Audiometric testing: are you complying under new WHS Laws?

Noise-induced hearing damage and industrial deafness are major health and safety issues for employers and employees. In addition, they represent permanent disabilities for the worker, which increases workers compensation premiums and replacement and training costs.

On 1 January 2012, new work health and safety laws commenced in the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Under the ‘Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011’, regular audiometric testing is a legal requirement where a worker is frequently required to use personal protective equipment to protect the worker from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard for noise.

Audiometric testing should be conducted within three months of a worker commencing, and in any event, at least every two years. The code of practice for managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work has been published by Safe Work Australia and applies to all types of work and all workplaces covered by the WHS Act where there is the potential for exposure to noise that can contribute to hearing loss.

Businesses should refer to the code of practice ‘managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work’ to ensure they are meeting their obligations under the new WHS laws or seek advice from an experienced industrial audiologist. An industrial audiologist can provide practical advice on effective noise management solutions that best adhere to the new code of practice by:

• developing a noise policy
• conducting noise assessments
• implementing appropriate noise control strategies
• monitoring employees through audiometric testing
• providing workplace audiometry training
• providing noise hazard awareness training

Safety Recruitment Australia’s industrial audiologists are members of the Audiological Society of Australia (ASA) and are university graduates bound by a Professional Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. To ensure that you are getting the best possible advice for your business, check that your audiologist has the letters MAudSA (CCP) after their name, this way you know you are consulting a qualified audiologist who has completed the ASA Certificate of Clinical Practice (CCP).