers of plant and equipment under harmonised WHS legislation for some time.
What equipment do you use?
We use calibrated scientific instrumentation from Bruel & Kajer a global leader in Sound and Vibration analysis.
We also use handheld weather samplers and weather logging stations needed to accurately measure weather conditions at the time of noise monitoring.
All staff have attended manufacture endorsed training in B&K equipment and processes.
What happens if a noise assessment shows excessive levels of noise?
Excessive levels of noise can be dealt with through engineering solutions (quietening plant or machinery), administrative measures (reducing or rotating time spent working at noisy tasks) and lastly, through Hearing Protection Devices- PPE such as earmuffs, ear plugs and custom noise protection.
Depending on the type of noise and whether it is continuous, intermittent or impulsive our reports will show the amount of noise exposure over a 8hr equivelant (what Australian safety standards and legislation is based on).
We can identify which tasks or jobs require may need task rotation and what level of hearing protection is necessary is needed to provide a safe working environment.
Quite often a role or task requires one employee to communicate to another in noise. With our noise assessment data, we can provide frequency analysis that allows you to select the right communication-in-noise solution for members of your team who may need such specialised PPE.
What is the purpose of an occupational noise assessment?
A noise assessment is an important risk assessment tool for your worksite.
It provides data of sound level measurements which is then interpreted to allow HSE Managers to identify tasks or work processes that expose employees to noise over 85db(A) over an 8 hr equivelant shift.
Noise assessments give you and regulatory authorities the confidence that baseline data has been collated and quantified. Without it, actual noise levels could become open to interpretation and complication at the workplace. A good noise assessment will identify high risk areas and options for minimising noise exposure effectively.
A zero harm policy can be effectively administered without knowing what the safety risks are in a given task.