Every day, millions of Australians are exposed to construction noises, the loud sounds produced by activities such as rock hammering, road sawing, excavation, drilling and rock cutting on construction sites. Identifying where the noise comes from is the first step in managing its environmental and health impacts. Construction noise can directly contribute to a variety of health related risks, including adult blood pressure elevation, hearing loss and disruption to local areas.

For construction workers, site managers, and others involved in or affected by construction activities, reducing construction noise pollution is a practical safety and community issue. Whilst construction noise pollution is a serious concern on almost all construction work sites, there are a variety of controls that can limit your work site’s sound output. Below, we look at what construction noise pollution is, the harm it can cause, the main types of administrative and engineering controls, and the benefits of reducing noise for workers and nearby communities.

What is considered construction noise pollution?

Any sort of sound that has an impact on the health and wellbeing of people and wildlife is referred to as “noise pollution.” Decibel measurements are used to determine the intensity of noise pollution.

As a general rule, any construction noise that produces or exceeds 85 dB during 8 hours is considered excessive unwanted noise. To shield workers from the adverse effects of noise pollution at this level of sound exposure, WH&S mandates the use of personal protective equipment specifically designed for construction noise.

What are the harmful effects caused by construction noise?

• Hearing impairment and permanent loss of hearing – exposure to construction noise both short and long term can lead to irreparable damage to a construction worker’s hearing, especially as power tools like jackhammers contribute heavily to construction noise pollution.
• Wellbeing – prolonged exposure to loud noise levels can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disturbances, and stress.
• Psychological issues – construction noise exposure, left unchecked, can lead to anxiety, mental impairment and increased stress, while high noise levels can also interfere with communication and concentration on site.
• Insomnia – Long-term exposure to noise pollution can interrupt sleeping patterns, making it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep, especially when early morning or late-night construction noise disrupts sleep cycles.

Different types of construction noise control

Administrative controls

Administrative controls are modifications to how people do business at construction companies, helping manage noise across the project. These controls focus more on streamlining the work schedule to minimise the impact of excessive noise on workers than they do on the machinery at a construction site. Standard construction working hours typically run from 7 AM to 6 PM, and construction work is usually prohibited on Sundays and public holidays. Controls include:

• Operating noisy machinery and equipment when fewer people are present, and providing community notification before high-impact construction activities
• Limiting the amount of time that a worker is exposed to noisy areas
• Establishing tranquil spaces where staff can rest during breaks

For major urban projects, developers may need to submit noise management plans, and excessive construction noise can lead to regulatory complaints and penalties.

Engineering controls

Engineering controls separate workers from construction noise and its associated risk by containing or rerouting the course of the loud noises away from the source, including noise from generators and other equipment on the construction site. Certain pieces of equipment assist in hearing protection by reducing noise pollution:

• Choosing low-noise machinery, especially heavy equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, and backhoes
• Maintaining and lubricating equipment and machinery so regularly maintained machinery can reduce the noise produced by heavy machinery
• Utilising noise barriers and other noise suppression equipment, which can significantly reduce demolition noise effects. Control Hire’s own Noise Control Wall, for example, achieves an 85% Noise Reduction Coefficient.

Soundproof materials can absorb noise from power tools, and careful sequencing of demolition activities can help reduce peak noise levels.

Bottom Line: Reducing Construction Noise Benefits Your Workers and the Surrounding Community

When compared to other types of hazards, where the dangers may be seen, construction noise pollution is less evident. However, millions of Australians are impacted every day by the very real hazard of noise pollution from the construction industry.

Employing strategies to reduce construction noise pollution at the workplace can benefit both the workers and the local community, as nearby residents may also be affected by intermittent noise from heavy trucks during delivery and transport.

Control Hire are experts in mobile construction equipment and site equipment needed for dust control, noise control, ventilation control and fume control, with a range of solutions in their collection to support your next project. Ensure that your workers are protected each day.

Control Hire are experts in mobile construction equipment and site equipment needed for dust control, noise control, ventilation control and fume control. Ensure that your workers are protected each day. Click here for more information or a free consultation.