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EduSafe @ Curtin
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EduSafe Policies and Procedures @ Curtin

HEARING CONSERVATION POLICY AND PROGRAM

1.0 GENERAL

The Hearing Conservation Program has been developed in accordance with the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act, 1984; Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations, 1988; Worker's Compensation and Rehabilitation Act, 1981; Australian Standard 1269/1989; and the Code of Practice for Noise Control in the Workplace.

The intention of this program is to:

  1. motivate and educate staff to be responsible for their part of the program;
  2. assess noise in the workplace;
  3. provide appropriate warning and information signs;
  4. introduce, as practical, engineering control measures to reduce noise levels;
  5. reduce noise exposures through time management;
  6. provide personal hearing protection; and
  7. provide audiometric testing for those employees where exposure to an action level is identified or probable.

2.0 UNIVERSITY NOISE CONTROL STRATEGY

2.1 University Commitment

The University shall reduce as far as is practicable the noise received by each employee in their workplace.

2.2 Prescribed Action Level for Noise

The University shall adopt the Proposed National Action Level initiative. That is:

  • an Lpeak of 140dB(lin); or
  • an LAeq,8h of 85 dB(A).

    • 2.3 Noise Survey

    A screening survey of all areas of University campuses that are likely to exceed the prescribed action level shall be conducted as required. The purpose of this survey to identify and confirm noise hazards to which employees may be exposed to an action level.

    2.3.1 Noise Report

    Where it has been identified that an employee is likely to be receiving a noise dose greater than the prescribed action level, the University shall cause a Noise Report to be prepared. This report shall be compiled in accordance with approved procedures through the use of approved sound measurement equipment and by a registered Noise Officer.

    2.3.2 Additional Noise Report

    The University shall cause an additional noise report to be prepared when:

    • a previously identified area is likely to have experienced an increase of 5dB(A) or more in the peak noise level or that to which the employees are exposed; or
    • 5 years has elapsed since the last report and an employee remains likely to be receiving a noise dose exceeding the prescribed action level.

    2.4 Control Measures

    In any location identified as an action zone, the University shall reduce the exposure as far as is practicable, through (in order):

    1. engineering noise control;
    2. management of time exposed;
    3. providing appropriately selected and maintained personal hearing protection; and
    4. displaying safety warning signs regarding the wearing of personal hearing protection;

    so that the employees exposure does not exceed the prescribed action level and is reduced as far as is practicable.

    IMPORTANT NOTE: Personal Hearing Protection shall ONLY be used as an interim measure of control. Control measures (i) and (ii) must be employed to reduce exposure in the long term.

    2.5 Audiometric Testing

    The University shall conduct audiometric testing of all employees who are likely to be exposed to an action level.

    An audiometric test shall be carried out in an approved facility and conducted by approved personnel. The results of the testing shall be delivered to the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Commission within one month of the test. The results and information derived from the test shall not be communicated to any person other than at the written request of the employee tested or Staff Services.

      1. Existing Employees
        Baseline audiometric testing for existing employees currently exposed to an action level shall be commenced in 1993. Employees not employed to work in such areas may apply to the Work Environment Unit of Staff Services for inclusion in the testing program. Applications will be assessed on risk of exposure to a noise hazard.
      2. Pre-employment and Redeployment of Employees
        Pre-employment testing shall occur for any appointment made where the employee is likely to be exposed to an action level. Any existing staff member being redeployed to a position exposing them to such levels shall also be tested.
      3. Arranging the Test
        The University will arrange and bear the costs for testing of staff involved in the program.
        To arrange testing of new employees and redeployed employees it shall be necessary for clear indication to be made on the Recommendation for Appointment form. The officer responsible for completion of this form shall be requested to assess the likelihood of the employee's exposure to a noise hazard and subsequent recommendation for testing.
      4. Follow-Up Tests
        Follow-up tests for all employees enrolled in the program will be conducted on an annual basis.
      5. Cease of Employment
        All staff enrolled in the program shall have a final audiometric test at the cease of employment with the University. It shall be the responsibility of the immediate supervisor to ensure this final test is conducted.

    2.6 Training Program

    The University shall provide an instructional and training program for employees that are exposed to an action level covering the following topics:

    2.6.1 General

    1. University Policy - Hearing Conservation Policy and Program;
    2. the hearing process;
    3. the harmful effects of noise;
    4. how to decrease the risks of hearing loss;
    5. noise characteristics and measurement;
    6. audiometric testing; and
    7. legal responsibilities.

    2.6.2 Noise Control

    1. management of noise exposure:
      • time restrictions
      • restricted/alternative operating times;
    2. quieter working techniques and practices;
    3. maintenance of noise control equipment; and
    4. detection and reporting of potential hazards relating to noise.

    2.6.3 Personal Hearing Protection

    1. fitting and use of personal hearing protection;
    2. maintenance and storage of personal hearing protection; and
    3. assessment of appropriate personal hearing protection.

    2.7 Register

    The University shall develop and maintain a register to record:

    1. all employees likely to be exposed to an action level and/or enrolled in the program;
    2. all noise reports prepared for the University;
    3. results of screening surveys and noise reports;
    4. action taken, or to be taken, in reducing noise levels in identified areas;
    5. results of audiometric testing and associated statistical analysis;
    6. staff who have had an audiometric test; and
    7. staff who have attended the Hearing Conservation Training Program.

    2.8 Environmental Noise

    The University shall ensure that environmental noise levels emanating from all campuses are maintained below that prescribed by local Council regulations.

    2.9 Duties of Manufacturers of Products

    (This point pertains to equipment and products that the University manufactures and uses locally and/or distributes externally).

    The University recognises the need to manufacture equipment for the purposes of research and testing. The manufacturer of such products shall:

    1. make a preliminary assessment of the noise that is likely to be emitted by each new product;
    2. arrange and/or conduct testing programs on existing products likely to result in a noise hazard;
    3. ensure that all plant and equipment is delivered complete with noise reducing equipment;
    4. put in place a testing program to assess the potential for noise hazards arising from the use or operation of the product;
    5. provide relevant information regarding noise levels where such noise may give rise to a noise hazard; and
    6. provide written information on proper use, methods of noise control, noise control attachments, design limitations, and methods of proper erection and installation.

    2.10 Duties of Designers

    The University is committed to ensuring that noise levels are controlled in the design phase of any operation or project. Hence the Properties Office shall:

    1. ensure that design features for all plants incorporate effective engineering noise controls;
    2. obtain agreement with architectural contractors on goals for noise control, make all contractors aware of the noise control policy, and establish a budget that will allow for effective noise controls at the design stage;
    3. consider the effect of building reverberation, the building layout and the location of workstations relative to plant on overall noise levels;
    4. consider the transmission of noise through structures and ducts;
    5. design for acoustical plant rooms and control rooms where appropriate;
    6. design acoustical treatments for external environmental control in a way that will reduce internal noise and vice versa; and
    7. ensure that accurate and complete written instructions, specifications and drawings are provided to manufacturers and installers so that each item of the plant, operation or project can be properly constructed to achieve design goals for noise.

    2.11 Purchasers and Installers of Plant and Equipment

    Schools, Departments and Areas of all University campuses must recognise their responsibilities in the purchase and installation of plant and equipment. They shall (where appropriate):

    1. request from the manufacturers all relevant noise test data not supplied with the plant or equipment;
    2. assess or request assessment of whether a noise hazard is likely to exist as a result of proper use or operation of the plant;
    3. ensure that all plant and equipment is delivered complete with noise reducing equipment;
    4. arrange for noise testing of plant or equipment for which no manufacturer's data is available, where it is suspected that the use or operation of the plant may result in a noise hazard; and
    5. provide all relevant information regarding noise emission levels where such noise may give rise to a noise hazard.

    2.12 Contracted Installers/Erectors (Internal or External)

    The contracted installer/erector shall:

    1. follow specific instructions provided by the manufacturer, importer or supplier for the erection or installation of all plant and equipment;
    2. consider factors which may increase the risk of a noise hazard, such as:
      • location of plant to workstations;
      • possibility of transmitting vibrations; and
      • possibility of airborne, duct borne or fluid borne noise being transmitted to other areas;
    3. advise the Properties Office as appropriate that in their opinion the specified location or method of installation/erection is such that it may give rise to a noise hazard.

    3.0 EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITIES

    3.1 General Care

    Under the general duty to take reasonable care in ensuring the health and safety of themselves and others at the workplace, the employee shall:

    1. provide appropriate warnings to other people in the workplace before noisy operations commence;
    2. operate equipment in manner which produces the lowest amount of noise; and
    3. ensure that, while machinery is operating, they and others in the workplace can hear warning signals even when wearing hearing protection.

    3.2 Complying with Instruction

    Employees shall so far as they are reasonably able follow the University's instructions that relate to steps taken to reduce noise or the length of time employees are exposed to noise. Hence, the employee shall comply with:

    1. instructions for obtaining and installing noise control equipment;
    2. instruction and training in the operation of noise control equipment;
    3. signs or directions to securely close any plant room doors, enclosure doors or access panels, or doors between noisy and quiet areas;
    4. instructions for the maintenance and cleaning of plant;
    5. agreed arrangements for job rotation, restricted operating times for noisy machines and restricted access to noisy areas; and
    6. instructions relating to the provision, use, cleaning and storage of personal hearing protectors.

    3.3 The Use of Hearing Protection

    Employees shall take reasonable care to:

    1. ensure that they clearly understand the information, instruction and training provided by the University as to when, where and how the personal hearing protectors are to be worn;
    2. keep hearing protectors readily available at the workplace;
    3. take an adequate supply of hearing protectors if moving outside the usual workplace;
    4. check for the presence of safety warning signs requiring the wearing of hearing protectors;
    5. ensure that hearing protectors fit properly and are worn every time they are required;
    6. maintain hearing protectors in a clean, serviceable condition or request replacement as necessary; and
    7. store hearing protectors appropriately when not in use.

    3.4 Misuse or Damage to Equipment

    Employees shall take care not to misuse or damage any equipment provided in the interests of reducing noise in the workplace.

    3.5 Reporting Hazards

    Employees shall report promptly to their supervisor any situation at the workplace which they believe may constitute a noise hazard.

    REVISION HISTORY

    Approved - C 271/93 (27/10/93) - Appendix 4 to Council minutes.
    23/1/01 - titles updated.
    j:\Policies\Old Format\Hearing Conservation\Current Version\2001 - Hearing Conservation Policy and Program - 23 January 2001

     

     

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