Protecting Hearing Health in the Workplace
Protecting Hearing Health in the Workplace
At Hayden Health & Safety, we understand the critical importance of protecting your employees’ hearing in compliance with industry regulations, including WH&S Regulations Section 58. Our audiometric testing services are designed to monitor and preserve hearing health, helping you maintain a safe and compliant workplace.
What to Expect During Your Hearing Assessment
- A typical hearing assessment usually takes around 15 minutes to complete, minimising downtime for your employees.
- The test is straightforward—employees simply sit in a soundproof booth and press a response button whenever they hear various tones, which are played by the technician. We have to obtain 2 responses before the result is recorded, unlike some tests which are just set on automatic, which do not achieve the same level of result.
- Our experienced technicians ensure that the testing process is comfortable and stress-free, guiding your team through each step.
Compliance, Testing, Reporting and Assessments
Regulatory Compliance and Testing Guidelines
Our services adhere to AS/NZS 1269.4:2014 and the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, Section 58. The following testing schedule is recommended as a industry benchmark of good practice –
- Baseline Testing: Conducted within three months of employment for workers exposed to significant noise levels.
- Regular Testing: Every two years for most employees, with increased frequency for those in higher-risk environments.
- Exit Testing: Performed when an employee leaves, providing a final record of their hearing status.
Detailed Reporting and Noise Assessments
- We deliver detailed reports on test results, helping you track and manage your employees’ hearing health over time.
- We also offer occupational noise assessments compliant with AS/NZS 1269.1:2005 to identify and mitigate workplace noise risks.
Committed to Workplace Safety
Hayden Health & Safety is dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy and compliant work environment. Reach out to us to learn more about our audiometric testing and noise assessment services, and take proactive steps to protect your employees’ hearing.
Hearing Assessments FAQs
A hearing assessment typically involves audiometric testing, where the individual wears headphones in a soundproof booth and listens to a series of tones at various frequencies and volumes. The individual presses a response button when they hear the tone, allowing the tester to determine the individuals hearing threshold at each frequency.
Hearing assessments should be conducted annually for employees exposed to high noise levels, or more frequently if there are concerns about hearing loss. Initial baseline testing should be conducted within the first three months of employment in a noisy environment.
If hearing loss is detected, the employee may be referred to a specialist for further evaluation. Additionally, the workplace may need to review the staff members current PPE to ensure that it is Fit For Purpose as well as implementing stricter noise controls to prevent further hearing loss.
Yes, under WHS regulations, employers are required to conduct regular hearing assessments for workers exposed to noise levels above the safe threshold (85 dB(A) over an 8-hour workday). This helps to monitor and prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
Yes, we offer on-site hearing assessments using our mobile testing vehicles. This allows for minimal disruption to your operations while ensuring compliance with WHS regulations.
Testimonials from our partners
We’ve worked with Hayden Health & Safety for our Audiometric Tests and Occupational Noise Assessments. Booking with them is easy—just a quick email followed by a call to confirm. They were onsite for 3-4 days and did a great job accommodating our shift schedules, starting as early as 4 am and staying until 8:30 pm to fit in all team members. We’ve found them to be flexible and reliable, making the process smooth and straightforward.