Navigating Manual Tasks and Noise Risks: In rural settings, manual tasks constitute a prevalent aspect of various types of work. These tasks encompass activities demanding physical effort for actions like grasping, manipulating, striking, throwing, carrying, moving (lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling), as well as holding or restraining objects, loads, or body parts. The spectrum of manual tasks spans diverse activities, including lifting chemical drums, handling bags of fertilizer, working with animals, or engaging in packing duties on a processing line.

These manual tasks can be a source of injuries affecting various parts of the body, with a focus on the back, shoulders, and wrists—commonly referred to as musculoskeletal disorders. Additional information is available regarding hazardous manual tasks, covering aspects such as risk factor management and injury prevention.

Turning attention to noise, Section 4.1 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 mandates employers and self-employed individuals in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industry to safeguard themselves and their workers from the potential risks associated with exposure to excessive noise.

The term "excessive noise" pertains to sound pressure measured in decibels (dB). The 'A' weighting scale closely aligns with how the human ear perceives different sound frequencies, while the 'C' weighting scale reflects ear sensitivity at very high noise levels.

According to the regulation, noise is considered excessive if it surpasses the exposure standard of 85 dB(A) over an average eight-hour period or if a peak noise level of 140 dB(C) occurs.

Excessive noise can result from prolonged exposure, such as operating machinery, or sudden extreme noise events, like firing a firearm or striking metal with a sledgehammer. The regulation stipulates that each 3 dB increase in noise level requires a halving of the exposure time. For instance, the impact of 85 dB(A) over eight hours is equivalent to 88 dB(A) over four hours.

The table below illustrates likely upper noise levels generated by various farming machinery and operations, along with the corresponding allowable exposure times without the need for hearing protection.

Typical noise levels from farming machinery and operations

Reducing Noise Exposure

1. Acquire machinery and equipment with lower noise emissions.
2. Restrict the duration of exposure to noisy environments.
3. Rotate between tasks, alternating between those with high noise levels and quieter ones.
4. Ensure proper maintenance of machinery to minimize rattling and vibrations.
5. Maintain mufflers in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications or install high-efficiency alternatives.
6. Place vibration-reducing mats under stationary machinery and affix stiffening plates to vibrating surfaces.
7. Install sound-absorbent materials on the walls and ceilings of noisy workshops.
8. Rearrange workshop layouts so that noisy tools are positioned toward the front or opening of the shed, dispersing noise outside.
9. Utilize appropriate hearing protection when permanent or administrative controls are not effective.

Using Hearing Protection

Hearing protection serves as a means to reduce noise exposure when other methods fall short. To maximize effectiveness:

1. Wear hearing protection correctly and consistently throughout the entire exposure period.
2. Use hearing protection when operating firearms, ensuring it possesses a suitable class or SLC80 rating.
3. Keep earplugs or earmuffs readily available near noisy equipment, reminding operators to wear them.
4. Display signs near equipment to emphasize the importance of hearing protection.
5. Consider noise levels when accessing hearing protection near operational machinery.

Selecting Hearing Protection

1. Ensure hearing protection is comfortable, effective, and suitable for the specific job.
2. Test earmuffs for comfort and a proper seal before purchase.
3. Verify that hearing protection meets AS/NZS 1270 (2002, Acoustics-hearing protectors) standards and is appropriate for the task.
4. Choose earmuffs with a Class 3 or 4 rating, or an SLC80 rating between 18 and 25 dB for general farm use.
5. Opt for Class 5-rated hearing protectors or those with an SLC80 of 30 or greater for specific farm equipment and firearms.
6. Seek guidance from suppliers and manufacturers to determine the most suitable hearing protection for the equipment and tasks.

Maintaining Hearing Protection

1. Clean earmuffs and reusable earplugs with lukewarm soapy water, allowing them to dry before storing in an airtight container.
2. Discard damaged or defective protectors, as they may not provide complete protection.
3. Follow manufacturer instructions for inserting earplugs and wearing all hearing protection, and refrain from reusing disposable earplugs.