Noise Management SWMS

Noise-induced hearing loss is the most prevalent occupational disease in Australian manufacturing. Noise exposure above 85 dB(A) over an 8-hour shift causes progressive, irreversible damage to the inner ear that accumulates over years of exposure. Manufacturing environments routinely exceed this threshold during machine operation, grinding, pressing, packaging, and general production activities. The WHS Regulation 2025 requires PCBUs to eliminate or minimise noise exposure so far as is reasonably practicable, provide hearing protection where exposure exceeds 85 dB(A), and implement audiometric testing programs. This template maps controls to the binding Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss Code of Practice effective 1 July 2026.

Legal Requirements

regulation

WHS Regulation 2025 Part 4.3 — Noise

hrcw category

Work in noise-hazardous areas

code of practice

Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work (binding 1 July 2026 under Section 26A)

section 26a binding

Yes — effective 1 July 2026. Non-compliance is admissible as evidence of breach.

Hazards

Hazard	Consequence	Likelihood
Sustained noise exposure above 85 dB(A) during production	Progressive noise-induced hearing loss	Almost Certain
Peak noise events above 140 dB(C) from impact processes	Immediate hearing damage, tinnitus	Possible
Inability to hear warning signals in high-noise areas	Failure to respond to alarms, vehicle strikes	Possible
Communication difficulty in noise-hazardous areas	Misunderstanding instructions, unsafe actions	Likely
Tinnitus from cumulative noise exposure	Permanent ringing in ears, sleep disturbance, mental health effects	Likely
Hearing protection not worn or worn incorrectly	Unprotected noise exposure, accelerated hearing loss	Likely

Controls (Hierarchy of Controls)

Conduct noise exposure assessments for every production role using calibrated noise dosimeters

Implement engineering noise reduction including enclosures, vibration isolation, and silencers

Designate and sign noise-hazardous areas where exposure exceeds 85 dB(A)

Provide hearing protection with adequate SLC80 rating for the noise levels in each area

Implement an audiometric testing program with baseline and annual testing for all noise-exposed workers

Maintain a hearing protection fitting program to ensure correct insertion and seal

Install visual warning signals in addition to audible alarms in high-noise areas

Limit exposure time in high-noise areas through job rotation and scheduling where engineering controls are insufficient

Recent Prosecutions

Orica Australia Pty Ltd$1,200,000

Multiple WHS failures in industrial operations including inadequate noise and chemical exposure controls.

2024 — SafeWork NSW v Orica Australia Pty Ltd [2024]

SafeWork SA prosecution$840,000

Manufacturing worker safety failures including inadequate hazard controls.

2024 — SafeWork SA Manufacturing Prosecution [2024]

What Your SWMS Must Include

✓Noise exposure assessment results for every production role

✓Noise-hazardous area designations with signage locations

✓Hearing protection selection with SLC80 ratings matched to noise levels

✓Audiometric testing program with baseline and annual testing schedule

✓Engineering noise reduction plan with implementation timeline

Need a compliant Noise Management SWMS?

Our acoustics consultants build facility-specific noise management programs that reduce exposure, implement audiometric testing, and meet WHS Regulation 2025 requirements.