NOISE REDUCTION AT WORKPLACE IN CONSTRUCTION

Construction machinery is one of the most common noise sources in the environment and at the workplace. In Russia about 40% of all occupational injuries and 40% of the loss of working capacity are recorded at the construction sites. The noise levels at the operator’s position exceeds noise limits up to 40 dBA. However, personal hearing protection recommended in Russia can not provide sufficient noise reduction. To reduce construction noise administrative and engineering controls, substitution of noise with the standardization of noise emissions and replacing of noisier equipment with quieter items can be recommended. Administrative measures of noise reduction include reduction of work time, training and audiometric testing. To elaborate engineering controls a method of separation of noise sources with mathematical modelling was proposed. Basing on this method the most effective noise reduction measures were proposed that helped to reduce noise in the cabin of a backhoe by 6-7 dBA.