Police members can work in noisy environments e.g. firearm ranges, dog kennels and vehicles with roof top sirens with consequent danger of permanent damage to their hearing. The Police Hearing Standards and Noise Conservation Working Party has been looking at noisy environments police are required to work in.

NOISE LEVELS BEING TESTED

The Working Party has bequn testing noise levels in different environments to identify any problems.

The areas that have been tested so far are dog kennels, dog vans and a rock concert. Hearing protection and signs for dog kennels have been recommended and Police are waiting for the results from the rock concert.

It is also planned to test police radios when used without an ear-piece. 

HEARING PROTECTION FOR FIREARM RANGES

The working party have confirmed the level of hearing protection needed for firearm ranges and the Police College have put soundproofing material on the walls of their firearms range to reduce noise problems affecting recruit training.

NOISE TESTING OF POLICE SIRENS

Noise testing of police sirens under the bonnet, showed they are loud enough to attract the attention of motorists and pedestrians, however they are not as noisy for Police members in the vehicle.

This was the intention of moving the sirens from the rooftop to under the bonnet as the rooftop sirens present a noise hazard for members in the vehicle.

If you wish to raise any hearing or noise issues, please contact Amanda Craig at the Association’s National Office on (04) 496-6824