
From 1st January 2024, it is now compulsory for a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to provide hearing tests for their workers who are exposed to noise that exceeds the exposure standard.
The exposure standard is an equivalent of an 8-hour exposure of 85 decibels, or peak exposure of 140 decibels.
What does this mean for you?
If your business operates (amongst other things) a loading dock, industrial laundry, kitchen (especially if it contains industrial dishwashers), employs gardeners or greenskeepers that use power tools, provides live or loud music, or have any other roles that requires hearing protection or exposes your employees to sustained noise levels, you should be organising and funding audiometric testing for affected staff members.
These tests should be completed within 3 months of a staff member commencing work, and at least every 2 years after that.
A doctor's referral is not required, and appointments can be made at any audiology clinic in your local area. For help finding an audiology clinic close to you, please contact Audiology Australia on (03) 9940 or visiting their website.
If you're unsure whether your workplace is at or above the standard exposure, consider organising a workplace noise assessment.
For further information:
Please visit the SafeWork NSW website: Hearing test requirements for NSW workers | SafeWork NSW
We're here to help
The HIISafe team is here to help. If you would like to speak to one of our team members, please contact us on the details below.
E: info@hii.au
T: 02 8251 9069