Measurement Method for Noise Exposure of Jobs of the Construction Sector

Abstract

Noise is one of the physical contaminants with a high presence in the construction sector. Nowadays, several negative effects produced by the exposure to noise are known, mainly regarding hearing. Although there is evidence of the existence of many other effects, some of them are not characterized precisely yet. Due to the importance that these effects have on the worker's health and well-being, it is necessary to develop some mechanisms to study and suggest preventive solutions on these questions. In this work, it has been studied the most appropriate measurement method for taking, as precisely as possible, the noise levels that the workers of the construction sector are exposed to. Several measures have been taken and analyzed to determine the best indexes and parameters to characterize the noise in the construction. For which, the current European regulations regarding the noise exposure (Directive 2003/10 of the EU) have always been taken into account.