The obligation
The WHS Regulation requires duty holders to work through the hierarchy of control measures for certain risks, and PCBUs must always aim to eliminate the noise risk.
The hierarchy ranks control measures from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest. The most effective control is to eliminate the noise source, for example by ceasing to use a noisy machine or changing how work is carried out. Engineering controls minimise noise at source, such as cushioning impacts, fitting exhaust mufflers and silencers, damping panels and fitting sound-absorbing materials.
…
- What
- The WHS Regulation requires duty holders to work through the hierarchy of control measures for certain risks, and PCBUs must always aim to eliminate the noise risk.
- Source
- safework.nsw.gov.au
description
Full analysis
lock
Free account
tips_and_updates
What this means for you
lock
Free account
lock_open
Read the full analysis, tailored to your industry
- star
Impact summary tailored to your industry
- check_circle
Full plain-English analysis of what changed
- check_circle
Email alerts & digests when this law changes
- check_circle
Compliance self-assessment tools
Labels
hierarchy of controls
engineering controls
PPE
hearing protectors
noise
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Hierarchy of control measures for noise, starting with elimination is a WHS requirement set out in Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work (NSW). It is made under Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW). The relevant provision is Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work > Controls.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Hierarchy of control measures for noise, starting with elimination is a WHS obligation under Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work (NSW). In short, The WHS Regulation requires duty holders to work through the hierarchy of control measures for certain risks, and PCBUs must always aim to eliminate the noise risk.
What changed recently?
Hierarchy of control measures for noise, starting with elimination was last updated on 9 October 2026.
