[Name of Organization] 

Sound Pollution at Workplace Policy and Procedure  

  1. Introduction 

Noise at workplace causes deafness and leads to absenteeism, employee turnover, and lowered work performance. Moreover, it contributes to workplace injuries and accidents. Managing the risk related to noise will assist in: 

  • protecting workers from hearing loss as well as disabling tinnitus (ringing in the ears or head) 

  • recovering the conditions for communication and hearing warning sounds, and 

  •  creating a less stressful and more productive work environment. 

This policy and procedure provides a framework for managing exposure to noise at workplace and for lowering the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. 

  1. Purpose/objective  

The objectives of [YOUR COMPANY NAME]’s policy and procedures are to promote engineering noise control measures as the main approach to reducing and managing noise levels at work. Moreover, it stresses on the recognition and understanding of the effects of workplace exposure to noise, and the reduction and management of exposure to excessive noise through consultation between employer and employees.  

  1. Application 

This sound pollution policy applies to all employees and all applicants for employment of [YOUR COMPANY NAME]. 

  1. Identifying the hazards 

The potential for noise to be hazardous is not always apparent. Hazard identification is a way to find out the work activities that have the potential to contribute to hearing loss or other harm caused by noise. Managers and supervisors are to identify the sources of hazardous noise.  

Managers and supervisors have to  

  1. Inspect the workplace 

  1. Review the available information regarding the noise level from: 

  • suppliers or manufacturers of plant and equipment used at the workplace  

  • information and advice about risks and hazards relevant to particular industries and work activities  

  1. Check whether any workers’ compensation claims have been made for hearing loss  

  1. Check whether any hearing loss or tinnitus has been found during repeat audiometric testing.  

Managers and supervisors also have to 

  1. Consult with workers and health and safety representatives, prepare a list of the noisy activities, which can pose a risk to the health and safety of employees at the workplace.   

  1. If unsure how to minimise or eliminate the risks effectively, take the next step to assess the risks of hearing loss.  

  1. Assessing the hazards  

For any activities, which may expose workers to hazardous noise, Managers and supervisors need to: 

  1. Reduce the exposures to below the standard immediately, or if not reasonably practicable  

  1. Measure the hazard by carrying out a noise assessment.  

Managers and supervisors also have to ensure that a noise assessment is carried out  

  1. by a competent person; 

  1. And, in accordance with the Code. 

 

  1. Controlling the risks  

The manager or supervisor should be responsible for ensuring: 

  1. The risks are eliminated, or if this is not reasonably practicable, the risks are minimised so far as is reasonably practicable. 

  1. The hierarchy of control is worked through to choose the control measure, which most effectively eliminates or minimises the risk in the circumstances. 

 

  1. Information, training, and instruction  

Training is to be provided to: 

  • those employees who may be exposed to hazardous noise or other agents that can cause or contribute to hearing loss 

  • their managers and supervisors  

  • those, who are responsible for the purchase of noise control equipment, personal hearing protectors, scheduling, organisation, and layout of work.  

Information, training, and instruction provided to workers should include: 

  1. The health and safety responsibilities of each party at the workplace  

  1. How hearing can be affected by exposure to noise  

  1. The detrimental effects hearing loss and tinnitus have on the quality of life 

  1. The task at the workplace, which have the potential to give rise to hearing issues  

  1. How to use noise control measure  

  1. How to select, fit, wear, maintain, and store personal hearing protectors and protective equipment  

  1. How to report defects in hearing protectors and noise control equipment or raise any concerns related to hazardous noise , and 

  1. The purpose and nature of audiometric testing.   

 

  1. Responsibilities  

   Employer’s responsibility 

The employer has the responsibility to ensure a safe environment. And to do so, employers should ensure that  

  1. Statutory requirement are complied with a noise control policy and action program are developed  

  1. all levels of management and employees are well-aware of the control measures to reduce exposure to noise 

  1. all contractors and employees are encouraged to cooperate in using agreed safe work practices  

  1. information on noise, the risks of exposure to noise, as well as the appropriate control measures are communicated in a way appropriate to the workplace 

  1. a comprehensive personal hearing program is implemented, along with selection of personal hearing protectors, and instruction in their proper use and maintenance 

  1. employees receive appropriate training when required    

    Employees’ responsibility 

  1. Employees should be responsible to make sure that their own health and safety in relation to workplace noise, and avoid badly affecting the hearing or safety and health of others. 

  1. Employees should comply as far as they are reasonably capable with safety and health instructions given by their employer relating to noise management, as well as hearing perfection.  

 

  1. Implementation and overview   

The company will periodically monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Policy and Procedures. 

 

Date: