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

Abstract

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.