TITLE: Noise & Vibration

STANDARD:

304

ISSUE DATE: 09 October 2009

ISSUE No:

Definitions (in relation to this Standard)

Construction Plant

all operated mechanical powered plant which includes, but not

limited to, dozers, lightweight tractors (JCBs), medium and
heavy wheeled tractors (FELs), motorized graders, wheeled
or tracked excavators, dumpers, cranes, articulating boom
platforms (Man-lifts / MEWPs), 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, linepainters, 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.

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Noise & Vibration

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.

000

Date

09/09/2009

Description

Issued for use

Prep.

Checked

Approved

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.

Construction ES&H Manual

25272-000-GPP-GAM-00162

Revision: 000

Noise & Vibration

Appendix 1
Typical Sound Levels of Construction Equipment

Sound Level dB (A)

[levels given are average at source]

Hand Tools electric

Hand Tools air
Forklift Trucks
Hammer Drill
Dumpers
Concrete Mixer
Hand Tools petrol
Tower Cranes
Circular Bench Saws
Medium Trucks
Excavators
Crawler Cranes
Haulage Trucks
Ready-mix Concrete Trucks
Rock Drills
Batching Plant
Generators
Drop Hammer (sheet piles)
Cranes
Compressors, Compactors
Bulldozers, Graders
Vibrating Hammer (sheet piles)
Single acting air hammer (pre-cast)
Double acting air hammer (sheet piles)

95
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
125
128
138

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

Construction ES&H Manual

25272-000-GPP-GAM-00162

Revision: 000