OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE ON CONSTRUCTION SITES

Abstract An exploratory study of the noise exposure of operators of plant and equipment on construction sites is described. Noise at the ears of operators has been measured in terms of maximum sound pressure levels and short-term values of the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level. It is shown that some operators are exposed to levels of noise at which it is currently recommended that hearing protectors should be worn. It is suggested that it may be possible to determine where hearing protectors should be worn either by reference to the type of plant or, for some equipment, by reference to the equipment's sound power level.