A discussion on the origin and treatment of noise in industrial environments - Noise reduction on road-breaking drills

• Published in: Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Mathematical and physical sciences 1968-12, Vol.263 (1142), p.425-439
• Main Author: Pretlove, A. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0080-4614; 2054-0272
• DOI: 10.1098/rsta.1968.0027

The noise generated by impulsive road-breakers is probably the most annoying part of the noise generated at construction and demolition sites and at roadworks. The problem was put into its proper perspective in the Wilson Committee’s report on the problem of noise (1963). It was shown by implication there that orthodox pneumatic road-breakers were unacceptable as far as noise is concerned, a reduction of some 7 to 1 5 dB(A) being desirable (i.e. from a present level of 82 to 85 dB(A) at 50 ft. radius to a level of 70 to 75 dB(A) outside the nearest window). Hydraulic road-breakers available at that time were as noisy as their pneumatic counterparts but were considerably more powerful. Electric and hydraulic breakers commercially available now (1967) are, as will be seen, considerably quieter than pneumatic drills. The use of an enclosure for the operator was encouraged in the Wilson report and the reductions in the noise radiation so obtained are quite high, but this device is in some ways difficult for the contractor. The breaker is usually working at an edge beyond which is broken rubble or a hole. It is difficult then to move the enclosure on its wheels over such terrain.