Noise and Vibration
Information on noise and vibration in the workplace
Noise at the workplace is the major cause of noise-induced hearing loss in Western Australia. Noise can also create stress, and can be a safety hazard at work, interfering with communication, acting as a distraction and making warnings harder to hear. Reducing noise levels at the source provides the most effective way of protecting workers' hearing as well as providing numerous other benefits to workplaces.
Freqently asked questions
- What is a 'safe' level of noise?
- Why should an employer spend money on noise reduction - especially to save only a few decibels?
- How can noise levels of loud machines and equipment be reduced?
Resources available for this subject
General
- An introduction to noise at work
- Code of practice Managing noise at workplaces
- Noise ready reckoner
- Building quiet - Acoustic enclosures, barriers and isolation
- Buying quiet
- Working quiet
- Hazards using personal music players at work (opens to new window)
- Ototoxic-Chemicals that result in hearing loss
- Hearing Awareness Week is an event which is held every year. Every two years Managing Noise in the 21st Century has been published as a special liftout in the West Australian newspaper.
- Audio/visual demonstrations of noise induced hearing loss
- Noise reduction ideas bank
- NASA's buy quiet program and guide
- Open-plan offices - good , cost-effective acoustical design
- Principles of noise control with practical examples
- Noise management at work control guide (Safe Work Australia)
- Hearing protector attenuation data
- Noise assessors
- FAQ
- Contact details
- SafetyLine Institute - Noise and vibration
Agriculture
Construction industry
- Practical approach to noise management in the construction industry
- Noise management data sheets: Circular saws (handheld)
- Noise management data sheets: Electric hand shears
- Report on noise control in the construction industry project 2001/02
- Successful noise management in construction
Cultural and recreational services
- Code of practice Control of noise in the music entertainment industry
- Noise control in the music entertainment industry project - summary report 2000
- Noise in WA music entertainment venues - A follow-up study 2004-2006
- Noise control case study - Quieter nightclubs
Education
Manufacturing
- Metal manufacturing noise control
- Noise management data sheet: angle grinder
- Noise management data sheet: band saw
- Noise management data sheet: bench/pedestal grinder
- Noise management data sheet: buzzer/planer
- Noise management data sheet: circular saw (fixed)
- Noise management data sheet: combination machine
- Noise management data sheet: cut off saw
- Noise management data sheet: electric drills
- Noise management data sheet: mitre saw
- Noise management data sheet: radial arm saw
- Noise management data sheet: router
- Noise management data sheet: sander (belt)
- Noise management data sheet: sander/linisher
- Noise management data sheet: sander (orbital)
- Noise management data sheet: thicknesser
- Successful noise management in manufacturing
Personal and other services
- Noise management data sheets: Brushcutter
- Noise management data sheets: Chainsaw
- Noise management data sheets: Reel mower
- Noise management data sheets: Ride on mowers
- Noise management data sheets: Rotary lawn mower
Property and business services
- Related publications and downloads