Guide to ear protection when working with noise pollution

From nail guns to grinders, mobile plants and more, tools and machines that pump out noise pollution are everywhere on worksites. And while a lot of that’s just normal for a busy site, some can be dangerous. Loud sounds – either in short bursts or over a long period of time – can easily damage your ears, leaving you with reduced hearing or in extreme cases, none at all. We’ve put together some hearing and ear protection guidelines to ensure you and your team are safe from noise pollution.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Overview: statistics and how to protect your hearing in the workplace and on jobsites

●Noise should be an average of less than 85dB (decibels) over an eight-hour period and a maximum (peak) noise level of 140dB.

●For every three-decibel increase in the noise level, the amount of time a worker can be exposed before hearing damage occurs halves.

●Hearing protection used must lower the level of noise entering the wearer’s ears to 85dB or lower, averaged over an eight-hour period. 

●Hearing Australia reports that 11 per cent of Australians have experienced damage from workplace noise.

●Acoustic trauma is immediate and permanent hearing loss can occur when a person is exposed to noise at greater than 140dB.

How much noise pollution is too much?

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations), noise should be an average of less than 85dB (decibels) over an eight-hour period and a maximum (peak) noise level of 140dB.

To put that in perspective, Worksafe Victoria says a jet engine at 30 metres will register about 140dB, with a rivet hammer not far behind at 130dB, a rock drill at 120dB, a chainsaw or angle grinder at about 110dB and a lawn mower (the old petrol-driven version) is around 90dB. Once your ears have been exposed to the noise pollution, it doesn’t take long for damage to start.

As a young builder, David Richard spent eight years building pole houses, working long days on a chainsaw and cutting slabs with no hearing protection. After that, he moved into more regular construction using nail guns in enclosed spaces, again with no hearing PPE.

At the time, he thought he was fine, but the years of unchecked noise have taken a toll. After noticing his hearing wasn’t what it used to be – and with a persistent ringing and chirping in his ears – he had his hearing tested and found he has a 41 per cent hearing loss in his left ear and 43 per cent loss in his right.

At 66 years old, the Sydney builder is still working, but now with hearing aids. He wishes he’d worn ear protection over those many years. “When I started out you just didn’t wear ear muffs,” he says. “There was no mention of it when I was at TAFE and it wasn’t the done thing on worksites. It was a bit of a macho thing, too … but I look back now and wish I’d done things differently. I hear about half as well as other people now.”

How much exposure to high decibel sounds damages your hearing?

That cumulative damage David has experienced is typical of being around noise pollution regularly over a period of time. However, you don’t even have to be around it regularly to cause damage.

“For every three-decibel increase in the noise level, the amount of time a worker can be exposed before hearing damage occurs halves,” says Dr Rebecca Newton, Branch Manager of Hazard and Industries Policy at Safe Work Australia. “For example, at an average noise level of 88dB, a worker can only be exposed for four hours. As a good rule of thumb, if you have to raise your voice to talk to someone about a metre away, you are likely being exposed to hazardous noise levels.”

Hearing Australia reports that 11 per cent of Australians have experienced damage from workplace noise and almost 25 per cent of Australians know someone suffering workplace-related hearing damage. “Acoustic trauma is immediate and permanent hearing loss can occur when a person is exposed to noise at greater than 140dB,” Dr Newton says. “This is often the result of sudden bursts of noise, such as sledgehammering.”

What ear protection do I need to protect my ears?

The first and most obvious step is to find the right hearing protection PPE – ear muffs or ear plugs – and wear it.

“The hearing protection used must lower the level of noise entering the wearer’s ears to 85dB or lower, averaged over an eight-hour period,” Dr Newton says. “The level of hearing protection differs depending on the type chosen and the most suitable type may vary depending on the task – for example, ear muffs may not be appropriate for workers wearing hard hats.” There is, however, ear protection available in the form of detachable ear muffs for helmets.

Don’t always assume the highest protection level is automatically the best – you also have to be able to communicate with workmates.

Turn it down

It’s also important to carry out a noise assessment measuring noise pollution sound levels during a typical day to see if there is any hazardous noise, what’s making it and what protective measures may need to be put in place.

“Noise assessments are technical, and it is recommended you get a competent person with the right qualifications to conduct one,” Dr Newton says. Remember, it’s not just workers who are at risk. Anyone on or near the site can be at risk and they need to be made aware of the hazards, she cautions.

“If a noisy task is likely to cause disruption to others in the area around a worksite – for
example, people working or living next door – you can share with them details of the work you are completing,” Dr Newton says. “This will allow them to assess their own risk and take any necessary steps to protect their hearing.”

More safe work guidelines and regulations

Want to ensure your team is working safely? Check out tradie worksite safety tips.