OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY MANUAL
16.
Section 16 – Noise Control Policy
Version:
03
Page:
1 of 4
Issue Date:
16 March 2002
Authorised by: Marjorie Dickenson
NOISE CONTROL POLICY
SimuLab is committed to providing a healthy and safe workplace where no individual is exposed to
excessive noise.
SimuLab will comply with all current legislation and recommendations for noise in the workplace as
stated in the New South Wales Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001. This requires that:

No individual’s average noise exposure level exceeds 85 dB(A) and that no individual is
exposed to noise levels equal to, or greater than 140 dB.

Management ensure that a noise control program is implemented, based on the principles of
risk management.

Employees cooperate with all established workplace procedures to ensure their hearing is
protected at work.
In order to minimise hearing damage in the workplace SimuLab management agrees to:

Implement noise control policies and guidelines to minimise exposure in their areas of
responsibility.

Provide training, instruction and information to all staff working with plant or equipment.

Ensure risk assessments are undertaken in consultation with employees.

Use engineering noise control measures as much as as practicable/possible.

Maintain plant and equipment.

Ensure hearing protection areas are identified and signed in conformance with standards.

Provide audiometric testing on commencement of employment and then on a yearly basis.

Ensure noise assessment records are maintained for a period of 30 years.
SimuLab employees are required to:

Assist in the risk identification and risk assessment process.

Participate in all training provided for safe systems of work.

Follow all safe operating procedures.

Use equipment to minimise noise exposure where provided.

Cooperate with the employer in performing noise assessments.

Report any problems associated with operating procedures or equipment as soon as possible
to management.
16.1.
Identification of Noise Hazards
Few individuals are capable of reliably assessing the level of noise to which they have been
exposed. An aural inspection is useful in highlighting areas which are likely to be noisy, but
reliable assessment can only be undertaken with a noise meter.
As a general rule if it is necessary to use a raised voice to communicate with another
person about 1 m away, then it is advisable for noise assessment to be undertaken in
that area.
Those individuals who spend large amounts of time in high noise areas should have their
noise exposure assessed.
Potential sources of risk from noise hazards by the best identified by:

Workplace inspections.

Complaints.

Accident/injury/illness/incident statistics.

Worker’s compensation claims.
16.2.
Noise Assessment
This refers to the systematic measurement of workplace noise levels. It must be undertaken
by a trained person using certified equipment. All noise assessments undertaken in the
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY MANUAL
Section 16 – Noise Control Policy
Version:
03
Page:
2 of 4
Issue Date:
16 March 2002
Authorised by: Marjorie Dickenson
SimuLab workplace must comply with AS 1269:1998 Occupational Noise Management, and
MUST be performed using certified equipment.
Noise assessments are intended to:

Identified noisy plant and equipment.

Highlight areas of the workplace where noise is excessive.

Identify areas where noise control is required.

Identify areas where hearing protection is required.
There are three types of noise assessments routinely carried out in the workplace:

The assessment of noisy work areas (noise level).

The amount of noise to which individuals are exposed (noise dose).

The testing of individuals hearing response (audiometric testing or hearing tests).
Each type of assessment requires its own type of equipment and procedures.
16.2.1. Noise Level Assessment
After a workplace assessment has highlighted the areas where noise levels are likely to pose
a risk to workers, the amount of noise should be quantified using a sound pressure level
meter (which is more commonly referred to as a noise meter). Noise meters come in several
types ranging from inexpensive devices capable of adequate accuracy and real-time readout
(class 2 meters) to more capable units which can average noise levels over time periods,
provide statistical analysis of the noise to help identify noise sources, and give indication of
peak exposure levels (class 1 meters). In order to provide evidence for legal purposes a
class one meter should be used. It should also be calibrated and certified at least once every
two years by an accredited body such as NATA.
16.2.2. Noise Dose Assessment
This procedure provides information on the level of exposure of an individual to noise in the
workplace. It is undertaken using a noise dosimeter, which is a metering device worn by
workers with a microphone placed as close to the ear as possible for part or all of the
working day. It provides information on the different types of noise the worker is exposed to
(such as frequency and intensity) as well as indicating the average noise dose received by
the worker during the assessment.
16.2.3. Audiometric Tests
This refers to the testing of an individual’s hearing performance. It must be undertaken by
trained personnel using calibrated equipment. All employees MUST undergo audiometric
testing prior to commencing employment with SimuLab. Follow up audiometric tests should
be undertaken on a yearly basis to ensure there is no workplace related deterioration in
individuals hearing.
16.3.
Noise Control
Workplace noise levels at SimuLab should be reduced to and maintained at or below the
standards set by the New South Wales Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001,
which allows a maximum 8 hour equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level of
85dB(A)Laeq, 8h. Additionally, peak noise levels must not exceed 140dB.
Noise control must be undertaken using the principles outlined in the hierarchy of hazard
control. The best method is to eliminate the noise by removing the process, but this is rarely
a viable option. Most often methods to control noise involve engineering controls,
administrative controls or personal protective equipment.
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Section 16 – Noise Control Policy
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Issue Date:
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Authorised by: Marjorie Dickenson
16.3.1. Engineering Controls
This refers to the use of engineering methods to reduce the noise level either at the source,
or during the transmission path. Isolation at the source is always the preferred method, but is
not always feasible. Methods for isolation of noise at the source include:

Use of machinery with lower sound output - or purchase of new equipment with more
effective noise control.

Maintenance of equipment to lower noise and reduce vibration.

Isolation of equipment to prevent noise transmission through structures.
Methods for isolation of noise by interrupting the transmission path include:

Enclosure of the noisy equipment with a sound reducing cover.

Provision of soundproof rooms for operators.

Isolate the noisy equipment in a room or building away from operators.

The use of acoustic barriers.

Incorporation of sound absorbing material in areas of the workplace.

Use of mechanical controls such as mufflers, etc.
16.3.2. Administrative Controls
Administrative controls should be adopted if engineering controls fail, or may be adopted in
conjunction with engineering controls to produce more satisfactory noise control measures.
Examples of administrative controls include:

Job rotation.

Regular breaks.

Job re-design.
If administrative controls are adopted, regular inspections should be undertaken to ensure
that they are being complied with.
16.3.3. Personal Protective Equipment
Hearing protection should be regarded as the last resort for controlling workplace exposure
to noise. It should only be used where other methods are impossible or impractical.
Any area of the SimuLab site where noise levels have been identified as being in excess of
those specified in legislation i.e. 85dB(A), must be signposted as “hearing protection areas”
and their boundaries clearly defined. Any person entering a hearing protection area must
wear personal hearing protection. This equipment must comply with AS1270:1998
Acoustics:Hearing Protectors.
All SimuLab employees identified at risk of excessive noise exposure by risk
assessment shall be provided with hearing protection. Suppliers of such equipment shall
be instructed to provide full information on the specifications of the equipment, and make
reports of this available to employees. Individual selection of personal hearing protection
should be based on:

The noise level in the employee’s environment and the degree of protection required too much protection may be uncomfortable and cause communication problems.

The comfort, weight and clamping force of the hearing protection.

The individual attributes of the user - special consideration should be given to
individuals who wear spectacles or safety glasses.

The need to wear other safety equipment such as safety glasses.

The suitability of the equipment for the working environment. For example earplugs
are difficult to use in dirty environments. In this instance earmuffs may be more
suitable.
16.3.4. Choosing the Appropriate Level of Hearing Protection
This is best estimated by using the SLC80 value. This value estimates a level of protection
which will protect approximately 80 percent of wearers. As 20 percent of workers will
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Section 16 – Noise Control Policy
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Page:
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Issue Date:
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Authorised by: Marjorie Dickenson
therefore be under protected by equipment rated at a particular SLC 80 value, SimuLab
requires employees to select hearing protection with a value 3dB greater than that calculated
for protection.
16.3.5. Calculation of Hearing Protection Requirements
Hearing protection requirements shall be calculated as follows:
Highest noise level to which employee
is exposed (from noise assessment)
_
Maximum noise exposure limit allowed
by SimuLab (85dB)
For example, if the highest noise level to which an employee is exposed is 108dB then
hearing equipment with an SLC80 value of at least 23dB would be required (108-85).
Hence according to SimuLab policy the employee must wear hearing protection with an
SLC80 value of 26dB.
16.4.
Ongoing Monitoring and Review of Workplace Noise
Workplace monitoring procedures for noise should include:

Checks on the effectiveness of noise controls through the use of noise dosimeters and
sound pressure level meters.

Monitoring of the use and maintenance of hearing protection.

Checks on the maintenance of noise reduction equipment.

Routine noise assessments and noise audits.

Maintenance of records for training, noise assessments and hearing assessments.
Use of the SimuLab Noise Control Checklist, form 05-107, will aid in the ongoing monitoring
and review of noise in the workplace.
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