Noise
Too much noise at work can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss, or tinnitus – ringing in the ears. The damage can occur gradually, from extended exposure to noise or immediately, from exposure to a sudden explosive sound.
Safety in the sawmilling industry
Have your say on the new code of practice for the sawmilling industry. Survey closes Sunday 9 November 2025.
Noise is a known workplace hazard
Exposure to workplace hazardous noise can cause permanent hearing loss in workers, which destroys their ability to hear clearly. It makes it more difficult for them to hear sounds, including those that are necessary to work safely, such as verbal instructions – even warning signals.
There is strong evidence indicating that exposure to vibration and ototoxins can exacerbate the effects of noise on hearing. Workers who are exposed to noise and vibration or ototoxins together may be more likely to suffer from hearing loss.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the single greatest cause of permanent hearing loss in Australia – and it's also the most preventable. Over the past four years more than 10,000 workers have been affected by noise-related injuries in NSW workplaces, with more than 90 per cent left permanently disabled.
Find information about new hearing test requirements for NSW workers from 1 January 2024.
You must manage the risks of hearing loss from exposure to noise by following a systematic process that involves:
- identifying sources of noise that may cause or contribute to hearing loss
- if necessary, assessing the risks associated with these hazards
- implementing risk control measures, and
- reviewing risk control measures.
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Controlling noise in your industry
The top three industry sectors for hearing loss workers compensation claims are:
- manufacturing,
- construction, and
- amusement device industry
- transport / logistics / warehousing
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Webinars and videos
Find out more by watching these videos and webinars:
Noise safety in manufacturing
Listen to this webinar to help you manage noise risk in your workplace.
The webinar will help you to understand your work, health and safety legislative requirements and will provide you with guidance to implement strategies to reduce your noise risk.
This webinar is suitable for manufacturers.
An accessible version of this webinar is also available.
By attending this webinar you may be eligible to receive a small business rebate.
Protecting hearing at work
This webinar is aimed at individuals, businesses and organisations who have management & control of a workplace. The topics covered in this webinar are how hearing can be damaged, the relevant WHS legislation relating to noise, the hierarchy of controls (what this means) and the requirements for audio-metric testing.
An accessible version of this webinar is also available.
By attending this free webinar you may be eligible to receive the small business rebate.
Noise in manufacturing: YouTube video
SafeWork NSW Inspector, Tim Filan, talks about the impact of noise in manufacturing workplaces.