BU3 Standard Operating Procedure – Health, Safety and Environment

Environmental Noise & Vibration Management

Table of Contents
1 PURPOSE...........................................................................................................................2

2 SCOPE................................................................................................................................2

3 DEFINITIONS......................................................................................................................2

4 PROCEDURE......................................................................................................................2
4.1 General Information on Noise & Vibration......................................................................................2
4.2 Nuisance Noise & Vibration Management......................................................................................3
4.2.1 Identification of Environmental Noise & Vibration Impacts................................................................3
4.2.2 Site Layout and Design..................................................................................................................... 4
4.2.3 Selection of fixed mobile equipment/plant......................................................................................... 4
4.2.4 General Planning of Activities & work hours- noise & vibration.........................................................4
4.2.5 Mobile equipment & transportation routes- noise & vibration............................................................5
4.2.6 Blasting Noise & Vibration Impacts & Management..........................................................................5
4.3 Responsibilities.............................................................................................................................. 6

5 REFERENCES....................................................................................................................6

6 ATTACHMENTS..................................................................................................................6

Revision Details Next Review: Aug 2010

Rev. Date Revision Status Checked Approved
01 31/8/09 First issue, template provided by LCI HSEQ Dept. Peter Finch

Note: Check with Document Control or LCI Controlled Servers before use that this is the current
version.

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BU3 Standard Operating Procedure – Health, Safety and Environment

Environmental Noise & Vibration Management

PURPOSE
This procedure aims to assist PT. Leighton Contractors Indonesia (LCI) Project personnel in identifying the
potential for nuisance noise & vibration emanating from LCI Project Activities and the mitigatory processes
required to reduce potential impacts on the environment (fauna) & community.

SCOPE
This procedure applies to all PT. Leighton Contractors Indonesia project sites. This procedure does not apply
to Occupational health affects on LCI employees from noise & vibration in the work place but rather that of
community nuisance. Occupational Health aspects associated with noise & vibration are dealt with in separate
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP’s). Never-the-less many principles of noise & vibration management are
shared, therefore this Instruction should be read in conjunction with BU3-OHS-SOP-014 Noise & BU3-OHS-
SOP-015 Vibratory Hazards.

DEFINITIONS
Some of the more important terms used in this document are defined below:

Environmental Noise: Displeasing human or machine created sound that disrupts the activity or
happiness of human or animal life.
Environmental Vibration refers to mechanical oscillations about an equilibrium point. The
Vibration: oscillations may be periodic such as the motion of a pendulum or random such
as the movement of a tire on a gravel road. In layman’s terms vibration can
often be wanted (e.g. music & sound systems) but in many cases can be
considered a waste of energy and a source for creating unwanted sound and
ground vibration that may affect the wellbeing of the community or fauna.
Air blast: A sudden but transient increase in air pressure as the result of an overpressure
compression wave travelling through the air and generated by a shock or
explosion.
Blast: To loosen or move rock or dirt by means of explosives
Ground vibration: Particle movement in rock or soil as a result of energy radiating in the form of
wave motion.
Stemming: The inert material used in filling a drill hole, either between explosive charges
or between the explosives column and the ground surface.

PROCEDURE
1.1 General Information on Noise & Vibration
The activities associated with LCI Operations often require the use of heavy equipment (construction, mining),
transportation, blasting activities etc. All these activities have the potential to impact on the environment & the
community due to the introduction of nuisance noise & vibration.
Noise and vibration nuisance is often related to site location, surrounding land-uses and operational times.
Operation in proximity to sensitive land-uses (residential, hospitals, schools, etc) requires particular attention.
It is there fore important to understand principles behind noise & vibration and follow the guidelines provided in
this SOP to reduce impact on the environment & community.

4.1.1 Noise
Nuisance noise often referred to as community noise can be simply defined as displeasing human or machine
created sound that disrupts the activity or happiness of human or animal life.

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Allowable noise levels are generally controlled by based Environment Protection Authorities or equivalent. In
most countries nuisance noise is often that which exceeds 55dB in the receiving community and has the
potential to disrupt sleep and create reason for compliant.
Allowable levels may vary between provinces; hence, it is the responsibility of the Project Manager to
determine the allowable levels for the specific project. Usually, allowable noise levels are those at the
boundary of the project or at the nearest receptor e.g. the nearest residence.
Construction, civil works, earth moving & mining activities all have the potential to create a social disturbance
as a result of generating nuisance noise. Fixed plant & mobile equipment associated with these works often
can create nuisance noise, especially if large numbers of machinery are used that are in poor operating
condition (e.g. noisy mufflers, poor lubrication etc.). Examples of noise generating equipment include vibrating
machinery, movement of trucks, operation of front end loaders, piling activities & vehicle reversing alarms to
name a few. See Appendix 1 for noise levels generated by common machinery & mobile equipment.
It is therefore important that noise producing activities & equipment are considered during the Project Planning
& operational phases of LCI Projects and appropriate controls implemented.
This can be by:
 Reducing noise emissions at the source
 Controlling the noise transmission path (e.g. noise treatment, enclosures, etc.)
 Implementing a Hearing Protection Program

4.1.2 Vibration
Vibration refers to mechanical oscillations about an equilibrium point. The oscillations may be periodic such as
the motion of a pendulum or random such as the movement of a tire on a gravel road. In layman’s terms
vibration can often be wanted (e.g. music & sound systems) but in many cases can be considered a waste of
energy and a source for creating unwanted sound and ground vibration that may affect the wellbeing of the
community or fauna.
Vibration can be caused by a number of activities associated with LCI operations. Some of the most common
or significant activities introducing vibration & noise include piling operations, compacting machinery, heavy
equipment, materials transportation and most significantly blasting activities. All of these activities have the
potential to disturb communities and in extreme cases can cause damage to nearby buildings and structures.
See Appendix 2 for typical vibratory measurements from machinery & mobile equipment.
It is therefore important that activities & equipment that can create a source of ground vibration are considered
during the Project Planning & operational phases of LCI Projects and appropriate controls implemented.
This can be by:
 Reducing vibration at the source (e.g. engine vibration)
 Isolation of vibration from the source to the operator seat
 Modifying the vehicle suspension or seat suspension

1.2 Nuisance Noise & Vibration Management

1.2.1 Identification of Environmental Noise & Vibration Impacts
Environmental/nuisance noise & vibration impacts need to be considered when planning Projects that have
the potential to create a disturbance to the local community or fauna. In such cases the potential impact of
noise on receiving communities and the environment should be identified through the Project Environmental
Plan and Risk Assessment Processes (Aspect Impact Register). Noise & vibration aspects may also have
been identified through Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s) often conducted specialists prior to
engaging construction or mining projects (i.e. conducted by the Client).
Where required environmental background monitoring should be conducted to determine the baseline
(background) noise & vibration generated within the area prior to start up of Project Works. This should be
done by a qualified person with specialized monitoring equipment.

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Community surveys & physical surveys can also be conducted to determine potential impact if required. E.g.
Questionnaires, surveys, building & ground inspections (cracking to nearby structures). Results of surveys are
to be monitored on a frequency identified from the risk assessment process. I.e. In high risk areas it may be
necessary to conduct monitoring & surveys on a monthly basis, in other cases no further monitoring may be
required if impact is found to be low.

1.2.2 Site Layout and Design

The following general principals should be considered during Project Layout & Site design:
 Where practicable, stationary noise & vibration sources should be located at the greatest distance
possible from sensitive receptors (sensitive receptors include residences, hospitals, schools,
caravan parks, etc). Also infrastructure such as offices or workshops may be used to mitigate noise
sources by acting as barriers to stationery noise sources such as generators.
 Roads, particularly access and haul roads should be located distant from sensitive receptors, where
practicable. Truck traffic to and from the site should be restricted to specified roads/travel routes to
avoid sensitive areas.
 All noise producing equipment such as generators, diesel pumps, etc should be selected, in part, on
their noise control and potential for further noise control should public concerns be evident.
 If required, noise barriers shall be in place prior to the operational phase of the project.

1.2.3 Selection of fixed mobile equipment/plant

The following aspects should be considered when selecting & operating fixed plant & mobile equipment:
 Where it is necessary to use vibration-type equipment for pile driving or soil compaction there is a
risk of damaging nearby buildings. The nuisance or damage potential is related to the soil type and
the distance between the vibrating equipment and the receptor.
 Ensure that all equipment is in good working order, particularly the engine exhaust systems.
 Fixed plant and equipment (including material stockpiles and vehicle parking areas) shall be located
as far as practicable from noise sensitive areas. Where the noise source is directional, equipment
shall be orientated to minimise propagation in critical directions.
 High efficiency mufflers will be used on mobile plant where practicable.
 Where soil compaction is required close to buildings, consideration will be given to use of a light
roller. To avoid resonance effects, vibratory rollers shall not be started or stopped in proximity to
sensitive premises.
 Vibration analysis assessment will be undertaken at the commencement of each stage of
compaction work if required.

1.2.4 General Planning of Activities & work hours- noise & vibration
Consideration should be given to sensitive receiving communities or habitats where fauna or people may be
disturbed:
 Consider informing local sensitive receptors in regard to any potentially noisy operations, particularly
blasting and operation during night hours.
 In areas near sensitive receptors, operating hours should be restricted to “normal” daylight hours,
where this is practicable.
 Ensure that all employees and subcontractors are aware of noise issues, including accessing and
exiting the site and keeping to designated work hours.
 Where practicable do not operate pile driving or vibratory equipment within 50 metres of off-site
buildings.

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 LCI will adhere to Local Government hours of normal operation unless otherwise negotiated with
regulatory authorities.
 Leaflets will be distributed to residents in the vicinity of works, describing their nature and any likely
impacts.

1.2.5 Mobile equipment & transportation routes- noise & vibration

Consideration should be given to sensitive receiving communities or habitats where fauna or people may be
disturbed by traffic along nearby transportation routes:
 Transport routes of vehicles to and from the site will be selected to avoid sensitive land-uses. This
route(s) should also be used by subcontractors delivering materials to the site, etc.
 Construction roads should be maintained in good condition to reduce vehicle noise. Radios, etc
should be controlled so as not to create a nuisance. All noise emitting equipment shall be
maintained to ensure that noise emissions are within manufacturer’s specification.
 Identify all the strategies that can be adopted to reduce traffic noise.
 Users of vehicles to consider how they can reduce noise.

1.2.6 Blasting Noise & Vibration Impacts & Management

In some LCI Projects blasting is required for demolition works, to break up overburden or obstructing rock
materials, for mining purposes.
Blasting activities have the potential to damage neighbouring properties and structures either through fly rock
or ground vibrations. The impact from the noise of blasting although short term can also be detrimental to the
community & fauna (disturbance). In such cases specific Standard Operating Procedures have been
developed for the control of explosives & blasting activities. If applied should limit potential for community
complaints and impact to fauna.
If blasting is likely to be a significant issue it may be useful to conduct a seismic survey of the area. This will
ensure accurate knowledge of the actual vibration level likely to be generated at nominated locations by
blasting operations. This survey would consist of a number of small blasts at varying distances and plotting the
results using suitable ground vibration monitoring equipment. This information can be used by an experienced
person to predict the results of the larger blasting program.
If buildings are in close proximity to blasting, conduct inspections of the buildings prior to blasting noting all
cracking. The inspection form should be signed by the owner. This should be useful if claims are made against
the company for building damage. Only qualified building inspectors should be used to conduct inspections.
General principals that need to be considered to reduce potential impact on the community or environment
from blasting activities could include:
 Ensuring operators are suitably accredited.
 Conduct blasting at a set time or implement a pre-warning signal for nearby receptors.
 Establish times of blasting to suit local conditions e.g. times of high activity.
 Orient quarry/mine faces away from potentially sensitive receptors.
 Good planing & identification of distances to neighbouring communities
 Take particular care where the face is already broken and consider deck loading where appropriate to
avoid broken ground or cavities in the face.
 Selection of the correct type of explosive
 Reducing the maximum instantaneous charge (MIC) by using delays, reducing hole diameter and/or
deck loading.
 Amount of explosive used per delay
 Changing the burden or spacing by altering the drilling pattern and/or delay layout, or altering the hole
inclination.

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 Exercise strict control over spacing and orienting all blast drill holes.
 Use the minimum practicable sub-drilling, which gives satisfactory toe conditions.
 Stemming quality and amount
 Direction of initiation
 Consider Topography
 Atmospheric conditions
 Rock type and jointing.
 Investigate alternative rock breaking techniques.

1.3 Responsibilities
Project Manager will be responsible for implementing any noise reduction initiatives and for responding to
complaints, organising acoustic monitoring and implementing corrective action procedures.
Environmental Representative will be responsible for auditing this procedure and assisting the Project
Manager in organising suitable noise monitoring should this be necessary

REFERENCES
 BU3-HSE-SOP-203 - Environmental Inspections
 BU3-HSE-SOP-019 - Noise
 BU3-HSE-SOP-030 - Vibratory Hazard

ATTACHMENTS
 Attachment 1 - Construction Equipment Noise Emission Levels
 Attachment 2 - Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment

ATTACHMENT 1
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CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT NOISE EMISSION LEVELS

Typical Noise Level (dBA)

Equipment
50 ft from Source
Air Compressor 81
Backhoe 80
Ballast Equalizer 82
Ballast Tamper 83
Compactor 82
Concrete Mixer 85
Concrete Pump 82
Concrete Vibrator 76
Crane, Derrick 88
Crane, Mobile 83
Dozer 85
Generator 81
Grader 85
Impact Wrench 85
Jack Hammer 88
Loader 85
Paver 89
Pile-driver (Impact) 101
Pile-driver (Sonic) 96
Pneumatic Tool 85
Pump 76
Rail Saw 90
Rock Drill 98
Roller 74
Saw 76
Scarifier 83
Scraper 89
Shovel 82
Spike Driver 77
Tie Cutter 84
Tie Handler 80
Tie Inserter 85
Truck 88
Table based on an EPA Report

ATTACHMENT 2
VIBRATION SOURCE LEVELS FOR CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
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PPV at 25 ft Approximate
Equipment
(in/sec) Lv † at 25 ft
Pile Driver (impact) Upper range 1.518 112
Typical 0.644 104
Pile Driver (sonic) Upper range 0.734 105
Typical 0.170 93
Clam shovel drop (slurry wall) 0.202 94
Hydro mill (slurry wall) In soil 0.008 66
In rock 0.017 75
Vibratory Roller 0.210 94
Hoe Ram 0.089 87
Large Bulldozer 0.089 87
Caisson Drilling 0.089 87
Loaded trucks 0.076 86
Jackhammer 0.035 79
Small bulldozer 0.003 58
† RMS velocity in decibels (VdB) re 1 micro – inch/second

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