Managing Workplace Noise and Hearing Loss

Information current: 5 August 2026

The direct answer is to identify noisy work before it begins, understand who may be exposed, and control the noise at its source wherever reasonably practicable. Earplugs and earmuffs remain important, but they should support stronger controls rather than become the whole noise strategy.

The Safe Work Australia Model Code uses an eight-hour exposure standard of 85 dB(A) and a peak standard of 140 dB(C). Exposure depends on both the noise level and how long people are exposed, so several shorter noisy jobs across a shift can still create a serious risk.

What are the main noise hazards?

Construction noise can come from saws, grinders, jackhammers, nail guns, compactors, compressors, generators, mobile plant, demolition, cutting and striking metal. Reflected sound inside sheds, rooms or partially enclosed structures can make the exposure worse.

Hazardous noise may gradually damage hearing or cause permanent hearing loss following very loud impact or explosive noise. It can also contribute to tinnitus and make it harder to hear instructions, reversing alarms, emergency warnings or nearby plant.

Other exposures can increase concern. Workers may experience noise together with hand-arm or whole-body vibration, while some solvents, heavy metals and asphyxiants can also affect hearing. These combined exposures should be considered when assessing the work.

What should be sorted before work starts?

Planning should begin with the actual tools, plant, materials, work area and expected duration—not a generic statement that hearing protection will be worn.

Before mobilisation or the start of a noisy stage, practical preparation commonly includes:

identifying noisy activities and everyone who could be exposed, including nearby trades, visitors and the public
checking manufacturer noise information and considering quieter plant, attachments or work methods
deciding whether a competent noise assessment is needed
coordinating the timing and location of noisy work with the principal contractor and other businesses
checking whether workers can still hear alarms, spotters and emergency instructions
selecting suitable hearing protection and arranging fit, cleaning, storage and replacement
confirming supervision, signage, exclusion areas and communication methods
planning maintenance and review of the controls.

Businesses sharing a workplace should exchange relevant information and coordinate their activities so that noise risks are not shifted from one crew to another.

What do good controls and documents usually cover?

Noise controls should follow the hierarchy of controls: first eliminate the source where reasonably practicable, then consider quieter substitution, isolation and engineering controls before relying on administrative controls and personal protective equipment.

On a building site, that can mean ordering quieter plant, using pre-cut materials, separating noisy work from other crews, increasing distance, installing barriers or enclosures, fitting silencers, damping vibrating panels, maintaining cutting equipment and limiting access to the work area.

Where hearing protection is required, it should be suitable for the noise, compatible with other PPE and worn throughout the exposure period. Even short periods without protection can substantially reduce the protection achieved.

Depending on the work and local requirements, supporting documents may include a noise risk assessment, noise assessment report, project risk register, plant information, site rules, induction or toolbox records, hearing-protection arrangements, maintenance records and audiometric-testing arrangements. The documents should identify responsibilities, controls, review triggers and the evidence to be retained.

When does a SWMS or site-specific document apply?

Noise alone does not determine whether a SWMS is required. A SWMS commonly applies when the noisy task is also high risk construction work under the requirements applying in that jurisdiction—for example, certain demolition, structural alteration, excavation or work near mobile plant.

Where a SWMS applies, its noise controls should match the actual task, plant, work area and interfaces with other trades. For other noisy work, a site-specific risk assessment, noise management plan, safe work procedure or coordinated site rule may be the more relevant document. Review the document when plant, methods, duration, location or surrounding work changes.

Practical warning signs

Stop and review the controls when:

workers must raise their voices to communicate at close range
someone reports ringing, muffled hearing or temporary dullness after a shift
alarms, radios, spotters or instructions cannot be heard clearly
workers repeatedly remove hearing protection to communicate
barriers, guards, silencers or enclosures are missing or damaged
a new tool, attachment, work area or extended shift changes the exposure
nearby crews or occupants raise concerns about the noise.

How Blue Safe can help

Blue Safe provides compliant WHS documents tailored to the client's activities, applicable Australian WHS/OHS requirements, jurisdiction and industry. Blue Safe guarantees the document compliance of the WHS documents it provides, including eligible customer documents after Blue Safe has reviewed and upgraded them.

This can include noise risk assessments, procedures, project documentation and SWMS content aligned with the way the work will actually be performed. Customers actively put the compliant documents into practice through controls, consultation, training, actions, records and evidence.

Official sources

Local requirements vary. Check current material from the regulator for the jurisdiction where the work occurs. A national Model Code provides useful general orientation but is not automatically the applicable law in every jurisdiction.

Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work