Inspection campaign in WA looks at workplace noise management

In recognition of International Noise Awareness Day, WorkSafe WA announced that it will conduct a campaign on noise in workplaces throughout the month of May.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said that although noise has been a recognised workplace hazard for some time, it remains a problem in many WA workplaces: “The health effects of exposure to excessive noise are often not felt until much later, making it crucial to manage noise in a proactive manner before the damage can be done.

“In addition to causing noise-induced hearing loss, excessive noise can also lead to tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and can also contribute to stress. There is also the risk that workers in noisy environments - especially those whose hearing has been damaged - may not hear alarms, warning signals from machinery or voiced warnings from other workers.”

Noise-induced hearing loss is responsible for a significant number of workers compensation claims - 81 in 2007/08.

Safe Work Australia research shows that 32% of Australian workers surveyed reported that they worked in an environment where they were exposed to loud noise. Industries with a high risk of worker exposure to excessive noise are mining (68%), manufacturing (58%), construction (53%), transport and storage (41%) and primary industries (39%), while some exposure was reported in all industries.

“The campaign’s primary aim is to increase awareness of the hazards and to ensure that appropriate control measures are in place, with an emphasis on controlling noise at its source, where practicable,” Lyhne said. “The preferred method of controlling noise is to design and build machinery that produces as little noise as possible, but if noise cannot be controlled at its source, employers should limit individuals’ exposure to noisy areas and provide personal hearing protectors.

“During May, inspectors who visit workplaces for any reason will also be assessing whether hazardous noise is present and, if it is, they may run through a checklist based around identification, assessment and control of noise.

“This inspection campaign is part of an ongoing program of proactive inspections aimed at providing employers with information on how to comply with occupational safety and health laws.

“We firmly believe that raising awareness is the best way in which to lessen the risk of illness and injury, but if inspectors find breaches of the laws, they will take enforcement action.”