Noise and Hearing Loss VR Training for Australian Mines and Plants (Model Code: Managing Noise)
VR noise scenario on the Safe Work Australia model Code: the 85 dB(A) and 140 dB(C) standard, noise controls, hearing protection fit and audiometry.
QUICK ANSWER
The Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice on managing noise explains the exposure standard of 85 dB(A) averaged over eight hours and a peak of 140 dB(C), and how to control noise before relying on hearing protection. A VR crushing plant lets workers experience how exposure builds and practise using protection properly.
What the Rule Requires
Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work (Safe Work Australia): the model WHS Regulations set an exposure standard for noise of LAeq,8h 85 dB(A) and a peak of 140 dB(C). A PCBU must keep exposure below the standard, using the hierarchy of control, and provide audiometric testing for workers who need to wear hearing protection to stay below it.
The scenario is a crushing and screening plant at a gold mine in Western Australia. A worker cleans around a cone crusher, rides in a loader with the window open and takes out ear plugs to use a radio.
Hazards in This Scenario
- Exposure above 85 dB(A) over a shift
- Peak noise from impacts
- Poor plug fit and removal
- Hearing loss noticed too late
The Procedure the Scenario Rehearses
- Know the noise zones and signage
- Use enclosures and closed cabs first
- Fit plugs or muffs correctly
- Keep protection on in the zone
- Use radios compatible with protection
- Attend audiometric testing
Mistakes the Scenario Is Built to Catch
- Plugs out to use the radio
- Cab window open near the crusher
- Wearing muffs with gaps
- Missing audiometric tests
Competence Assessment Matrix
| Decision point | What the assessor sees | Pass standard |
|---|---|---|
| Zones | Signage noticed | All zones |
| Controls | Cab and enclosures | Used first |
| Fit | Plug insertion | Correct |
| Testing | Audiometry | Understood |
What VR Covers
- Exposure shown building in real time
- Fit feedback in context
- Peak events without real harm
- Training records per worker
What VR Does Not Replace
- Noise surveys
- Audiometric testing
- Engineering controls
Scope of a One-Scenario Pilot
A pilot builds this scenario as a single module, in Unity or Unreal Engine depending on the visual fidelity the task needs and the headsets on site. It runs on standalone headsets, logs every learner decision, and exports a per-person record for your training file. It is measured against your current method with a test cohort before anything is scaled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Australian noise exposure standard?
LAeq,8h 85 dB(A) and a peak of 140 dB(C) under the model WHS Regulations.
When is audiometric testing required?
When workers must wear hearing protection to stay below the exposure standard.
Does VR replace noise surveys?
No. Surveys measure exposure. VR builds habits that reduce it.
Want this scenario built around your site?
We review your current procedure and tell you which parts can be rehearsed in VR and which still need hands-on practice.
Map Your Highest-Risk ScenarioFurther reading
- Confined Space Entry VR Training for Australian Industry (Model Code of Practice: Confined Spaces)
- Coal Mine Safety VR Training for Queensland Operations (Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999)
- Mobile Plant VR Training for Queensland Quarries (Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999)
- Welding Safety VR Training for Australian Workshops and Sites (Model Code of Practice: Welding Processes)
- Hearing conservation program
- All VR training scenarios: Australia
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