Should my workplace try eliminating or minimising noise at the source?
Yes. If a noise assessment identifies that workers have exceeded the noise exposure standards, the PCBU must try to eliminate the risk of hearing loss.
Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate, the PCBU must minimise the risk by applying the hierarchy of controls outlined under Part 3.1 of the WHS Regulation 2017.
Where higher order controls e.g., engineering or isolation, have been applied, but the risk of noise above the exposure standards remains, the PCBU must also apply lower order controls e.g., administrative or hearing protection, to protect the worker from hearing loss.
Find further information about noise controls at Hazardous noise and hearing loss at work: the facts and the NSW Code of Practice – Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work (PDF, 1377.23 KB).