CNX Industrial Noise Monitor

Why construction noise matters

Health impacts. Repeated or high-level exposure can cause permanent hearing damage (noise-induced hearing loss) and tinnitus. Environmental and repeated noise exposure also links to sleep disturbance, stress and cardiovascular effects.

Safety and productivity. High noise levels reduce communication effectiveness (warnings, radios), increasing accident risk and slowing complex or precise tasks.

Community relations and legal exposure. Noise causes complaints and can lead to statutory action. In the UK, local authorities can investigate noise as a statutory nuisance and serve abatement notices; contractors can also reduce risk by seeking advance controls via Section 61 agreements under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

Design & programme risk: Unplanned complaints or abatement notices can delay works, limit working hours (e.g., ban night working) and increase costs. Good noise management is therefore a project-control measure as well as an H&S and community responsibility.

UK technical & regulatory context (short)

• Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 — employers must assess and control workplace noise, provide hearing protection and carry out health surveillance where exposure triggers apply.
• BS 5228 — the widely-used code of practice for predicting, measuring and controlling construction noise and vibration; referenced by authorities and consultants.
• Control of Pollution Act 1974 — Section 61 — contractors can apply for advance consent describing hours and mitigation to reduce later enforcement risk.
• Environmental Protection Act 1990 — councils can act on statutory nuisance complaints (noise that unreasonably and substantially interferes with enjoyment of property or injures health).

Typical noise sources on site

• Plant & machinery: breakers, piling rigs, crushers, compressors, generators.
• Heavy vehicles: dumpers, excavators, tippers, piling trucks.
• Temporary works & hand tools: saws, pneumatic tools, concrete pumps/vibrators.
• Activity spikes: demolition, impact piling, night deliveries and early starts.

How to reduce construction noise — practical measures (hierarchy of controls)

Use the hierarchy: eliminate ? substitute ? engineer ? administrate ? PPE.

1. Design & procurement (eliminate / substitute)

• Specify quiet plant and methods at tender (electric drives, low-noise breakers, hydraulic rather than percussive techniques where possible).
• Avoid impact piling near sensitive receptors — consider bored piling if feasible.

2. Engineering controls (site layout & barriers)

• Locate noisy activities and plant as far as practical from houses and sensitive buildings.
• Use temporary acoustic screens, enclosures or earth bunds around compressors, generators and noisy operations.
• Fit anti-vibration mounts to reduce structure-borne transmission.

3. Administrative controls (hours, sequencing, planning)

• Schedule the noisiest tasks in daytime working hours; avoid unsociable hours unless essential and agreed with the council.
• Group noisy activities to reduce total disturbed days, and manage deliveries to restricted windows.
• Use low-level broadband reversing alarms or banksmen to reduce alarm noise where safe to do so.

4. Plant operation & maintenance

• Keep plant well maintained (silencers, exhausts, enclosures) — poorly maintained equipment is noticeably louder.
• Use the correct tool size/attachment and modern low-noise alternatives where they exist.

5. Monitoring, measurement & compliance

• Produce pre-works noise predictions (BS 5228 methodology) and build mitigation into the plan.
• Agree monitoring plans with the local authority for significant or intrusive projects (locations, trigger levels, instruments, record-keeping).

6. Community engagement

• Contact neighbours early — share the programme for noisy phases, contact points and complaints procedure.
• Log and investigate complaints promptly and offer practical remediation where reasonable (respite, changed timings).

7. Workforce protection

• Follow the Noise at Work Regulations: assess exposure, implement controls, provide hearing protection and hearing checks where required. Train staff and signpost high-noise zones.

Short contractor checklist

1. Identify noisy activities during tender and specify quieter plant.
2. Submit a Section 61 application where appropriate, with predicted noise levels and a monitoring plan.
3. Implement a Noise Management Plan (predictions, mitigation, monitoring, complaints handling).
4. Install physical controls: enclosures, screens, bunds and anti-vibration mounts.
5. Monitor, record and respond quickly to exceedances and complaints.
6. Provide PPE and health surveillance to staff where exposures require it.

CNX Industrial Noise Monitor — product summary