Noise Exposure Monitoring on the Segmental Box Girder Casting Process from a Concrete Casting Yard

Abstract

Noise exposure monitoring is essential to assess noise exposure circumstances and provide a noise control plan to minimize noise exposure problems in the workplace. In Malaysia, occupational noise exposure problems have been increasing, especially in the construction industry. Hence, this study aims to investigate the noise exposure problem in a construction casting yard in Malaysia. The objectives of the study were to measure the current occupational noise exposure problem and to propose a noise control action. Field measurement was carried out at a segmented box girder casting yard under the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) construction project in Selangor, Malaysia. A total of six case studies from four different construction trades had been conducted. This study plotted noise maps and measured personal noise exposure levels for the three construction trades. The results showed that the equivalent sound level exceeded the action level of 85 dBA for these trades. Besides, the bar cutting trade with an 8-hour time-weighted average of 92.3 dBA exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA. The noise reduction rating of the hearing protection device was evaluated, and appropriate noise control action was proposed. The proposed noise reduction rating was 32 dBA, so it is expected to reduce the time-weighted average sound level below 80 dBA for this workplace. In conclusion, the results could disseminate to construction workers to raise their risk awareness regarding the noise exposure issue in the workplace. The noise mapping information could also be used for the design of the engineering control to reduce the noise exposure level in the construction workplace.