Noise is a major workplace health and safety hazard and under WHS legislation, workers must be protected from the risk of hearing loss.

Hazardous noise can destroy the ability to hear clearly, making it more difficult to hear sounds necessary for working safely such as instructions or warning signals.

Workers who are required to wear hearing protection such as ear muffs,or ear plugs must be provided with a hearing test (paid for by their employer) with in the first three months of employment!

Employers that don't comply face a maximum penalty of $6 000 for an individual and $30 000 in the case of a body corporate.