Construction Noise in Ontario

Abstract

Construction workers have been found to suffer from noise-induced hearing loss. The purpose of this investigation was to measure the levels of noise to which construction workers may be exposed and to determine sources of this noise. Noise dosimeters were placed on the shoulders of construction workers during their normal work activities. Limits for Ontario, Canada, and for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the United States are 90 dBA for 8 hours, while the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists guideline is 85 dBA. Construction work, including thermal electric generating plant refurbishing (107.7 dBA), gravel plant work (100.7 dBA), sewer/water main work (98.8 dBA), maintenance in a building (95.2 dBA), sheet metal fabrication (94.9 dBA), road and bridge construction (93.2 dBA), and residential construction (93.1 dBA), were found to exceed these limits and guidelines. Limited impulse noise sampling indicated that overexposure to this type of noise may also occur. Tools and equipment are the sources of the noise. For workers other than heavy equipment operators, the use of electric or pneumatic power tools for short periods results in the overexposure.