Construction Noise

Understanding and Reducing the Impact of Construction Noise

• When construction moves indoors, increased noise is to be expected- ranging from minor disturbances to potentially more disruptive sounds.
• Loud noise from hand tools, such as a drill, can be irritating, but likely it is not potentially hazardous to hearing.
• A threshold of 85 decibels (dB) is where hearing protection is needed. This is the equivalent of a food blender or noisy restaurant. Proper PPE should be worn under such circumstances.
• For larger construction projects, tools like hammer drills may be used. While the noise is most intense at the source, the resulting vibrations and other side effects can create greater challenges for nearby work activities.
• If excessive noise becomes a concern, notify the building deputy as soon as possible. They can communicate directly with the project managers to explore alternative solutions. You may also contact Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to request an investigation.

Contact

Ryan Tyson
rmtyson@purdue.edu
765-494-1019