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Heavy construction equipment noise study using dosimetry and time-motion studies.

Spencer E; Kovalchik P

Noise Control Eng J 2007 Jul-Aug; 55(4):408-416

https://doi.org/10.3397/1.2756307

20032460

Noise induced hearing loss continues to afflict workers in many occupational settings despite longstanding recognition of the problems and well-known methods of prevention and regulations. The focus of this research was to determine the noise exposures of heavy construction equipment operators while documenting the workers' tasks, (i.e. hauling, moving, and/or pushing construction material).Time-motion studies were performed at the construction sites and were used to correlate the noise dosage with the work performed by the equipment operators. The cumulative dose for each operator was then plotted with references to work tasks. This was done to identify the tasks that caused the greatest noise exposure. Three construction sites were studied for this research. The types of construction equipment studied included asphalt pavers, backhoes, bulldozers, compaction equipment, excavators, haul trucks, telehandlers, and wheeled loaders. The results indicate that the majority of operators were overexposed to hazardous noise.

Noise; Construction; Construction-equipment; Noise-induced-hearing-loss; Hearing-loss; Occupational-health; Noise-exposure; Equipment-operators; Construction-workers; Noise-levels; Construction-industry

NIOSH, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 18070, Pittsburgh, PA 15236

NCEJD5

20070701

Journal Article

ESpencer@cdc.gov

2007

4

0736-2501

PRL

Noise Control Engineering Journal

PA