SafeWork SA introduces campaign to raise awareness about hearing loss

SafeWork SA has launched a six-month campaign starting this year to raise awareness about hearing loss risks in high-noise workplaces. The initiative targets industries where hazardous noise levels put workers at ongoing risk of permanent hearing damage.

This SafeWork SA campaign seeks to promote awareness regarding health risks associated with noise exposure across South Australian workplaces. Employers in affected sectors should review their current noise management practices now, ahead of scheduled compliance audits.

What the Campaign Covers

As part of this effort, SafeWork inspectors will conduct compliance audits across several industries, including:

• Manufacturing
• Warehousing
• Transport
• Construction
• Mining

These sectors were selected because plant and equipment used in daily operations often generate hazardous noise levels that exceed safe exposure limits. Construction sites, in particular, frequently rely on plant machinery capable of producing sustained, damaging sound.

Why Noise Management Matters for Compliance

SafeWork SA inspectors will evaluate how businesses manage noise to prevent workers from experiencing hearing loss, in line with work health and safety regulations. Effective noise control isn't just a health consideration — it forms a core part of broader workplace safety obligations under current legislation.

Industry operators running heavy plant should note that compliance extends beyond simply supplying hearing protection. According to SafeWork SA, robust management systems, engineering controls, and regular monitoring all contribute toward genuine compliance outcomes.

Statutory Notices for Non-Compliance

Businesses will receive statutory notices from inspectors once non-compliance has been detected. This approach mirrors similar enforcement strategies seen in previous safety campaigns, such as SafeWork SA's falls awareness campaign, which also combined education with targeted compliance checks.

Building a Stronger Safety Culture Across Industry

Hazardous noise exposure remains one of the most under-recognised risks across Australian industry sectors. Many operators underestimate cumulative damage caused by prolonged exposure to loud plant, tools, and machinery on site.

Businesses operating in construction and manufacturing can strengthen their safety posture by reviewing risk assessments, updating control measures, and ensuring documentation aligns with current health and safety standards. Comparable efforts, including the Resources Regulator's extreme heat awareness campaign and WorkSafe's engineered stone prohibition campaign, demonstrate a growing regulatory focus on preventable, industry-specific hazards.

Organisations seeking practical support can turn to resources such as Asbestos Awareness SWMS templates for guidance on documenting hazard controls, or review broader policy resources like the Training Competency & Awareness Policy to strengthen internal safety training frameworks.

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