With an outdoor staff of 150, Glenorchy City Council in Tasmania was concerned about the risk of noise induced hearing loss. With workers, including parks and gardens staff, operating a range of machinery, in 1994 Council introduced a ‘noise conservation program’. The program began with a survey to determine how much workers were being exposed to noise. This was followed by an assessment of each worker’s present level of hearing.
A plan was then devised to protect workers from excessive noise and educate them about the risks involved. Of particular concern was a misconception discovered among workers that short exposure to excess noise would not hurt or harm their hearing.
All Council machinery found to exceed the national safety standard had labels attached to them indicating that hearing protection must be worn during operation. All new equipment purchased is also immediately assessed and labelled if necessary.
For machinery exceeding the safe limit, ways to reduce the noise source were investigated and implemented. In other areas, noise exposure was reduced by rotating or rescheduling work so fewer staff were exposed. Where noise levels affected other workers, sound absorbing material was installed on walls to dampen the noise. Six monthly hearing tests are conducted to determine the ongoing effectiveness of the program.
“We have just completed our first bi annual monitoring and the results have been more than pleasing,” said Max Roberts, Glenorchy’s Risk Management Officer. “Many readings have improved indicating some workers had suffered temporary hearing loss due to heavy exposure.”
With compliance for wearing hearing protectors well accepted by staff, the program has proved very successful.
“Council has a duty of care to its employees to provide a safe workplace so we now have a system to prevent hearing loss at work and consequently improve the quality of life for our workers,” Max Roberts concluded.
For further information, contact Max Roberts telephone (03) 6274 0759.
