25272-000-GPP-GAM-00162 Construction ES&H Manual Revision: 000 1

TITLE: Noise & Vibration STANDARD: 304 ISSUE DATE: 09 October 2009 ISSUE No: 0 Definitions (in relation to this Standard) Construction Plant all operated mechanical powered plant which includes, but not

limited to, dozers, lightweight tractors (JCB’s), medium and heavy wheeled tractors (FEL’s), motorized graders, wheeled or tracked excavators, dumpers, cranes, articulating boom platforms (Man-lifts / MEWP’s), augers, fixed or mobile generators, compressors, pumps, tunnel boring machines (including HDD), concrete mixers, pumps and vibrating pokers (internal and external), vibratory rollers, plate compactors, line-painters, surface layers, tar macadam plants, heaters and boilers.

Cross-References

o Standard 207 – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard

Noise

1. During construction activity it is not anticipated that any person will be exposed to noise

levels that are in excess of 85 dB (A) on an 8 or 10 hour time weighted average (TWA). Appendix 1 shows typical sound levels of construction equipment.

2. Acute short term exposures to impact noise exceeding the threshold may be experienced during some activities, which shall be managed by the Contractor by reducing employee exposure, and enforce the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment when working in proximity of the operations as per Standard 207 – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

3. It is anticipated that some static equipments situated on lay-down areas may produce a noise level in excess of 85 dB (A). Contractor must therefore locate any potential noise sources a minimum distance of 30m away from offices and other facilities normally occupied. For all maintenance staff of these equipments, permanent and suitable hearing protection must be provided.

4. When areas have been identified that meet the above criteria, Contractor must conduct a

noise level survey and risk assessment by a competent person for that area using a calibrated noise/sound level meter; records to be kept and made available to the Royal Commission on request.

5. All areas of 85 dB (A) or higher must have adequate hazard warning signage indicating the

hearing protection requirements.

Noise & Vibration

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6. Suitable disposable hearing protection must be supplied by the entrance to all high-noise

level areas of 85 dB (A) and above for visitors etc…

Vibration

7. The regular and prolonged use of rotary and percussive tools can cause users to suffer

various forms of physical damage, a condition known as “hand-arm vibration syndrome” (HAVS), the most common form of which is called “vibration white finger” (VWF). Certain Construction Plant Operators have recently been diagnosed with “whole body vibration” causing damage to the spine and vertebrae.

8. An important factor in preventing HAVS is by reducing the time which employees are actually exposed to vibration.

9. Contractor is to ensure a vibrating tool is shared between a team of employees, as opposed to it only being used by one person all day; by rotating such personnel to other areas of work will considerably lessen the effects of vibration on the actual user, lessening the chances of ill-health effects by the use of the vibrating tool.

10. Correctly installed and smooth running machines will, in time, vibrate as the machinery parts become worn. The lack of maintenance and lubrication will also produce increased vibration levels.

11. Construction plant, vehicles and equipments must therefore be maintained by the Contractor

at regular intervals, and any detected faults rectified as soon as possible, as per Standard 208 - Construction Plant & Vehicle Management.

12. Contractor is to provide information by Toolbox Talk on the signs and symptoms of HAVS on a quarterly basis as minimum.

Rev. Date Description Prep. Checked Approved

000 09/09/2009 Issued for use M.S W.G H.S

Revisions to previous issues are denoted by a vertical line in the right-hand margin against the revised text.

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Appendix 1

Typical Sound Levels of Construction Equipment Sound Level dB (A)

[levels given are average at source] Hand Tools – electric 95 Hand Tools – air 100 Forklift Trucks 101 Hammer Drill 102 Dumpers 103 Concrete Mixer 104 Hand Tools – petrol 105 Tower Cranes 106 Circular Bench Saws 107 Medium Trucks 108 Excavators 109 Crawler Cranes 110 Haulage Trucks 111 Ready-mix Concrete Trucks 112 Rock Drills 115 Batching Plant 116 Generators 117 Drop Hammer (sheet piles) 118 Cranes 119 Compressors, Compactors 120 Bulldozers, Graders 121 Vibrating Hammer (sheet piles) 125 Single acting air hammer (pre-cast) 128 Double acting air hammer (sheet piles) 138

These sound levels are for guidance only. Information must be sought from the Manufacturer or Construction Plant Hire Company regarding specific machines.