SafeWork NSW has postponed audiometric testing and issued an Exemption to employers until 31 December 2017.  The Exemption is the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, Exemption No. 014/16 and is an Exemption from clause 58(2) of the Regulation. This Exemption applies to NSW businesses who have workers that are frequently required to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as a control measure to protect workers from the risk of hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the ‘exposure standard for noise’.

For further information please see the link below detailing the Exemption as published in the NSW Government Gazette No 111 of 9 December 2016 – page 3528.  The Gazette also includes the definition of the ‘exposure standard for noise’.

Background Heat illness occurs when the body cannot sufficiently cool itself. Factors that contribute to this include:
 
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Amount of air movement
• Radiant temperature of surroundings
• Clothing
• Physical activity (metabolic heat load).

Heat illness covers a range of medical conditions that can arise when the body is unable to properly cope with working in heat. These conditions include:
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• Heat stroke – a life threatening condition that requires immediate first aid and medical attention
• Fainting
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat cramps
• Rashes (also called prickly heat)
• Heat fatigue
• Worsening of pre-existing illnesses and conditions.

Signs and symptoms of heat illness include feeling sick, nauseous, dizzy or weak. Clumsiness, collapse and convulsions may also be experienced as a result of heat illness. Workers with these signs or symptoms need to seek immediate medical attention. Workplace health and safety laws require the working environment to be safe and without risks to health and safety, so far as is reasonably practicable. This applies to any risk to health and safety, including illness from working in heat.