High-rise construction is on the increase in the capital of the United Kingdom. No visitor to London can ignore the number of high-rise constructions that are taking place in the business districts as well as along the banks of River Thames. Residential and commercial developments are sprouting across the nation and not only in the capital. They are currently changing the fiscal and visual landscape of the country.
How Does Construction Affect The Economy?
The value of construction to the economy of the country is quite evident from the government figures released by the Office for National Statistics. Their report revealed that construction figures had reached record-breaking levels by the end of 2018. The figure was given as £113,127 million. This is also reflected in the rise of construction companies operating in the country. In fact, there were a record-breaking 325,736 construction companies operating in the United Kingdom during this time. It was an increase of 11, 146 or 3.5 per cent compared to the figures of the previous year.
Noise Pollution Has Become A Cause For Concern!
However good construction is for the economy of the country, it creates a big issue that should be immediately addressed and controlled. In fact, noise pollution has become a big issue in the construction industry with many left wondering how to minimise structure borne noise. Local authorities have the necessary power to monitor and evaluate noise emissions from construction sites. This is important to ensure the health and well-being of the surrounding communities. Noise pollution can create negative effects on the mental and physical health of those who are exposed to it. It also creates delaying learning in children. Hence, mitigating noise levels in construction is very important. Even though noise affecting the surrounding communities is a big concern, the protective measures taken to control the problem can benefit the construction workers too. The latest data shows that 21,000 construction workers in the UK have suffered work-related hearing loss during the years of 2017 and 2019.
The Government Legislation
When controlling noise pollution on construction sites, site owners and managers should adhere to several pieces of legislation and practices. The key piece of legislation is BS 5228. This British Standard highlights strict compliance measures to make sure vibration levels and noise emissions are kept within bearable levels to protect the surrounding communities such as residential properties, hospitals, schools, businesses, and other institutions. These sites should be regularly assessed and managed to make sure all of them adhere to these regulations. If the construction site fails to adhere to these regulations, the local authority will put up an enforcement notice in place. They will shut down the site until appropriate precautions are taken. This means serious cost implications for the site developers.
The Control Measures That Are Recommended In The Legislation
. Selecting the best equipment for the operation
. Regular maintenance of the plant and machines
. Operating the equipment according to manufacturer guidelines
. Using a centralised generator system
. Using electricity-powered compressors instead of petrol or diesel-powered ones
. Using electric or hydraulic tools whenever possible
. Not operating the machinery when it isn’t required for immediate use
The Importance Of Working With An Acoustic Consultant
All construction sites should adhere to British Standard requirements. Not doing so, will result in closing down your site until the appropriate remedial measures are put in place. This will have serious cost implications for your business. Equipment hires and paying an idle workforce can increase your overall costs. That’s why you need to work with a professional Acoustic Consultant and do so at project inception.