How often must a noise survey be done in South Africa?

Short answer: at least every 24 months. The Noise Exposure Regulations, 2024 require the noise exposure risk assessment to be repeated at intervals not exceeding 24 months. Where that assessment shows employees may be exposed at or above the legal limits, noise monitoring by an approved noise inspection authority must also be done at least every 24 months. Some changes on site mean you cannot wait that long.

The regulations were published in Government Gazette 52226 (Government Notice 5953) on 6 March 2025 and took effect on publication. They replace the Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) Regulations, 2003, which were repealed 18 months later, on 6 September 2026. If your noise programme, procedures or training material still refer to the NIHL Regulations, it is time to update them.

The two levels that decide what you must do

• Noise-rating limit: an 8-hour rating level of 85 dBA for continuous noise, or a peak of 137 dBC for impulse noise.

• Noise action level: an 8-hour rating level of 82 dBA, or a peak of 135 dBC. It applies where employees are also exposed to ototoxic chemical agents (substances that can damage hearing, such as some solvents and metals) or to whole-body vibration above the action level in the Physical Agents Regulations, 2024.

The action level is new. Under the old regulations, a work area at 83 dBA did not need to be a noise zone. Now it must be demarcated as one if the people working there are also exposed to ototoxic chemicals or whole-body vibration (regulation 11).

How often each requirement applies

• Noise exposure risk assessment (regulation 7): before employees are exposed, as far as reasonably practicable, then at intervals not exceeding 24 months. It must be done by a competent person.

• Noise exposure monitoring (regulation 8): required where the risk assessment shows employees may be exposed at or above the noise-rating limit, or at or above the action level together with ototoxic chemicals or whole-body vibration. It must be carried out by an approved noise inspection authority at least every 24 months, and an inspector may direct you in writing to repeat it sooner.

• Medical surveillance (regulation 9): a baseline hearing test before an employee starts, periodic tests at intervals set by the occupational medicine practitioner but not more than 24 months apart, and an exit test when they leave. The Code of Practice for Audiometry published with the regulations sets audiometry every 12 months for exposures from 85 dBA to below 105 dBA, and every 6 months at 105 dBA or 135 dBC and above.

• Training (regulation 4): before employees are exposed, with refresher training at least once a year.

• Records (regulation 14): keep training, risk assessment, monitoring, medical surveillance and control maintenance records for 40 years.

When you can't wait 24 months

Regulation 7(4) requires an immediate review of the risk assessment when:

• there is reason to believe it is no longer valid;

• control measures are no longer effective, or better control methods become available;

• work methods, plant and machinery, the type of work or control measures change;

• an incident occurs; or

• medical surveillance shows hearing loss where noise is a contributing factor.

A new compressor, an extra shift or a relocated production line are typical triggers. If the review shows that more employees may now be exposed at or above the limits, they must be brought into the monitoring programme.

A quick self-check

• Find the dates of your last noise survey report and noise risk assessment. If either is approaching 24 months, book the next one now.

• List what has changed since then: new machines, processes, shifts or buildings.

• Check whether employees in noisy areas also work with solvents or other ototoxic chemicals, or operate plant or vehicles with whole-body vibration. If they do, the 82 dBA action level applies to them.

• Confirm that audiometry is up to date and that new employees had a baseline test before they started.

• Replace references to the NIHL Regulations in your procedures, risk assessments and training material.

How Qualitas can help

Qualitas Occupational Consulting is a Department of Employment and Labour Approved Inspection Authority and a SANAS-accredited (ISO/IEC 17020) inspection body for asbestos, lead, noise and hazardous chemical agents. Our noise surveys measure 8-hour rating levels per area and task, map the noise zones you need to demarcate, and recommend practical controls, in a report written for management, SHEQ teams and auditors.

Where workers are also exposed to solvents or vibration, a hazardous chemical agents survey and a whole-body vibration survey can be planned alongside the noise survey.

Not sure what your site needs? Start with our free Compliance Gap Analysis, request a quote, or call or WhatsApp 082 649 6599.

This article summarises the Noise Exposure Regulations, 2024 (Government Notice 5953, Government Gazette 52226, 6 March 2025) for general guidance. It is not legal advice; refer to the regulations and the Code of Practice for Audiometry for the full requirements.

Christo de Wet is a SAIOH-registered occupational hygienist with 15 years' experience and the founder of Qualitas Occupational Consulting.