Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00426:reg:0:p6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00426
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 0 (pt 6/20)
Character Range: 37436–40256

which a person is exposed by reducing the time they are exposed to it. Examples include:
    * organising schedules so that noisy work is done when only a few workers are present
    * notifying workers and others in advance of noisy work so they can limit their exposure to it
    * keeping workers out of noisy areas if their work does not require them to be there
    * sign-posting noisy areas and restricting access
    * providing quiet areas for rest breaks for workers exposed to noisy work
    * limiting the time workers spend in noisy areas by moving them to quiet work before their daily noise exposure levels exceed the exposure standard.
If you rely on administrative controls, you should conduct regular checks to ensure that they are being complied with.

5.6 Using personal hearing protectors

Regulation 44: If personal protective equipment (PPE) is to be used at the workplace, the person conducting the business or undertaking must ensure that the equipment is:
    * selected to minimise risk to health and safety
    * suitable for the nature of the work and any hazard associated with the work
    * a suitable size and fit and reasonably comfortable for the person wearing it
    * maintained, repaired or replaced so it continues to minimise the risk
    * used or worn by the worker, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Regulation 46: A worker must, so far as reasonably able, wear the PPE in accordance with any information, training or reasonable instruction.
Personal hearing protectors, such as ear-muffs or ear-plugs, should be used in the following circumstances:

    * when the risks arising from exposure to noise cannot be eliminated or minimised by other more effective control measures,
    * as an interim measure until other control measures are implemented
    * where extra protection is needed above what has been achieved using other noise control measures.
If the use of personal hearing protectors is necessary, it is important that the hearing protectors are worn throughout the period of exposure to noise. Removing personal hearing protectors for even short periods significantly reduces the effective attenuation (noise reduction) and might provide inadequate protection. For example, a worker wearing a hearing protector for a full 8-hour day will receive the 30 dB maximum protection level. However, one hour without wearing the hearing protector causes the maximum protection level to fall to 9 dB.
Areas where people may be exposed to hazardous noise should be sign-posted as hearing protector areas and the boundaries of these areas should be clearly defined. Workers and other persons, including managers and visitors, should not enter these areas without wearing appropriate personal hearing protectors, regardless of how short the time they stay in the hearing