Workplace noise is easy to normalise, especially in depots, workshops, construction sites, airports, waste facilities and mobile plant environments. But when workers are regularly exposed to hazardous noise, the risk of permanent hearing damage is real.

In Western Australia, employers have clear obligations under work health and safety legislation to identify hazardous noise, assess exposure and implement effective controls. Under the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WA), the workplace exposure standard for noise is an LAeq,8h of 85 dB(A) or an LCpeak of 140 dB(C). In practical terms, if people need to raise their voice to be understood at about one metre, noise levels may already be high enough to require action.

What is a Noise Survey?

A noise survey is one of the most effective ways to understand what is really happening on site. It helps identify which tasks, tools, plant or work areas are creating the highest exposures, and whether workers are at risk over the course of a shift. Depending on the workplace, this can include area monitoring, task-based assessment and full-shift personal noise dosimetry.

For operational sites, noise exposure is not always constant. Short-duration, high-noise tasks such as grinding, cutting, operating heavy equipment or working near aircraft and compactors can significantly affect a worker’s daily exposure. That is why relying on assumptions is risky. A well-conducted noise survey provides the evidence needed to make informed decisions.

Importantly, hearing protection should not be the first or only control. The best outcomes come from looking at quieter plant options, maintenance issues, acoustic treatments, isolation, process changes and task scheduling, then using suitable hearing protection as part of a broader noise management plan.

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For employers, a noise survey is not just about compliance. It is a practical step toward protecting workers, supporting health monitoring programs and reducing the long-term risk of noise-induced hearing loss. For workers, it means greater confidence that the job is being assessed properly and that controls match the real conditions on site.

The Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice, approved in WA, gives practical guidance on how PCBUs can meet their duties. That includes identifying noise hazards, assessing the risk, applying the hierarchy of controls, reviewing control measures and determining when audiometric testing is required.

Audiometric Testing requirements in WA

Where workers frequently need to wear personal hearing protectors because noise exceeds the exposure standard, audiometric testing is also required.

In WA, this testing must be provided within three months of a worker commencing that work and at least every two years after that, in accordance with the applicable requirements. See more on Reg. 58…

WHP provide onsite audiometric testing from our purpose built trucks. We also provide WA regional road trips taking audiometric testing to the regions to make compliance with WHS regs easier for the regions.

Our team can also conduct noise surveys, ear plug fit testing and spirometry on these trips. Of course we provide these services year round in Perth, and also offer FIFO for remote sites.

If your workplace has changing tasks, mobile equipment, workshop activity or any area where communication becomes difficult due to background noise, it may be time to review your exposure levels. A current noise survey can provide clarity, support compliance and help you put the right controls in place before hearing damage occurs.

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