Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can be detrimental to human hearing. This can lead to hearing impairment or hearing loss.

Employers should be responsible in identifying whether their employees are exposed to excessive noise levels at the workplace. This is stated in the Occupational Safety & Health Act, 1994 under the Occupational Safety & Health (Noise Regulation) 2019

Excessive Noise Levels means :

• daily noise exposure level exceeding 82dB(A)
• daily personal noise dose exceeding fifty per cent,
• maximum sound pressure level exceeding 115dB(A) at any time, or peak sound pressure level exceeding 140dB(C);

In the event, the above applies, then the Employer has to engaged a Noise Risk Assessor to conduct a Noise Risk Assessment at the workplace.

The Noise Risk Assessor will carry out the assessment using selected equipment such as Dosimeters and Sound Level Meter. Upon completion of the assessment the Assessor will prepare and submit a detailed report to the Employer. The report will include findings of and recommendation made by the Noise Risk Assessor in respect noise risk assessment which has been carried out.

The Noise Risk Assessment must be repeated by the Employer in the following circumstances:

• if there is a change in the machinery, equipment, process, work, control measures or operation at the place of work which may expose his employee to excessive noise;  
• not more than one year after the date of the previous identification; or  
• if directed to do so by the Director General.