Noise in construction is a growing problem today. It affects the environment and people’s health. For this reason, the International Noise Awareness Day is celebrated in various fields every last Wednesday of April.
In the professional sphere, it is well known by Occupational Risk Prevention professionals that noise exposure is one of the main risks to consider in various sectors. This is why specific prevention regulations exist on this matter. Royal Decree 286/2006, of March 10, establishes the regulatory aspects concerning the protection of workers’ health and safety against risks related to noise exposure.
In this article, we will address the risks derived from noise exposure at work, specifically in the construction sector.
What is Noise?
Noise can be defined as any unwanted or unpleasant sound that can negatively affect people’s health and well-being.
Sound is any pressure variation that the human ear can detect. Sound is generated at a point where a solid is vibrating. This displaces the air particles near it, creating pressure changes that generate a wave that propagates through the environment.
Effects of Noise on Health
Indeed, not all sounds are harmful. The damage will basically depend on the intensity and the duration or exposure time. However, it also depends on the pitch of the noise. A high-pitched noise causes more damage than a low-pitched one of the same level. The noise level is measured in decibels. It could be said that, in general, prolonged, continuous, and daily exposure for eight hours a day, forty hours a week, to a sound pressure of 87 dB, represents a serious risk. Brief exposure to impulse noises exceeding 120 dB is also harmful.
The most obvious effect of noise exposure is deafness, which is permanent and irreversible. A decrease in hearing capacity can occur due to a mechanical blockage of transmission in the inner ear or injuries to it.
According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, noise-induced hearing loss is the most common occupational disease in Europe. Its first symptom is usually the inability to hear high-pitched sounds.
Likewise, prolonged noise exposure significantly increases the risk of suffering from tinnitus. This refers to sensations in the ear such as buzzing, explosions, or ringing.
Not Just Hearing Problems
Furthermore, noise affects pregnant workers, causing increased blood pressure and fatigue. Noise can also cause harm to the fetus.
Nevertheless, noise affects people’s health in various ways. It is not solely about auditory effects and discomfort. Noise exposure can also multiply the risk of accidents, in addition to increasing stress, which we already discussed in our article dedicated to psychosocial factors.
Moreover, effective communication is essential at work. In industry and construction, oral communication requires a voice level 10dB higher than the ambient noise level (at ear height).
Risk Situations and Preventive Measures for Noise Exposure in Construction
In both the industrial and construction sectors, noise exposure is caused by certain tools and machinery. These can include pneumatic equipment (hammers, drills, etc.), saws, grinders, demolition tools, and other electrical equipment, drills, pumps, compactors, excavators, etc.
According to Royal Decree 286/2006, it states that “risks derived from noise exposure must be eliminated at their source or reduced to the lowest possible level, taking into account technical advances and the availability of risk control measures at their source.” These actions must be carried out based on the general principles of prevention.
As an example, preventive and protective measures can be established such as:
- Noise control measures at the source, such as enclosures and acoustic screens
- Proper maintenance of work equipment
- Replacing obsolete work equipment with quieter alternatives
- Planning work so that during noisy tasks, personnel not involved in those tasks are not exposed
- Reducing exposure times through rotations that alternate noisy tasks with less noisy ones
- Using appropriate hearing protection equipment for sound pressure levels and monitoring the use of such PPE
