The problem with noise pollution on construction sites and its impact on our everyday lives is a matter that many choose to ignore.
However, this phenomenon has wide-ranging negative effects on all of us.
From health problems in humans to disruption of animal habitats and routines — the issue is here to stay and needs to be addressed.
One of the most common and prolific sources of noise pollution is construction sites.
In order for society to actively combat noise pollution, making changes to the construction industry is a logical first step.
In this article, we will examine what noise pollution is and why construction sites are one of its main sources.
We will also provide you with some practical advice on reducing and preventing noise pollution when it comes to construction projects.
Noise Pollution and Its Negative Effects:
Noise pollution is an umbrella term for any noise that has a negative effect on the well-being of humans and wildlife.
This includes both physical and psychological health, as high noise levels can harm living beings in a variety of ways.
Noise is measured in decibels, and any sounds louder than 85 decibels over an 8-hour period are considered harmful.
If people are constantly subjected to such noise levels — like at a construction site, for instance — they need to wear protective gear.
Prolonged exposure to noise pollution can have adverse effects on human health. Perhaps the most common problem is noise-induced hearing loss — an irreversible condition.
On top of that, noise pollution can cause us to suffer from stress, high blood pressure, sleeping problems, and even heart disease.
How to Prevent Noise Pollution on Construction Sites?
As you might expect, construction sites are places that generate an immense amount of noise pollution because of the nature of the labor and the equipment used.
Also, construction sites are worked at throughout the day, which results in prolonged exposure for workers and people nearby.
Even construction workers nowadays have to talk to one another using high noise communication headsets.
Even though getting rid of noise pollution in construction is next to impossible, specific things can be done to reduce it. Let’s look at four steps that you can take to minimize the noise pollution generated by a construction site.
1. Use Sound-Absorbing Materials:
One of the main reasons for the tremendous amounts of noise generated by construction sites is the nature of the used materials.
Steel, concrete, and wood reflect sounds with extreme efficiency, resulting in sound waves practically bouncing off such surfaces.
Sound reverberation is amplified even further at construction sites since the various activities performed tend to be rather noisy in and of themself.
However, if you also use efficient sound-absorbing materials in the construction project, the levels of noise pollution will decrease considerably.
There are many sound-absorbing materials out there that can limit the sound reverberation caused by steel, concrete, and wood.
For example, carpeting is a great option.
Also, fiberglass insulation and foam padding are known to absorb a significant amount of noise.
Effective use of those materials is certain to help reduce noise pollution at any construction site.
2. Optimize Equipment:
As we already mentioned, the work done at construction sites is simply loud — it is hard to get around that.
The equipment and machines used are quite noisy. However, some machines are quieter than others.
If you choose less noisy machines for a project, the noise pollution levels will be reduced significantly.
For example, hydraulically powered equipment is much quieter than its pneumatic counterparts, while machines that run on electricity are less noisy than those that use diesel.
However, keep in mind that modern, less noisy machines generally cost more to purchase and maintain.
What’s more, keeping your equipment well-maintained will cause it to make significantly less noise.
Malfunctioning machines will contribute greatly to the overall noise pollution levels on a construction site.
You can also modify loud equipment to make it a bit less noisy. For example, you can install silencers in exhaust systems, air conditioning installations, etc.
3. Use Hearing Protection:
Even if you manage to reduce the noise pollution generated by a construction site, its levels might still be harmful to workers.
After all, they are directly exposed to the sounds for prolonged periods of time.
In order to keep workers safe from excessive noise, you should supply them with hearing protection gear.
Of course, you also need to implement the proper procedures when it comes to using it.
There are several options you can consider when it comes to hearing protection gear.
Generally, you want to go with earmuffs, earplugs, or canal caps.
Each of those has a different noise reduction rate — however, you can choose to combine them.
For example, a combination of earplugs and earmuffs will result in much better protection against noise pollution.
You need to assess the situation at the construction site and choose the right equipment for the workers.
Remember that noise pollution can be extremely harmful to them — they need to have optimal protection in order to be safe.
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4. Plan for Noise Reduction During the Design Phase:
Perhaps the most effective way to minimize construction-related noise pollution is to actively plan for it at the design phase.
As you can see, there are many different things you can do on the matter.
If you develop the project with the above points in mind, you are certain to achieve optimal results.
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Conclusion:
Using sound-absorbing materials and the proper equipment can be hard to implement once construction has already started, however, if they are part of the initial plan, introducing them will be easier and more cost-effective to reduce noise pollution.
