Noise is in every working environment. It is not uncommon for that noise to reach dangerous levels. Whether hearing loss is due to long lengths of exposure or short lengths that cause the damage, noise damage to workers hearing in Australia is a real thing. The correct training and use of PPE has to be taught to every single Australian worker before they need to use it. WHS law in Australia puts a lot of onus back onto supervisors and upper management to make sure that they are providing a safe working environment for all workers. This includes an environment free from hazardous noise.

So what is a dangerous noise level?

Noise in a workplace is considered at a dangerous level when it reaches the exposure standard of 85 decibels (A-weighted) over an eight hour period, and a maximum of 140 decibels (C-weighted).

To show you an example of noise levels, try and compare your

normal work practices to the below examples:

• jet engine - 120 decibels
• angle grinding - 120 decibels
• chain saw - 110 decibels
• lawn mowing - 93 decibels
• welding - 91 decibels
• front end loader - 85 decibels
• normal conversation - 60 decibels

 

It is very important to protect your own health as well as that of your fellow workers in the workplace. Nobody wants to receive a fine for unsafe practices and nobody wants to be responsible for injuring another in our workforce.

Educational free videos

What is hazardous noise? (WorkSafeBC)

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The hearing Video 

Risk assessment in noisy environments

Noise at work explained

Noise awareness

Free resources

States and territories	Links
Australian Documents	Code of Practice - Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
Victoria	About the problem What is noise? What injuries can noise cause? Your legal duties Employers Employees Designers, manufacturers and suppliers Compliance and enforcement How to comply Consult Find Fix Review Guide - Assessing and fixing noise problems at work Checklist - noise control checklist Guide - Guide for purchasing quieter equipment  Information sheet - Working safely with noise  Guide - Guide to noise (safety)
New South Wales	Fact sheet - Hazardous noise - Solutions Code of Practice - Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work  Fact sheet - Noise in construction
Queensland	Noice in the workplace
Western Australia	Frequently asked questions and general information
Tasmania	Code of Practice - Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
Australian Capital Territory	Noise
Northern Territory	Code of Practice - Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
South Australia	Fact sheet - Noise control in the workplace