Workers' perceptions and awareness of noise pollution at construction sites in Kuwait

Abstract

Ample evidence exists that exposure to high noise levels acts as a stressor, which over a long period may result in pathological side-effects. Studies also exist which indicate that the exposure of construction site workers to noise pollution is significantly greater than that of the public at large. Despite the enormous post-invasion growth in the construction of residential projects in the State of Kuwait, no study of construction noise pollution and workers' perceptions and awareness levels of this pervasive urban problem has been performed in Kuwait or in the Middle-East region. This research project has attempted to narrow this information gap. A systematic-randomly selected sample of 26 construction projects were monitored for noise pollution levels. More than 500 workers at the selected sites were also person-surveyed for their perceptions and awareness of construction noise. Although the measured noise levels were frequently and significantly above standard outdoor noise levels (especially the highest 10 percentile level, L ₁₀) during most of the monitoring periods, a large percentage of the surveyed workers – particularly the labourers and those with low education – did not perceive noise as a problem, and were not aware of its impacts. During the 10-month noise measurement period, no one was seen to be equipped with a hearing protection device. A number of recommendations end the article.

Keywords:

• Noise pollution
• Construction noise
• Worker perception
• Kuwait

Acknowledgements

This research project (EV 02/99) was funded by the Research Administration of Kuwait University. The support is highly appreciated. Engineer Usama El-Sayyed carefully and dedicatedly monitored noise at the study construction sites. We also thank Mrs. Larkin Koushki, for editing and Mrs. Mini Kora for typing the manuscript.