GHD has provided a number of acoustic assessments for industrial developments and activities. Our assessments are used to predict noise levels from industrial developments to nearby sensitive land uses so that our clients may implement best-practice noise mitigation measures where impacts have been identified. Industrial noise assessments have been prepared for submission to a variety of regulatory bodies, including local council, NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA); and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE).
If it often a requirement for industrial developments or activities that compliance noise monitoring be carried out on a regular basis to ensure noise emissions are under specified limits at nearby sensitive land uses. This is often a requirement for Environmental Protection Licenses (EPLs) for scheduled activities under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. GHD has conducted numerous noise compliance monitoring surveys for industrial sites across NSW; both in urban areas rural locations. Compliance can then be assessed against regulatory requirements taking into consideration site specific noise enhancing effects such as topography, noise characteristics and meteorological effects.
Occupational noise induced hearing loss is a major compensable industrial disease and entails substantial economic and social costs. GHD conducts occupational noise assessments with consideration to the relevant statutory standards. Occupational noise can be assessed for the following:
- Machinery noise in and around buildings
- Vehicle operators e.g. truck cab, crane operator
- Sound intensity measurements for complex noisy environments
- Noise contour mapping of large areas e.g. coal wash plants, ore processing plants and aircraft hangars
- Detailed noise measurement results for items identified as possessing excessively high noise levels with consideration to the relevant standards
- Recommendation of actions plans and suitable hearing protection and hearing protection signage
- Recommendations of in-principle engineering noise controls, if necessary.
Where noise impacts from industrial activities and sites exceed relevant environmental or occupational noise limits, a combination of strategies and techniques is often required to reduce noise to compliant levels. A detailed understanding of noise generating activities, processes and equipment is needed so that noise impacts can effectively be mitigated. With effective engagement and a thorough understanding of each situation, GHD has worked with numerous clients for industrial sites, providing effective mitigation solutions that quantifiably reduces noise as much as feasibly and reasonably possible whilst considering all stakeholders and operators, including:
- Physical noise barriers or attenuation design
- Provision of quieter equipment, processes or vehicles
- Best practice management measures
