Noise, vibrations, dust, waste, traffic problems... construction sites are often synonymous with nuisance, especially noise. Limiting them is essential to preserve the peace and quiet of local residents, the health of workers and good relations with all project stakeholders. To achieve this, prevention is essential, and certain practices must be adopted.
Between drills, jackhammers and machine traffic, construction sites are often very noisy. This noise is source of stress and fatigue for local residents and teams and over time can lead to health problems (hearing loss, hypertension, etc.). As part of its general obligation to ensure the safety of its personnel, the building and civil engineering company must assess the risks and put in place measures to mitigate them. Noise pollution on construction sites is also subject to regulations relating to the fight against neighborhood noise Prefectoral or municipal by-laws may specify certain points, such as the hours of operation of construction sites. If you fail to comply, you risk being fined.
Please note At 80 decibels or more, noise is dangerous for hearing, and at 95 dB or more, it can cause irreversible damage (percussion drills, circular saws, etc.).
Regulations may also require an environmental impact analysis for certain worksites. for certain construction projects. They study the impact of the work and its foreseeable effects on the environment, as well as on human health.
Noise pollution is likely to lead to conflicts with neighbors, and thus to and therefore the cause of construction delays (or even their suspension) and financial losses in the event of legal action, etc. Anticipation is therefore the best thing to do: you need to know what measures you can take to reduce noise before starting work. This task is the responsibility of the project owner, who should take care of it as far in advance of the worksite as possible.
But before any measurements can be taken, a preliminary study is usually required. While the noise level of construction work can be disturbing, it is not the only criterion to be taken into account. The duration of exposure, the people exposed and their sensitivity must also be taken into account. A site diagram brings all these elements together. Noise sources are identified and located at all phases of the project. Local regulations concerning authorized working hours for noisy activities are also included. A schedule is then drawn up accordingly.
To begin with, it's important to consider the noise and vibrations emitted by the equipment before you buy. Electric or hybrid equipment is quieter than pneumatic machines. What's more, your your equipment must comply with European and French regulations on noise levels. Make sure you maintain it wellbecause outdated equipment is often the cause of noise pollution.
You can also enclose the noisiest machinesinstall exhaust silencers, vibration dampers and more. You can also turn to less noisy construction or demolition systems. For example, jackhammers are louder than drills!
To protect the neighborhood, you can also try to locate noisy activities away from residential areas. The installation of screens, fences and closures designed with soundproofing materials is also a good option.Â
Field teams play a crucial role a crucial role in managing noise pollution. They have to do everything they can to limit noise, and know how best to use their equipment so as not to make too much of it.
It's important to communicate with local residents, shopkeepers and local authorities and keep them informed. Transparency helps avoid many conflicts by improving acceptance of the project. Communicate about deadlines, measures taken to reduce nuisance, etc. Meetings can welcome feedback from all project stakeholders and address any concerns.
In order to avoid any overflow, a real-time sound level monitoring system in real time on and around the site is very useful. It enables rapid action to be taken if regulatory noise thresholds are exceeded, and parameters to be adjusted in the field. In most cases, these systems use connected sensors.
In addition, regular inspection of the equipment fleet enables us to check that everything is running smoothly and well-maintained.Â
Limiting noise pollution on a construction site requires a proactive and responsible approach. Preliminary study, prevention, training and communication are the key to a trouble-free project.
