ABSTRACT
Noise can be both a private and a public nuisance (affecting an individual or group of individuals/homes/businesses, etc.). This may result in civil or criminal action, depending upon local/national legislation. The effects of noise can be wide ranging. Human health effects include damage to hearing, loss of sleep, and disruption to wildlife. At certain frequencies and intensity, structural damage to buildings is possible. Examples of sources of industrial noise include noise from commercial activities, e.g., machinery, extraction systems, compressor systems, public address systems. In addition workplace noise includes work transport, agricultural/farming, construction, quarrying/mining and workshops/ factories. This chapter reviews basic noise control measures such as isolation, absorption, insulation, damping and silencing. Management controls include: maintenance of work equipment; purchasing new equipment with reduced noise production; resurfacing roads and/or yards; preventing use of radios; controlling vehicle noise by managing their use; controlling hours of working and use of public address system etc.
