Abu Dhabi City Municipality, through the Town Planning Sector - Environment, Health and Safety Department, held a virtual awareness workshop on (Procedures to Control Noise at Construction Sites), targeting construction and building company owners and workers, in cooperation with Aster Clinic.
The workshop aimed to educate construction site workers and construction project owners about the negative effects of noise on the health of workers at the site and the surrounding community, and to provide guidance to reduce noise levels and improve working conditions in line with the environmental, health and safety standards of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The workshop discussed a number of topics, including: (Negative effects of noise, sources of noise, laws and legislation, modern technologies and noise management), and put forward several recommendations, including: (Training workers at construction sites on how to prevent the effects of noise, measuring noise periodically, determining working hours, developing noise management plans and adopting environmentally friendly practices).
Speakers at the workshop pointed out that although noise at construction sites can have a negative impact on health, there are many ways to prevent the complete negative impact of noise levels at construction sites on workers and passers-by, especially if industrial noise control rules are adhered to. The workshop stressed that eliminating or reducing sources of noise pollution at construction sites is a very effective way to mitigate the negative effects that workers may be exposed to. During the workshop, some advice was provided on how to control noise pollution at construction sites, noting that it may be difficult to determine noise pollution levels at construction sites, as they are subject to change according to the time of day, or according to work needs. The workshop advised employers to conduct health and safety risk assessments, provide information on controlling noise pollution at construction sites, ensure that workers are protected using hearing protection, and use modern, quieter equipment. In addition, it is necessary to place noisy equipment away from workers and residents, and use temporary barriers to help protect workers or passers-by from sources of noise pollution at construction sites.