Noise is an unwanted sound that can interfere with communication at work. Exposure to elevated noise levels over a period of time could lead to workplace incidents. It is important to effectively identify and manage all damaging sound that may cause damage to hearing or cause other health effects such as hypersensitivity to noise or increased blood pressure due to noise stress.
Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational injuries that are reported at the workplace. Resulting in health problems for workers and it does present a significant social and economic cost.
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs gradually over a long period of time and unfortunately does not get picked-up or noticed till it becomes too late.
Employers must ensure that safe work practices are implemented and maintained if workers are at risk of being exposed to noise levels that are greater than that prescribed by the National Standards for Occupational Noise Exposure. They are also required to provide audio metric testing for all their workers who are exposed to noise that is in excess of the exposure standard.
Exposure to excessive noise imposes unrecognized hidden costs to organizations by way of workers compensation claims, increased employee absenteeism, lowered performance and possible contribution to workplace incidents. We can support you to manage your legislative obligations (Corporate governance) where there is potential for exposure to excessive noise, by assessing all the plant and processes in the workplace which have the potential to expose workers to excessive noise.
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