Acoustics, Noise & Vibration Consultancy - Noise & Vibration Impact Assessment

Increased mechanisation has meant the use of more powerful and potentially noisier machines and plant. It is widely recognised that noise levels that can be generated are unacceptable in many instances and that reductions are desirable for the benefit of both the industry and the public.
Risk of occupational health and safety of employees is also a growing concern, i.e. hearing damage, vibration white finger and the injurious effects of whole-body vibration. This concern is recognised at local and national level with new guidelines.

Overview of Our Services

We offer a wide-ranging consultancy service for environmental, transportation, housing and industrial developments and the built environment to include:

• Environmental Impact Assessment of noise and groundborne
  vibration resulting from construction and demolition works in
  accordance with guidelines contained in British Standards,
  e.g. BS5228, PPG24, BS9142.
• Recommendation and assessment of ameliorative measures.
• Assess the risk to building damage and public annoyance due to groundborne vibration in accordance with national standards and calculation guidelines, i.e. BS6472, BS7385.
• Assess the risk of occupational hearing damage and exposure to vibration in the workplace, i.e. hand-arm and whole-body, in accordance with HSWA and EU Directives.
• Desktop evaluation of potential noise and vibration issues and barrier optimisation at an early stage.
• Undertake both baseline/background and source specific noise surveys, e.g. noise from generators and compressors.
• Undertake short-term and long-term noise or groundborne vibration monitoring surveys, manned or unmanned, during site start-up and/or throughout the works contract.
• Use of modern state of the art equipment and methods for cost-effective solutions.
• Preparation of Proof of Evidence and representation at Public Inquiry and Land
  Tribunal Hearings.
• Assessment of eligibility to Noise Insulation Regulations: Reg. 3 for traffic noise and Reg. 5 for construction noise.
• Independent audit of computer noise prediction models, particularly WS Atkins’
  NoiseMap 2000 suite.

A survey of the existing noise and vibration conditions close to the area is essential for many reasons:

• To collect data on existing environmental conditions.
• A survey gives a baseline conditions against which any future changes and impacts can be judged.
• Measurements may be used to validate the accuracy of the computer model.
• The background levels may be used to set noise control limits at selected locations during the construction and demolition works.
• Pre-existing levels are used in the consideration of planning applications for residential development as required in Planning Policy Guidance Note 24.
• And, of course the Environmental Pollution Dept. of
  the Local Authority is always impressed with our
  proactive approach!
• Full detailed reports summarising our findings are
  submitted even in tight timescale.

Noise impact from construction and demolition can be predicted in accordance with the requirements in British Standards.

WS Atkins NoiseMap computer software suite is used to assess the potential impact. A computer model is made of the area adjacent to the site in question. This would include details of all plant and the duration of the activity, the haul route with predicted vehicle movements, natural or purpose built noise barriers including temporary earthworks, ground topography and details of all nearby noise sensitive receivers.

Assessment and optimisation of noise mitigation measures

Using the computer model, the benefits of the mitigation measures are rapidly assessed via changes in noise levels and then schemes can be ranked. Results can be presented graphically by coloured noise level contours.The results of the assessment and their presentation is project specific and tailored to our clients’ requirements after liaison with the client, the project management team and the Local Authority, etc.

Keep the noise exposure down and vibration under control

Noise at Work Regulations apply to all workers and their employers in the UK. Every employer has to ensure that a competent person makes a noise assessment to identify which employees are exposed to noise levels
beyond the First Action Level or higher. The noise assessment needs to be reviewed regularly. The current exposure levels are being tightened under the new EC Physical Agents (Noise) Directive which will become effective from 2005. Moreover, the EU Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive,
effective from July 2005, also sets fixed action to limit values on Hand-Arm and Whole-Body vibration in the workplace.

We can undertake such assessments, provide fully compliant reports and assist with positive and best practicable means to reduce exposure, e.g. selection of suitable ear protection and appropriate new machinery (re. Supply of Machinery (safety) Regulations 1994),

NEXT