Is Your Workplace Too Loud? The Role of Noise Exposure Testing

This blog aims to educate Australian entrepreneurs and management in their respective offices on the relevance of noise exposure tests in ensuring their employees are protected from any form of everlasting hearing damage while at work. 

Did You Know? 

Over the past four years, more than 10,000 workers have been affected by noise-related injuries in NSW workplaces, with over 90 percent left permanently disabled Most of these injuries could have been preventable, resulting in a staggering number of lives permanently changed. 
 

Have you noticed your team raising their voices just to have normal conversations on the factory floor? That’s not just annoying, but it’s a warning sign. Noise exposure testing isn’t just a tick-box exercise; it’s about protecting your team’s hearing before it’s too late. 

Key Takeaways 

• Workplace noise above 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing damage 

• You can’t always tell if noise is dangerous, but it doesn’t have to hurt you 

• Professional noise testing identifies risks before your workers suffer hearing loss 

• Simple controls can dramatically reduce noise levels and protect your team 

• Regular testing and monitoring keep you compliant with Australian safety laws 

Table of Contents 

• What Is Sound Level Testing, and Why Does It Matter? 

• Are Your Workplace Surroundings Exposed? Warning signs that You Just can’t Ignore 

• The Real Cost of Ignoring Workplace Noise 

• Who Actually Needs Workplace Noise Assessment? 

• How Noise level Testing Works: The Complete Process 

• What Happens After Testing? Your Next Steps 

 What Is Sound Level Testing, and Why Does It Matter?

Noise level testing is a health check for your workplace’s sound levels. It measures how much noise your workers are exposed to during their shift. 

Here’s the thing, noise doesn’t have to be painful to damage hearing. The acceptable noise level in Australian workplaces is 85 decibels averaged over eight hours. The noise level is like that of a lawn mower or blender. 

 But once those tiny hair cells in your inner ear are damaged, they’re gone forever. They don’t grow back. That’s why noise exposure testing matters, and it catches problems before permanent damage happens.

Is Your Workplace at Risk? Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

What is the simplest test to do? If you need to raise your voice for the other person to hear you, the sound level is likely 85 decibels or higher. 

Other warning signs may include employees complaining about ringing in their ears after their shift, coworkers taking off their hearing protection devices, new equipment that may be louder, employees unable to listen to instructions being given, or someone in your team who is constantly asking, “what?” or “can you repeat that?”

Are Your Workplace Surroundings Exposed? Warning signs that You Just can’t Ignore 

What is the easiest test to conduct? If you must shout to have your voice heard by the other person, then it is probable that your level is at least 85 decibels or above. 

Other signs could be staff members complaining about their ears ringing when they go home, staff members removing their hearing protection devices, new machines that could possibly produce more noise, staff members not being able to hear the directions being given, and staff members in your workforce who continuously ask the question “what?” or “can you repeat that?” 

Your workers know when something’s too loud. Listen to their concerns and consider a professional workplace noise assessment.

The Real Cost of Ignoring Workplace Noise

Let’s get real about what happens when workplace noise goes unchecked. Hearing loss is different from other injuries because it is irreversible, affecting people with hearing impairments. 

For your business, the costs add up fast. Workers’ compensation claims, legal issues, staff turnover, and productivity hits from stress and poor communication all drain resources. 

Workplace sound assessment helps you avoid this. It’s much cheaper to test and fix noise problems than deal with compensation claims and worker disability later. 

Who Actually Needs Workplace Noise Assessment?

Manufacturing plants, construction sites, and workshops obviously need to monitor noise in the workplace. But so do hospitality venues with loud music, airports, printing facilities, and entertainment venues. 

SafeWork NSW recommends noise measurement services in any noisy workplace, especially when there’s a change in equipment, workload, building structure, or working arrangements. 

If you’ve recently bought new equipment, changed production processes, renovated your space, or had workers raise noise concerns, it’s time for testing. 

How Noise Level Testing Works: The Complete Process

Professional noise measurement services begin with a visit to your location. They walk around your location to learn more about your operations. They also interact with your workforce. They do this to learn their noise-related concerns.

Then comes actual testing, which encompasses:

Dosimeters can be personal and can be worn by employees during their working hours to record individual noise exposure.

The area noise meter is designed to calculate sound intensity levels in different regions to determine from where the noise is being created by certain machinery or processes.

Each test is done to strict Australian standards (AS/NZS 1269.1:2005). You will receive a set of results indicating where levels of noise are above a safe level. 

FAQs 

How often should we conduct noise exposure testing in our workplace? 

Test whenever you install new equipment, change processes, or expand operations. For high-risk industries like manufacturing or construction, annual testing is recommended. If nothing’s changed and previous tests showed you’re safely below limits, every two to three years works. 

What noise level requires hearing protection in Australia? 

Workers must not be exposed to noise of 85 decibels or higher over an eight-hour day without protection. Workers must never be exposed to noise above 140 decibels, as this instantly damages hearing. 

Can workplace noise testing help reduce workers’ compensation claims? 

Absolutely. When you identify and control noise hazards early, you prevent hearing damage before it happens. That means fewer claims, lower insurance premiums, and happier workers. Having documented testing also shows you’re taking reasonable steps to protect your team. 

Do we need intrinsically safe equipment for noise testing? 

Yes, if you’re working in hazardous areas like chemical plants, refineries, or anywhere with explosive atmospheres. Standard testing equipment can create sparks. Professional services like Enviro Corp use certified intrinsically safe equipment when needed. 

Ready to Protect Your Team’s Hearing Health? 

Your workers deserve a workplace where they don’t have to choose between doing their job and protecting their hearing. 

Professional noise exposure testing gives you clear answers about where you stand and what needs attention. It’s about solving problems before anyone gets hurt. 

Enviro Corp specializes in comprehensive workplace noise assessment across NSW. We use intrinsically safe equipment, follow Australian standards, and deliver reports you can understand and act on. Our team identifies noise hazards and develops practical solutions for your workplace and budget. 

Don’t wait until someone’s hearing is permanently damaged. Contact Enviro Corp for professional noise measurement services that keep your workplace safe and compliant.