Engineering Noise Controls in the

Construction Industry –Current and Past Efforts

Charles S. Hayden II, MS, PE

U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesPublic Health Service

Centers for Disease Control and PreventionNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Division of Applied Sciences and Technology

Background• Engineering control technology

– Ventilation systems– Fall protection devices– Ergonomics

• Hearing loss prevention– Evaluation– Hearing science

Hierarchy of Controls• Administrative• Engineering

– Substitution– Isolation

• Personal Protective Equipment

Current NIOSH Effort• Document Existing Noise Control

Technologies• Circumstances of their use.• Effectiveness of their application.• Evaluate the effectiveness of readily

available, but not commonly used noise controls.

Identify• Areas where existing control technology

can be applied. • Areas where there is misapplication of

existing technology.• Gaps in current technology/control

technology limitations.

Disseminate• Handbooks• Practical guidelines• Case study reports• Web-based site• Workshops

Develop Strategies for Future Research

• Development.–New technologies.

• Applications.–Novel applications of new and

existing technologies.• Push the technology forward.

Information/Technological Partnership

• Provide input into all phases of project.– Measurement methods, field and lab.– Data acquisition and analysis methods.– Guidelines / final product.– Information dissemination methods.– Labeling??

• LHSFNA, Penn State, Univ. of Wash., UBC, Univ. of Cinti., Unions, Industry Groups, Consultants, .

Past Work – proven noise controlsmethods.

What can be done about noise on highway/road construction?• ENGINEERING CONTROLS

• Substitute quieter process• Substitute quieter equipment• Retrofit old equipment • Maintain equipment properly• Isolate the process or operator

• ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS• Limit time exposed/Job rotation• Restricted areas• Rest breaks

Hammering in bearings.(noisy)!

VS.Inserting cool bearinginto warm housing …shrink fit. (quiet)!

SUBSTITUTION QUIETER PROCESS

What can be done about noise on highway/road construction?• ENGINEERING CONTROLS

• Substitute quieter process

• Substitute quieter equipment• Retrofit old equipment • Maintain equipment properly• Isolate the process or operator

• ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS• Limit time exposed/Job rotation• Restricted areas• Rest breaks

Reduction in noise level at the operatorsposition of 6 dB(A), from 108 dB(A)down to 102 dB(A).

9"grinder (left) is noisier than 4" one ( right)

SUBSTITUTE QUIETER EQUIPMENT

Using a Smaller Jack Hammer

• Replacing a large jackhammer with a middle range one reduced noise exposure by 10 dB(A)

SUBSTITUTE QUIETER EQUIPMENT

New Quieter Generators

• New generators have sound proofing

• Produce only 75 dB(A) at 1 m and 65 dB(A) at 7 m when under load

SUBSTITUTE QUIETER EQUIPMENT

Reduced Noise Saw Blades

• Using a noise reduced saw blade for cutting bricks reduced the levels of noise from 94 to 84 dB(A) for the operator and from 97 to 87 at 1 m to the right of the operator

SUBSTITUTE QUIETER EQUIPMENT

• A Western Australia company works towards a ‘buy quiet’policy. All new earth moving equipment is fitted with operator cabins that have noise levels of 75 dB(A) or below.

• Earth moving equipment fitted with acoustically treated cabin.

“Buy Quiet Policy”

What can be done about noise on highway/road construction?• ENGINEERING CONTROLS

• Substitute quieter process• Substitute quieter equipment

• Retrofit old equipment • Maintain equipment properly• Isolate the process or operator

• ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS• Limit time exposed/Job rotation• Restricted areas• Rest breaks

• Using 4 mm thick blade instead of a standard 6 mm. Achieved reduction was from 103 down to 96 dB(A).

RETROFIT OLD EQUIPMENT

What can be done about noise on highway/road construction?• ENGINEERING CONTROLS

• Substitute quieter process• Substitute quieter equipment• Retrofit old equipment

• Maintain equipment properly• Isolate the process or operator

• ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS• Limit time exposed/Job rotation• Restricted areas• Rest breaks

Proper Maintenance of Equipment can reduce noise

• New valves were installed and polished to get a better seal

• Oil additive was used to lubricate it

• Other minor repairs• Noise level reduced

from 94 to 83.5 dB

MAINTAIN EQUIPMENT PROPERLY

What can be done about noise on highway/road construction?• ENGINEERING CONTROLS

• Substitute quieter process• Substitute quieter equipment• Retrofit old equipment • Maintain equipment properly

• Isolate the process or operator• ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS

• Limit time exposed/Job rotation• Restricted areas• Rest breaks

Reducing Noise by Temporary Enclosures

• Portable screens around a power pack reducing the noise levels from 98 dB to 90 dB at 1 m

ISOLATE THE PROCESS OR OPERATOR

What can be done about noise on highway/road construction?• ENGINEERING CONTROLS

• Substitute quieter process• Substitute quieter equipment• Retrofit old equipment • Maintain equipment properly• Isolate the process or operator

• ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS• Limit time exposed/Job rotation• Restricted areas• Rest breaks

What can be done about noise on highway/road construction?• ENGINEERING CONTROLS

• Substitute quieter process• Substitute quieter equipment• Retrofit old equipment • Maintain equipment properly• Isolate the process or operator

• ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS• Limit time exposed/Job rotation

• Restricted areas• Rest breaks

Designated noisy area where hammering takes place.

What can be done about noise on highway/road construction?• ENGINEERING CONTROLS

• Substitute quieter process• Substitute quieter equipment• Retrofit old equipment • Maintain equipment properly• Isolate the process or operator

• ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS• Limit time exposed/Job rotation• Restricted areas

• Rest breaks

Quiet lunchroom

CONCLUSIONS

• SUSTITUTION• RETROFIT• MAINTENANCE• ISOLATION• LIMIT TIME EXPOSED/JOB ROTATION• RESTRICTICTED AREAS• REST BREAKS

Chuck Haydenchayden@cdc.gov(513)533-8152