It was revealed today in budget estimates that SafeWork NSW has provided multiple exemptions to Work Health and Safety regulations – with no plausible explanation for why they are allowing this to occur. 
 
Last week in estimates it was revealed by iCare’s CEO Richard Harding that workers compensation claims for hearing loss are increasing and that the link with exemptions to audiometric testing requirements should be examined.  Yet today in estimates SafeWork Minister Dominello admitted he had not been briefed on the issue.
 
SafeWork NSW has continued to allow for exemptions to audiometric testing since 2016. This means that workers in brick works; on tunnelling and metro projects; processing and manufacturing plants; who are often exposed to high levels of noise, are not given important periodic hearing tests.  For example, Victoria follows model laws that require audiometric testing for workers who often use personal hearing protectors to protect them from noise – within three months of them starting work, and at least every two years.
 
Under questioning by Anthony D’Adam, SafeWork representatives tried to downplay the implications of exemptions on hearing loss in workers, inexplicably claiming the exemption had no bearing on worker safety. 
 
Shadow Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis said, “it is outrageous that the Government is knowingly allowing workplaces to forsake their responsibilities to their employers when it comes to noise exposure and other important safety nets.
 
“The regulation is there to ensure ongoing hearing loss does not occur. 
 
“It is especially damning given it was revealed last week that workers compensation claims for hearing loss are rising”. 
 
SafeWork NSW’s website states that the exemptions to audiometric testing regulations have been continually rolled over from 2016 “to ensure businesses in NSW are provided with an appropriate time frame to prepare for the implementation of audiometric testing of workers”.

“It is ridiculous to say that businesses need six years to adjust to these regulations. They are unsafe and unjust and need to go”, said Ms Cotsis.

SOPHIE COTSIS MP
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY