Industrial Testing
New WHS legislation from 1st January, 2024
From 1 January 2024, the NSW Government will commence Clause 58 “Audiometric testing” of the NSW WHS Regulation 2017. Under the Act a person conducting a business or undertaking must provide hearing assessments for any worker who is frequently required to use personal hearing protection to protect the worker from hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standards. The penalties set down in the act for failure to comply with the requirements for audiometric testing can be up to $7,700 for individuals and $35,000 for corporations.
There are 2 elements to the legislative requirements:
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A person conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace must ensure that the noise that a worker is exposed to at the workplace does not exceed the exposure standard for noise.
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The person conducting the business or undertaking who provides the personal protective equipment as a control measure must provide audiometric testing for the worker.
But does this really affect my business?
If any of your staff are required to wear hearing protection, then yes. This legislation applies to you and you will be required to conduct hearing assessments, and industrial noise testing for your employees.
A baseline hearing assessment must now be conducted within 3 months of an employee commencing work and monitoring tests are required every 2 years thereafter. High-risk groups require annual monitoring assessments.
At Telex Hearing Care, our Clinicians hold WorkCover accreditation, enabling them to conduct comprehensive audiological assessments, including baseline evaluations and ongoing monitoring.
Industrial Testing
Noise exposure can cause irreversible hearing loss. It is the most common preventable cause of occupational hearing loss.
Once acquired, it is irreversible and can have a significant impact on a worker’s life. Workers’ compensation claims can also be costly and damage the reputation of employers.
Contact Telex today to organise your workplace assessments!
Send an email to tests@telexhearing.com.au
Or complete the enquiry form below for more information or to book industrial testing for your workplace.
Assessment Types
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The initial assessment takes place within three months of a new employee’s start date. This assessment remains valid for a decade, serving as a reference point against which subsequent monitoring assessments are compared. To establish an accurate baseline, this evaluation occurs after the employee has experienced approximately 16 hours of relative quiet. After a decade, a new Baseline Assessment is conducted, and future monitoring assessments are compared to this updated baseline.
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These assessments are scheduled every 12 to 24 months and are ideally conducted during or shortly after a work shift involving noise exposure. This timing is crucial because exposure to noise can lead to temporary reductions in an employee’s hearing abilities. Such temporary changes serve as a clear warning that continued exposure to the same noise levels may result in permanent hearing loss. This monitoring process encourages employees to prioritize the use of hearing protection while also allowing businesses to assess their noise management practices.