You may need to comply with this code if you conduct a business that involves hazardous noises or have a duty to manage the risks of hazardous noises.
Hazardous noise can destroy the ability to hear clearly and can also make it more difficult to hear the sounds necessary for working safely, such as instructions or warning signals. This code will help you manage the risk of hazardous noise by:
- protecting workers from hearing loss and disabling tinnitus (ringing in the ears or head)
- improving the conditions for communication and hearing warning sounds
Following this code of practice will assist you achieve compliance with your legal obligations under work health and safety laws. However, compliance with such obligations may be achieved by following another method, if it provides an equivalent or higher standard of work health and safety than that set out in this code.
Duty holders who have a role in managing noise and preventing hearing loss include:
- persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs)
- designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers and installers of plant, substances or structures
- officers
- workers
- other persons at the workplace.
