Audiometric Testing Requirements NSW

From 1 January 2024, the NSW Government will commence Clause 58 - Audiometric Testing of the NSW WHS Regulation 2017.

An exemption to the clause was granted under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, commencing 1 January 2022 but will expire on 31 December 2023.

This means that from that date, you, as an employer, will be required to provide audiometric testing to any of your workers who are exposed to high noise levels in the workplace. That’s any worker who is frequently required to use personal protective hearing equipment to protect themselves from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard.

What is a Noisy Workplace?

A noisy workplace is one in which workers are exposed to more than 85 decibels on average over eight hours at work. Machines like blenders, lawnmowers and leaf blowers are around 85 decibels. This rule depends on decibels and time exposed. For example, the risk at 91 decibels over two hours is the same as 85 decibels over eight hours.

If you decide that a worker needs to frequently wear personal hearing protection to protect them from noise above the noise exposure standard, you must provide the worker with audiometric testing.

Workers must never be exposed to a noise level above 140 decibels. Any exposure above this level could instantly damage hearing. Sledgehammering or gunshots can be 140 decibels or higher.

About Clause 58

Clause 58 - Audiometric Testing has been the subject of consecutive exemption orders for some time. However, following extensive consultation with stakeholders last year, feedback showed clear support to have Clause 58 commence at the expiry of the most recent exemption order.

As a result, SafeWork NSW has approved its commencement from 1 January 2024.

Clause 58 requires that audiometric assessment must be provided within three months of commencement and every two years thereafter. This means that from 1 January, any new worker will be required to be tested within three months of commencement and any existing workers on that date will need to be tested within two years.

Safework NSW recognises that the implementation of clause 58 will require changes to practices and priorities in some workplaces.

Prior to 31 December 2023, SafeWork NSW will be developing and distributing a range of guidance material.

SafeWork NSW encourages NSW businesses to start consultation to determine what the implementation of Clause 58 means for them.

Audiometric Testing - Commencement of Clause 58 of the NSW WHS Regulation 2017

Following extensive consultation with stakeholders across 2022, feedback showed clear support from stakeholders to have Clause 58 commence at the expiry of the existing exemption order.

As a result, the NSW Government has approved its commencement from 1 January 2024.

This is a recorded session adopted from a live webinar discussing these important changes.

Considerations

While requirements under Clause 58 are triggered by the use of PPE such as ear plugs or ear muffs to protect workers when noise levels exceed the exposure standard, under Clause 36 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation, the hierarchy of control must be applied to any WHS risk – including noise.

PPE can only be used to manage any residual risk after control measures such as elimination, isolation, substitution, engineering or administrative controls have first been applied or deemed ineffective.

SafeWork NSW expects that businesses will consult with workers throughout the process and apply the hierarchy of control before settling on hearing PPE.

Let Assist Group Help

We offer audiometric testing as per the AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 Occupational Noise Management: Part 4 (Auditory Assessment) standard. This means we can help you meet your Work Health and Safety Regulation Clause 58 requirements.

We recommend carrying out an audio assessment at pre-employment, which will help you comply with the three-month timeframe to test new workers.

Our audiometric assessments of your workers include:

• A review of previous noise exposure (both work and non-work related)
• Identification of known, pre-existing ear and hearing issues
• Standard air conduction audiogram
• Employee PPE (ear plugs/ear muffs) inspection and instruction on correct use (available on request)
• Audiograms results with associated recommendations

We can also analyse company-wide results to identify trends between hearing abnormalities and sections within your company, and compare present results with previous audiogram assessment results.

We can offer our audiogram assessments both in clinic and on site at your workplace.

To find out more about what we offer and to get a quote for a workplace audiometric testing program, please visit our audiometric testing page.