Australia Model Code of Practice Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work 5.2-REVIEW: Maintain controls so they stay fit for purpose and correctly installed and used, and review and revise them when a control fails to minimise the risk, before a change likely to create a new or different risk, when a new hazard or risk is identified, when consultation indicates it, or when an HSR requests it, using inspection, consultation, testing and records, checking the listed questions, and repeating the noise assessment on installation or removal of noise sources, changed workload or operating conditions, building changes or changed time in noisy areas

What does 5.2-REVIEW require?

Controls have to be kept fit for purpose, right for the kind and length of the work, and correctly installed, set up and used; they are reviewed regularly to confirm they work, and any control that is not working is revised. The PCBU must review, and revise where needed, its controls so as to keep, as far as is reasonably practicable, a work environment free of risk: when a control fails to reduce the risk as far as is reasonably practicable; before a workplace change likely to bring a new or different risk the control may not handle; when a new or relevant hazard or risk is found; when consultation points to a review; or when an HSR asks for one on reasonable grounds that any of these circumstances touches their work group and the control has not been properly reviewed. Reviews use workplace inspection, consultation, testing and analysis of records and data, and the same methods as the original hazard search, with workers and HSRs consulted. Useful questions: do the controls work as designed and as operated; is the risk assessment accurate and every noisy activity captured; have new methods or plant made the work quieter; did instruction and training succeed; do new requirements or information show better controls exist; is any alteration to a structure, plant or process planned that could expose workers to hazardous noise; has a noise-related incident occurred; have audiometric tests shown changes in hearing thresholds. The gap between noise assessments is settled in consultation with workers, and an assessment is repeated whenever machinery or another source is installed or removed with a significant effect on levels, workload or operating conditions change enough to shift levels or exposure times, the building fabric changes in a way that affects noise, or working arrangements alter how long workers spend in noisy areas. Designers, manufacturers and suppliers should seek feedback from PCBUs and users on whether their products actually cut noise. Where problems turn up, the risk management steps are run again.