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Workplace health and safety

Home > Workplace health and safety > Subject index A-Z > Noise

Noise

Excessive noise is unwanted sound which may damage a person’s hearing. Noise at the workplace is a major cause of hearing loss in Queensland. It contributes to social isolation and reduced quality of life, increased absenteeism, worker turnover and lowered work performance. It also contributes to workplace injuries and accidents.

In order to understand the workplace health and safety requirements for noise, and your obligations under the law you must consider and understand relevant legislation and codes of practice.

What law applies
Legal obligations, legislation, guides

What are the effects of excessive noise?
Health risks of noise exposure, how is hearing damaged

Dealing with noise hazards
Assessing noise levels, noise control policy, hearing conservation program and worker awareness

Noise control measures
As a way of reducing the risks of noise in a workplace, it is important to consider and introduce noise control measures which are most likely to be effective

Audiometric testing
Testing alone is not a preventive mechanism but it is an important part of managing risks from noise exposure in a workplace

Noise in industry
Noise is unavoidable issue in many working industries, including music entertainment, cabinet making, metal fabrication, road freight transport and shooting ranges

Last updated July 19, 2005

Hearing loss is forever

Working in a noisy environment? Use personal hearing protection

Do I need a noise assessment?

For more information contact:

Queensland Government

Workplace health and safety infoline 1300 369 915 for complaints about noise in the workplace

Environmental Protection Agency’s Noise and nuisance for noise relating to non-residential, commercial and industrial properties

Non-Queensland Government

List of council websites for noise in your neighbourhood from residential properties

National Standard for Occupational Noise (PDF, 592 KB) for national standards and codes of practice from the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission
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