Noise exposure to the workers in Malaysian construction industry

Abstract

Noise and construction are two things that mutually related. Previous studies showed that construction workers are likely exposed to high level of noise exposure when there is no appropriate measure is carried out. Almost all activities in construction generate noise that will affect workers health and well-being. This study is to compare the noise exposure level among workers in four construction sites. In addition, the research also was conducted to assess the noise exposure level produced from construction site activities and to explore the effect of noise exposure to the workers. Furthermore, the workers’ level of awareness regarding noise exposure is being studied. Moreover, the perceptions of workers on noise exposure also were tested. Results showed that most of the activities in construction site produced noise exposure below the permissible noise exposure level of 90 dB (A) or first schedule of FMR 1989. However, one site in the study exceed the first action level of 80 dB (A) of current international standard. Consequently, almost half of the workers experienced tinnitus, depression and high blood pressure due to the noisy environment. It is suggested that both employers and workers employ preventive actions in order to reduce the noise exposure and to minimize the effect of noise to their health.