SOUNDING OUT THE EFFECTS OF NEW NOISE REGULATIONS
26 June 2006 - 3M Europe

In a collaborative project that was initiated through Laing O'Rourke's continual drive to improve health and safety procedures, the two companies carried out a series of noise assessments on ten Laing O'Rourke construction sites throughout the UK. Tests were performed and recorded to determine:

the levels and type of noise generated by typical construction tasks and tools;
typically, who was exposed to high or continued levels of noise;
whether processes or procedures could be improved or introduced to reduce noise at source;
which hearing defenders provided sufficient protection to comply with the new exposure action levels
the time it took to reach these levels.
The last two factors were determined using an innovative Hearing Protection Equipment selector tool developed by 3M.

During general site measures operatives were typically exposed to noise levels of around 82db (A). The use of equipment such as circular saws increased the levels to approximately 109dB(A). The Upper and Lower Exposure Action Values take into account the amount of time that employees work at a particular noise level. For example, it takes just one minute for an operative exposed to 109dB(A) before the Upper Exposure Action Value of 85dB(A) is reached. Higher frequency noise levels were recorded in activities such as metal-on-metal contact (for example when sawing pipes and hammering on falsework) while slightly lower frequency levels (but generally still above 85dB) were recorded during piling works and general works involving plant operations.

The dangers from exposure to noise (the onset of tinnitus or noise-induced hearing loss) are in the most part long-term issues, with the effects gradually appearing over time. Sometimes workers can unknowingly expose themselves to high levels of noise, due to them removing their HPE intermittently for communication purposes (during a high noise level), deciding not to use HPE because of issues in comfort, dirt, ease of use and time restraints, incorrect fitting of earplugs and a disassociation with the long-term risk involved in exposure to noise.

3M Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Product Manager Vikki Nash explained, "Whether noise is of a high or low frequency is of particular importance when trying to control the risk of hearing damage. But in addition to selecting the correct level of protection for the type and duration of noise, vital considerations are comfort, compatibility with other personal protection equipment and ease of use. Even if workers are aware of the importance of wearing PPE, this research has highlighted that safety products that are uncomfortable or tricky/ time consuming to fit do not encourage use. For instance, standard disposable earplugs which are typically provided often take longer to roll and install correctly than the time of the individual noise exposure itself, whereas a more practical solution would be 3M 1310 Banded Ear Plugs or 3M 1450 Helmet Mounted Ear Muffs, which require minimal fitting."

Gary Fisher, Safety Leader for Select Plant Hire Co Ltd, (part of the international construction company Laing O'Rourke) said, "The partnership with 3M has been very successful in identifying current and future issues relating to the health and safety of our construction site workers. Laing O'Rourke is continually working on internal procedures to reduce the risk of hearing damage on construction sites."

Vikki concluded, "We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with a major construction company like Laing O'Rourke. This is the first in what will be an ongoing programme of Health and Safety related projects on which we will be co-working. Partnerships like this enable 3M to keep at the forefront of health and safety and enable the continual research and development of new 3M products and services to meet and exceed changing industry requirements."

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