Is Noise a Problem in Your School?

Is Noise a Problem in your School?

Noise induced hearing loss often goes unrecognised or is ignored. It is generally progressive in onset and permanent and the effect of hearing loss can be quite widespread. Apart from the direct effect of noise exposure on a person's hearing, a reduction in one's ability to hear may result in fatigue, stress, irritation, a feeling of isolation and communication problems.

Three sorts of noise can harm hearing:

extremely loud and sharp noises (eg. gunfire) which give a significant, almost instantaneous hearing loss
more ordinary levels of noise (eg. the sound from an airconditioning unit) which are harmful over a long period

impact noise (eg. hammering) which is also harmful with continuous exposure.

Noise induced hearing loss is preventable. Therefore, the development and implementation of measures to reduce the level of noise at the workplace are essential.

The staff and other employees working with machines and other noise generating pieces of equipment, often know the source of the noise and may have solutions or recommendations for reducing or eliminating it. This is especially relevant with staff working in workshop areas of high schools and grounds maintenance staff.

The next most effective way to reduce the level of noise is to eliminate the transmission of noise. This can be achieved by enclosing the noisy section of the machine, isolating the operator from the machine (eg. in a sound proof booth) or lining walls with a sound absorbent material.

Personal Protective Equipment

The least effective method of reducing exposure to noise is the use of personal protective equipment such as ear muffs, ear plugs or other devices.

The type of Personal Protective Equipment supplied must be suitable to protect against the hazard. The needs of the individual student, staff member and/or other employee should be considered as well as the type of hearing protection required.

Personal protective equipment should be used if other methods of noise reduction are not feasible, or as an interim measure while other measures are being developed and implemented.

Managing Noise

All factories are required by law to carry out a noise hazard assessment survey conducted in accordance with the regulations set out in the Australian Standard 1269 - Hearing Conservation. The workshop areas in high schools are also covered by this regulation.

The Principal is expected to comply with the specific noise regulations which exist under OH&S Act 2000.These regulations require the employer (the Principal in schools) to assess the noise level at the workplace and to reduce noise exposure if the legal limit of 85dB is exceeded.

A noise management program should be developed and implemented in a school. The program should include a noise management policy and should detail how the program will reduce noise in the known hazard areas. A noise management policy should include:

goals for reducing noise exposure
the long term and short term plans for achieving the stated goals
the responsibilities of all staff members in implementing the noise policy

The noise management program should also include a purchasing policy which has been developed to ensure that one of the criteria for selecting and purchasing new equipment for the school is the noise level.

The person/s responsible for the purchasing of equipment needs to be aware of these issues and may need to obtain expert advice from outside organisations.

To enable appropriate decision making both the Principal and the staff exposed to noise hazards need to be informed and understand the effect that excess noise exposure can have on their hearing and health.

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