With hazardous noise increasingly accounting for major hearing loss in New South Wales workplaces, WorkCover NSW has announced it will hold a free webinar today on managing noise in the workplace.

 

General Manager of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, John Watson said under NSW work health and safety laws businesses must manage the risk of hearing loss from workplace noise.

 

“Hazardous noise can destroy the ability to hear clearly and make working safely more difficult,” Mr Watson said.

 

“During 2010/11 there were 3,209 claims for hearing loss at an estimated cost of more than $54 million to the NSW WorkCover Scheme.

 

“Hearing damage generally occurs gradually over a number of years and is often irreversible. 


“Hearing can also be damaged immediately from exposure to impulse noise such as explosive powered nail guns, firearms and stamping presses.”

 

The webinar is part of WorkCover’s Focus on Industry program which targets the 10 highest risk industries in NSW as well as the five most common injuries and illnesses within these industries. 



As an added incentive, small business owners with 20 or less full-time employees may also be eligible to claim a Small Business Rebate of up to $500 towards the cost of purchasing and installing eligible safety equipment after attending the webinar.   

 

The webinar will be held Today, 30 October from 11am – 12pm. All webinar participants must pre-register at:https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/570782970