Product Overview

Summary: This NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) Analysis Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, repeatable method for assessing and controlling noise and vibration in vehicles, plant and equipment. It helps Australian businesses reduce worker exposure to harmful noise and vibration, improve product and asset quality, and demonstrate robust compliance with WHS and environmental requirements.

Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) are not just comfort and quality issues – they are critical WHS and operational risks that can lead to permanent hearing loss, hand–arm vibration syndrome, musculoskeletal disorders, and premature equipment failure. This NVH Analysis Safe Operating Procedure gives your organisation a clear, defensible framework for planning, conducting and documenting NVH assessments on vehicles, mobile plant, fixed machinery and other equipment. It defines how to measure noise and vibration using appropriate instruments, how to interpret the results against Australian exposure standards, and how to prioritise engineering and administrative controls.

Developed for Australian conditions, this SOP aligns NVH engineering practices with WHS obligations, bridging the gap between technical analysis and practical risk management. It supports organisations in automotive, manufacturing, mining, transport, defence, agriculture and heavy industry to identify problematic frequencies, sources of resonance and excessive noise levels before they become safety incidents or customer complaints. By standardising your NVH analysis process, you improve worker safety, product performance, asset reliability and regulatory compliance while creating a clear audit trail that can withstand regulator or client scrutiny.

Key Benefits

• Reduce worker exposure to hazardous noise and vibration by systematically identifying and controlling NVH sources.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and exposure standards for occupational noise and vibration.
• Standardise NVH testing methods across sites and teams, improving data quality, repeatability and decision‑making.
• Extend equipment life and reduce unplanned downtime by detecting damaging vibration and resonance early.
• Enhance product and asset quality by addressing NVH issues that impact operator comfort, usability and customer perception.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• HSE Advisors
• Plant and Maintenance Engineers
• Automotive Engineers
• Fleet Managers
• Manufacturing Engineers
• Test and Validation Engineers
• Workshop Supervisors
• Rail and Transport Engineers
• Mining and Quarry Operations Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Excessive occupational noise leading to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)
• Hand–arm vibration exposure from powered hand tools and controls
• Whole-body vibration exposure from mobile plant, vehicles and machinery
• Fatigue and reduced concentration due to continuous noise and vibration
• Mechanical failure or structural damage caused by uncontrolled vibration and resonance
• Secondary musculoskeletal injuries arising from harshness, shock and jolting during operation

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and NVH Concepts
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Reference Documents
• 5.0 NVH Risk Assessment and Planning
• 6.0 Equipment, Instrumentation and Calibration Requirements
• 7.0 Pre-Test Checks and Site/Vehicle Preparation
• 8.0 Noise Measurement Procedure (Static and Operational)
• 9.0 Vibration Measurement Procedure (Hand–Arm and Whole-Body)
• 10.0 Harshness and Subjective Evaluation Methodology
• 11.0 Data Recording, Analysis and Interpretation Criteria
• 12.0 Control Measures and Engineering Improvement Actions
• 13.0 Communication of Results, Reporting and Recordkeeping
• 14.0 Integration with WHS Risk Registers and Corrective Actions
• 15.0 Training, Competency and Consultation with Workers
• 16.0 Review, Continuous Improvement and Re-Testing Triggers
• 17.0 Appendices – Example Checklists, Data Sheets and NVH Test Templates

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and harmonised state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) – Part 4.1 Hazardous noise and hearing loss prevention
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
• AS/NZS 1269.1: Occupational noise management – Measurement and assessment of noise immission and exposure
• AS/NZS 1269.2: Occupational noise management – Noise control management
• AS/NZS 1269.4: Occupational noise management – Auditory assessment
• AS/NZS 60318 series: Electroacoustics – Simulators of human head and ear (for advanced NVH and acoustic testing environments)
• AS 2670.1: Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration – General requirements
• ISO 5349 series: Mechanical vibration – Measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration (commonly referenced in Australian practice)
• ISO 2631 series: Mechanical vibration and shock – Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration (commonly referenced in Australian practice)