In India, construction noise pollution is an invisible yet inevitable threat affecting onsite people daily. For instance, workers apply for hearing loss compensation claims en masse.
Moreover, the nearby residents complain about the constant construction site-related noise.
While some noises are uncontrollable, certain measures can be adopted to mitigate onsite noise. Additionally, implementing these practices falls upon the construction leaders—developers, builders, and contractors.
A better substitute could be opting for quieter machiners. This blog discusses similar other best practices to reduce construction site noise pollution.
However, here’s a question to begin with, what really causes construction noise pollution? Moreover, what impact do they have on the surrounding?
Construction Noise Pollution: Causes & Impact
Causes
A variety of factors are responsible for Construction site noise pollution. Some of the major causes for the same are listed below:
- The use of heavy but also obsolete machinery and equipment.
- Destroying or breaking down concrete or other construction-related materials
- Construction tools like sanders, drillers, saws, and so forth
- Foundational construction work like driving piles into the soil, concrete pouring, or blasting
- Construction vehicles’ mobility and their traffic
- Mechanically impaired machinery and equipment which are relatively noisier
- Usage of complementary construction machinery like generators and compressors
- Lack of implementation in areas like noise management and reducing guidelines.
- Poor or lack of communication channels among construction workers, locals, and govt authorities
- Frequent use of alarms and loudspeakers
The noise does not only limit its impact on the construction site periphery. It is strong enough to impact and disturb the surrounding community adversely.
However, some brands are best known for their newer, less noisy models. For instance, the Tata Hitachi price ranges from around INR 29 to 31 Lakhs when talking about its backhoe loader.
Now, here’s a question- Why is there a need to reduce construction noise?
Impact
Construction noise pollution can adversely impact society as a whole. Below are some of the major impacts caused by construction site noise:
- Adverse health conditions- mental (increased stress) and physical (hearing loss).
- Disturbances to adjoining residents’ sleep and quality of life generally
- Wildlife and habitat destruction.
- Reduction in real estate/ property market value.
- Infrastructural damage- The vibrancy from heavy equipment noise can damage buildings.
- Risk of penalties and other legal suits because of excessive and constant construction noise.
- Potential legal issues and fines for excessive noise levels
More importantly, urban areas are most affected by construction noise pollution. But, again, this is because of the high traffic congestion and other ongoing construction activities.
Additionally, most of the construction process takes place during the daytime. This makes the noise issue even more major as it could disturb people working or living nearby.
Best Practices To Curb Construction Noise Pollution
Below are some of the best and most practical measures for mitigating onsite construction noise pollution.
Testing & Analysis
Industrial leaders can now monitor and thereafter mitigate construction noise. The management includes introducing preventative measures and an action plan for noise reduction.
For instance, noise monitoring equipment can be of great help. Firstly, install this equipment onsite. After that, go for drafting out the report findings.
To do the same, contractors can use any noise monitoring report template. This consistent reporting would keep the residents and local authorities content.
Alternative Approach
We already discussed how construction noise is inherent. However, construction leaders should switch to substitute methods or tools.
For instance, installing noise reduction tools like attenuators or baffles can greatly help. These tools can aid in reducing noise significantly. Moreover, these are easy to use.
Auditing Equipment & Machinery
Heavy machinery constitutes the majority of the noise pollution at a construction site. J is inevitable. Nevertheless, we can implement our practical approach here as well. For instance, following the periodic auditing, repairing or replacement method.
For instance, consider replacing your older excavator with a JCB backhoe loader. The newer models are quieter and more productive.
Moreover, conducting comprehensive research would help you get a hold of noise reduction measures in construction.
Disciplinary & Administrative Control
The regulatory bodies and local authorities majorly oversee the regulations concerning construction.
Besides external regulatory bodies, contractors can also inbuild their in-house administrative department. To substantiate, an internal regulatory body would better understand the grass-route reason for construction noise.
Afterwards, the body would frame limits and certain rules and regulations to curb the construction noise. Ultimately, this would encourage an eco-friendly work frame.
So, this was all about the causes, impacts, and, more importantly, the measures to reduce construction noise pollution.
Wrapping Up
Through the blog, we kept one thing clear- that most of the construction noise is inherent and inevitable. However, one must consider that construction noise can be reduced.
Moreover, there’s a popular saying- One cannot improve something that cannot be measured. Nevertheless, results are measurable when talking about construction noise pollution.
And here’s a thing…
Adopting reasonable site practices will ultimately benefit the construction leaders. It’s because installing the noise reduction practices will bring no complaints from local authorities or residents.
This would eliminate the construction process’s obstacles and help workers focus solely on work.