This toolbox talk discusses noise and vibration from construction activities and provides guidance to reduce their environmental impact. It notes that construction noise can disturb local residents and cause complaints or project delays if not properly managed. Noisy activities that need control include grinding, impact work, excavation, piling, and concrete cutting or pouring. The talk recommends restricting noisy work to certain hours, maintaining equipment, planning deliveries, using local screening, and closing doors on generators to reduce noise pollution and avoid issues like fines or structural damage from vibrations.

1. Toolbox Talk
Environmental - Noise and Vibration
WHAT?
Within our industry the personal health effects of noise and vibration are well known and are now
embedded in our Company Health and safety arrangements. Construction industry is also one of the
leading sources of noise complaints made to Local Authorities. Something is considered ‘noisy’ when the
sound is unwanted by the listener. Noise and vibration emissions can disturb local residents and give rise
to complaints and delays.
Noisy activities include: grinding, use of impact guns, excavation, tunneling, concrete cutting, piling, using
un-silenced generators and concrete pours.
WHY TRY TO CONTOL THE PROBLEM?
■ To act as a good neighbour: Avoid complaints and maintain good relations with the local community
■ To avoid programme delay: The Local Authority have the power to stop works if noise from the site
is causing a nuisance
■ To avoid fines: Failing to meet noise constraints can result in fines
■ To avoid structural damage: Vibration may cause structural damage
Professionalism ▪ Integrity ▪ Trust ▪ Team Spirit
Do’s
■ If possible, restrict noisy activities to certain
times of the day
■ Ensure power tools, plant and equipment are
regularly maintained
■ Plan deliveries. Arrange routes and times to
minimise potential nuisance to the local
community
■ If possible, keep noisy plants away from public
areas
■ Minimise drop heights into hoppers, lorries
and other plant
■ Use local screening where necessary. Noise
can be reduced if a screen is placed between the
plant and a near by sensitive location i.e. house.
Screens can be straw bales or ply board
■ Use silenced generators and tower lights
where necessary
■ Keep acoustic doors and hoods on plant closed –
it does make a difference!
■ Contact your line manager if you are in doubt
Don’t
■ Don’t use plant or equipment with defective
exhausts and / or missing silencers
■ Don’t undertake noisy works during the even-
ing, at night time or very early in the morning if
it can avoided!
■ Don’t leave doors and hoods open on plant.
■ Don’t leave plant running unnecessarily
■ Don’t use poorly maintained plant
■ Don’t ignore complaints from the Local
Community
■ Don’t undertake activities that could cause
damage to nearby structures through vibration
unless approved by your line manager