The principal objective of the legislation and this code of practice is to reduce the incidence and severity of hearing loss resulting from excessive noise exposure in workplaces. The most effective and reliable way to prevent and control this significant hazard is to eliminate, or at least quieten the sources of noise to which employees are exposed.

Since the publication of the original Approved Code of Practice for the Management of Noise in the Workplace in 1996, there have been changes in the standards that underpinned the code.

The publication of these standards has included some significant changes to the preferred work practices or arrangements that a code of practice is intended to present.It has been necessary to update this approved code to recognise these changes.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Notice of Issue
Foreword

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Changes to this Approved Code of Practice from the 1996 Code
1.2 Purpose of this Code of Practice
1.3 Limits for Occupational Noise Exposure
1.4 Health Effects of Occupational Noise Exposure

2. EMPLOYERS’ DUTIES IN MANAGING OCCUPATIONAL NOISE

2.1 Employers Duties
2.2 Providing a Safe Place of Work

3. PRELIMINARY SURVEYS – IDENTIFYING NOISE HAZARDS

3.1 What is a Preliminary Assessment?
3.2 How Should a Preliminary Assessment Be Carried Out?
Preliminary Noise Survey Checklist

4. DETAILED SURVEYS – ASSESSING NOISE HAZARDS

4.1 The Purpose of Detailed Noise Assessments
4.2 Detailed Noise Assessments to be Carried Out by a Competent Person
4.3 Methods and Equipment for Detailed Noise Assessments
4.4 Noise Evaluation Procedures
4.5 Frequency of Assessments
4.6 Follow-up Assessments
4.7 Consultation with Employees
4.8 Extended Work Shifts

5. CONTROL OF NOISE AT SOURCE

5.1 Introduction
5.2 The Role of Employers and Competent Persons
5.3 The Noise Reduction Programme
5.4 Overview of Noise Control Solutions
5.5 The Cost of Not Controlling Noise at Source

6. CONTROL OF NOISE EXPOSURE WITH HEARING PROTECTORS

6.1 Introduction
6.2 A Hearing Protector Programme
6.3 The Need for Hearing Protectors
6.4 Hearing Protector Areas
6.5 Selection of Hearing Protectors
6.6 Personal Issuing of Hearing Protectors
6.7 Cleaning and Maintenance of Hearing Protectors
6.8 Education and Training

7. MONITORING THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF NOISE (AUDIOMETRY), AND NOTIFICATION OF SERIOUS HARM

7.1 Introduction
7.2 Employers Duties to Provide Audiometric Testing for Employees
7.3 Frequency of Tests
7.3 Audiometric Testing to be Carried Out By a Competent Person
7.4 Informed Consent to Carry Out Audiometric Tests
7.5 Standards for Audiometric Testing
7.6 OSH Criteria for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Serious Harm
7.7 Employers to Notify OSH When Serious Harm Occurs
7.8 Other Action to Take Following Audiometric Tests
7.9 Requests for Information by a Health and Safety Inspector or Departmental Medical Practitioner

8. TRAINING AND EDUCATION

8.1 Groups Requiring Training
8.2 Topics to be Covered
8.3 Training Supervisors
8.4 Training on Hearing Protector Maintenance
8.5 Training Persons Responsible for Purchasing Hearing Protectors
8.6 Training Workers of Non-English-Speaking Backgrounds

9. DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED REGARDING OCCUPATIONAL NOISE

10. DUTIES OF DESIGNERS, MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF PLANT AND HEARING PROTECTORS

APPENDIX A: SUMMARY OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY IN EMPLOYMENT ACT AND REGULATIONS 34

A.1 Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
A.2 Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995

APPENDIX B: THE "COMPETENT" PERSON

B.1 Noise Measurements and Assessments
B.2 Audiometric Testing

APPENDIX C: NOISE REDUCTION BY ENGINEERING CONTROL

C.1 Engineering Noise Control at Source
C.2 Engineering Treatment of the Noise Transmission Path

APPENDIX D: SELECTION OF HEARING PROTECTORS

D.1 Determination of Appropriate Protectors
D.2 The Grade Method
D.3 The "Classification "Method
D.4 Octave Band Method

APPENDIX E: AUDIOMETRY

E.1 Audiometry Testing According to AS/NZS 1269:1989
E.2 Audiometric Testing According to AS/NZS 1269.4:1998
E.3 Reference and Monitoring Audiometry
E.4 Definition of a Temporary Threshold Shift

APPENDIX F: DESIGNERS, MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF PLANT

F.1 Introduction
F.2 Designers
F.3 Manufacturers and Suppliers
F.4 Employers
F.5 Test Procedures for the Evaluation of Equipment Noise Emission

APPENDIX G: DESIGNERS, MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF HEARING PROTECTORS

G.1 Introduction
G.2 Designers
G.3 Manufacturers and Suppliers

APPENDIX H: GUIDELINES FOR THE EXPOSURE TO ULTRASOUND AND INFRASOUND

H.1 Ultrasound
H.2 Infrasound

APPENDIX I: DEFINITIONS

APPENDIX J: BIBLIOGRAPHY

J.1 General References on Noise Control
J.2 Specialist References on Noise Control
J.3 References on vibration
J.4 Standards