Business and workplace noise

Noise has the potential to damage health and relationships.

Businesses should be aware of the noise they generate and take steps to reduce the impact on their workers and the community.

Certain activities are required to be conducted in commercial tenancies that have been fitted out with noise attenuation measures that are consistent with recommendations from an EPA endorsed Noise Management Plan prepared in accordance with Guidelines for the preparation of Noise Management Plans for Development Applications [PDF 378KB]. These activities include but are not limited to drink establishments such as bars, clubs, restaurants, indoor entertainment facilities, hotels and indoor recreation facilities such as gyms. Please contact the EPA to discuss this.

Under the Environment Protection Act 1997 noise standards vary depending on where in the ACT you are.

Read about noise standards.

Building and construction

Exposure to high levels of noise in workplaces can cause permanent hearing loss and damage.

The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 sets an exposure standard for noise at:

• 85 decibels (A-weighted) 'averaged' over an 8-hour period
• a peak level of 140 decibels (C-weighted).

The standard relates to noise measured at the worker's ear.

Read about reducing noise risks on the Worksafe ACT website.

Further resources are available on the Safe Work Australia website.

All building work, including deliveries, that generates noise must be conducted within the time periods at Schedule 2 of the Environment Protection Regulation 2005.

Events, live music and licensed premises

Businesses and event managers should consider how amplified noise impacts surrounding businesses and households.

All venues that sell liquor must hold a licence under the Liquor Act 2010. Some applications for a liquor licence or commercial liquor permit need a Risk Assessment Management Plan (RAMP).

A RAMP details the procedures, practices and arrangements for selling liquor at the premises. It includes the mitigation measures to ensure related noise - including from patrons - does not affect the community.

Read more about liquor licences.

Preventing noise

There are steps a business can take to reduce noise, and to mitigate its effects on others:

• Seek noise management advice from an acoustic professional. Acoustic professionals can provide tailored solutions for your business type.
• Seek an independent environmental audit of the venue during peak trading times to identify noise concerns.
• Place speakers, stages, extractor fans and generators in areas where they will have less impact on neighbours.
• Regularly service external equipment such as air conditioners, generators and ventilation systems. Where possible, enclose them or install noise barriers.
• Use materials and treatments such as double glazing, insulation, suspended ceilings and reinforced floors to reduce noise.
• Hard, flat surfaces make noises reverberate. Consider using carpets, curtains or other treatments to reduce this impact.
• Reduce noise transmission from inside your venue to others by installing double doors and closing windows when nearby residents are likely to be sleeping.
• If you have an outdoor area, consider moving patrons inside after 10 pm to reduce their noise impacts.
• Encourage your patrons to be mindful of nearby residents when leaving the premises.
• Consider whether you may have a different and more appropriate location available for a live performance.
• Be aware of the conditions in your RAMP and with permissible noise levels to ensure compliance.
• Tell staff, sound engineers, performers and promoters the permitted sound levels.

Noise complaints

If your business, workplace or event creates noise above acceptable levels, people may complain.

Read about noise complaints.

Any noise complaints you receive should be recorded in the incident register.