Construction / demolition work may increase localised noise and vibration due to vehicle and machinery operation. This may impact upon:

• Surrounding residential, commercial and recreational activities
• Terrestrial, aquatic flora and fauna
• Archaeological or cultural heritage sites
• Other buildings or structures.

Where applicable the project-specific Construction Noise and Vibration procedures may form part of the projects Construction Environmental Management Plan or Health and Safety Management Plan should be read in conjunction with the following information.

Planning

Vibration monitoring levels at sensitive premises must not exceed 10 mm/s (as per German Standard DIN 4150–03, Structural Vibration Part 3 – Effects of Vibration on Structures) or as otherwise specified in the Vibration Management Plan or Qualified Person (Structural Engineer).

The hierarchy of controls should be onsidered to limit individual exposure to safe acceptable levels:

•  Eliminate the source of the noise
• Substitute for quieter plant or processes (seek to use alternative equipment e.g. use a ring saw as an alternative to jackhammering column / beams / piles or use static rolling as an alternative to a vibration roller)
• Engineering/Isolation controls ( e.g. noise attenuators, barrier)
• Administrative (rotation controls (drastically reduce the time the person is exposed to the noise)
• Provide hearing protective devices

Work Hours

All construction work must take place during the hours as determined by the building permit conditions, specific principal / client requirements or the Regulatory authorities or Council requirements, (e.g. 7:00 am–7:00 pm).

R Construction / demolition work is not permitted on Sundays or Public Holidays, unless otherwise approved by the local council and MPX.

Plant and Equipment

Plant and equipment must be maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s specification to reduce noise emissions.

Stationary plant and equipment (e.g. generators and pumps) should be positioned to minimise noise across noise sensitive properties.

Noise Monitoring

Noise monitoring should be undertaken if required by the local council conditions (or if complaints are received due to unreasonable levels of noise. in a noise sensitive area. These levels must be assessed against levels defined in the Regulations.

Vibration Monitoring

R Dilapidation studies should be undertaken of adjoining structures and buildings prior to any construction.

Where equipment is likely to cause excessive vibration, sensitive structures or areas must be monitored for vibration levels. An appropriately Qualified Person (Acoustic/Vibration Consultant) will develop a Vibration Management Plan which will be attached to the project CEMP.

Constant observation of vibration levels and any effects on adjoining structures must be closely monitored during construction, as this may alter vibration monitoring acceptance levels.

Communication and Notification

Communication should be managed in accordance with the applicable Management Plan.

PPE

Adequate supplies of hearing protection must be available on-site.

Audiometric testing

Audiometric testing, in accordance with the legislative requirements, must be made available to MPX employees, where deemed necessary. Records of test results will be kept and made available on request by the employee.

New MPX employees involved with onsite construction activities must undergo audiometric testing to provide a baseline

VIC - Audiometric testing will be made available to MPX employees every 2 years

Legal and Other Requirements

• WA - Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997
• WA COP Managing Noise at Workplaces 2002
• NSW - POEO (Noise Control) Regulation 2017 for NSW
• Managing Noise & Preventing Hearing Loss Code of Practice (Qld) 2011
• Local council regulations
• AS 1055.1 Acoustics – Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise – General Procedures
• AS 2436 Guide to Noise Control on Construction, Maintenance and Demolition Sites
• AS 2670.2 Evaluation of human exposure to whole body vibration

Document Control

Version 1 August 2019 – New Standard