community noise 14

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Abu Dhabi Environment,

Health and Safety Management

System Regulatory Framework

(EHSMS)

Code of Practice

AD EHSMS CoP 14 Noise Management

Version 1.2

July 2009


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AD EHSMS CoP 14 Noise Management V1.2 July 2009 2 of 15

Table of Contents

1. Aims and Intent.................................................................................................3

1.1 Aims......................................................................................................31.2 Intent .....................................................................................................3

2. Application and Implementation ........................................................................3

2.1 Application.............................................................................................3

3. General Requirements......................................................................................43.1 Generator of Noise Emission.................................................................4

3.2 Government...........................................................................................4

3.3 Assessment of Noise Level ...................................................................4

3.4 Monitoring and Reporting Protocol for Noise Quality .............................5

3.5 Management of New Sources of Emissions........................................... 6

3.6 Management of Noise Emitted from Vehicle Sources............................ 6

3.7 Noise Emitted from Industrial Facilities.................................................. 6

3.8 Noise Emitted from Construction Sites ..................................................7

3.9 Noise Emitted from Neighbourhood....................................................... 8

3.10 Noise Emitted from Domestic Waste Collection, Street SweepingMachines...............................................................................................9

3.11 Noise Emitted from Building Alarm Systems..........................................9

3.12 Noise Emitted from Shops, Cafes and Restaurants............................... 9

3.13 Occupational Noise Management........................................................ 10

3.13.1 Hearing loss prevention rogram........................................................... 10

3.13.2 Noise exposure assessment................................................................ 10

3.13.3 Engineering and administrative controls and work practices................ 10

3.13.4 Medical surveillance ............................................................................11

3.13.5 Audiometric testing..............................................................................113.13.6 Hazard communication........................................................................11

3.13.7 Worker training ....................................................................................12

3.13.8 Regular program evaluation ................................................................12

3.13.9 Record keeping ...................................................................................12


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1. Aims and Intent

1.1 Aims

(a) The aims of the CoP are to:

(i) ensure that the EHS quality are met;

(ii) drive continuous improvement in noise management to achieve thebest EHS outcome having regard to the social and economic

development of the Emirate;(iii) ensure noise management issues are addressed through strategic

planning; and

(iv) support national measures to manage noise.

1.2 Intent

(a) The intent of the CoP is that noise level is maintained and enhanced by:

(i) reducing noise levels to protect the community, reduce nuisance andprotect the current and future beneficial uses of the environment by:

(1) controlling sources of noise; and(2) where there is excess noise ensuring appropriate mitigation

measures to protect the health and safety of members of thecommunity are implemented;

(ii) managing noise so that the Noise Management Standards of AbuDhabi Emirate are met with regard to the Emirates social andeconomic development;

(iii) undertake actions to manage noise emissions and ensurecoordination and integration with other activities where appropriate sothat workplace, indoor, neighborhood and Emirate noise levels areminimized; and

(iv) manage noise from various sources such as traffic sources, noisewithin the workplace.

2. Application and Implementation

2.1 Application

(a) This CoP applies to the management of noise:

(i) emitted from commercial and industrial premises;(ii) emitted from traffic; and

(iii) from other noise sources and from a range of activities near residentialareas.

Code of Practice Noise Management


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3. General Requirements

3.1 Generator of Noise Emission

(a) Generators of noise emissions shall:

(i) manage their activities and emission levels in accordance with theaims and intent of this CoP;

(ii) pursue continuous improvement in their EHS management practicesand EHS performance; and

(iii) apply best practice to the management of their emissions or reducethose emissions to the maximum extent achievable.

3.2 Government

(a) The Competent Authority and/or Sector Regulatory Authorities shallexercise its powers, duties and functions to prevent increase of noise levelsand manage noise issues by:

(i) ensuring that all works approvals, permits and notices issued areconsistent with this CoP;

(ii) assisting the community in understanding the nature and significanceof noise pollution;

(iii) working cooperatively with all who use and manage noise quality inAbu Dhabi Emirate to promote the use of practices that protectbeneficial uses of environment; and

(iv) coordinating, reviewing and reporting on implementation of the CoP.

3.3 Assessment of Noise Level

(a) The Competent Authority and/or Sector Regulatory Authorities willundertake:

(i) ambient noise monitoring to determine whether the allowable limits forambient noise levels in different areas stipulated in Federal Law, Local

Law and other relevant documents are being met; and(ii) additional noise monitoring and investigations to enhance its

understanding of the causes and mechanisms of noise pollution, andto identify effective and practical noise management options to reducenoise levels.

(b) The Competent Authority and/or Sector Regulatory Authorities may requirea generator of noise emission to:(i) measure and report on its emissions to enable the Competent

Authority to determine whether the emissions are being managed inaccordance with this CoP and any other applicable statutoryrequirements;

(ii) measure and report the levels of its emissions in the vicinity ambientenvironment so as to:

(1) assess the potential impacts of those emissions; and


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(2) determine whether improvement in local noise level is required.

(c) Any report required by the Competent Authority and/or Sector RegulatoryAuthorities under clause (b) above may be made public on request.

(d) The Competent Authority and/or Sector Regulatory Authorities will work withmunicipalities, sectors, communities and other stakeholders to protect localamenity from noise emissions from local sources, and to the protect thehealth and safety of people from potentially harmful local emissions.

(e) The Competent Authority and/or Sector Regulatory Authorities may prohibitthe emission of a certain noise if it is considered to constitute a significant

threat to public health, either in the ambient environment, or near the sourceof emission.

(f) The Competent Authority and/or Sector Regulatory Authorities will:

(i) encourage, co-ordinate, undertake, in conjunction with others whereappropriate and monitor research into noise pollution and its impactson health and beneficial uses; and

(ii) review the science of noise measurement and modelling, technologiesin improving noise level, and develop, implement and promote newand practical approaches to understanding noise levels, whereverappropriate.

(g) The Technical Guideline Noise Management provides furtherinformation with regard to noise assessment.

3.4 Monitoring and Reporting Protocol for Noise Quality

(a) The processes set out in this section shall be used for measuring andreporting on noise level from various sources to determine:

(i) whether the noise management practices of this CoP are being met;or

(ii) the extent of the difference between the measured noise level and the

legal requirement on noise emission levels.

(b) The Competent Authority and/or Sector Regulatory Authorities shallestablish monitoring procedures, and commence assessment and reporting.

(c) To enable assessment of compliance with this CoP, the CompetentAuthority and/or Sector Regulatory Authorities may require monitoring ofnoise levels in ambient environment, workplace and indoor as part of thepermit approvals process.

(d) TheAD EHSMS CoP 09 - Monitoring and Reporting provides furtherinformation on monitoring and reporting requirements.


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3.5 Management of New Sources of Emissions

(a) In evaluating the impact of noise and in decisions related to approval ofdevelopments, the Competent Authority and/or Sector RegulatoryAuthorities shall evaluate the noise generating activity in relation to:

(i) how the noise may affect the beneficial use of the environment;

(ii) the characteristics of the noise;

(iii) whether it breaches any of the practices outlined in this CoP;

(iv) how persons may be affected by noise generated from a nearby siteor activity;

(v) the views of affected persons regarding the noise generating activity;

(vi) other noises ordinarily present at or near the site; and

(vii) any other information or matters relevant to the noise generatingactivity on the acoustic environment.

3.6 Management of Noise Emitted from Vehicle Sources

(a) A person shall not cause or permit a motor vehicle to be used on a road ifthe motor vehicle is capable of emitting noise at a level in excess of themaximum noise level specified in the Noise Management Standards giveninAD EHSMS Standards.

(b) A person shall not have a motor vehicle horn installed in their vehicle if thathorn is able to:

(i) emit noise that is single (does not vary in loudness or pitch) which is120 dB(A) or more; and/or

(ii) emit noise (that is not constant in loudness or pitch) which is 85 dB(A)or more.

(c) This clause does not apply to a motor vehicle horn fitted to any of thefollowing vehicles:

(i) a police / fire / ambulance vehicle; or

(ii) an other authorized emergency vehicle.

3.7 Noise Emitted from Industr ial Facilit ies

(a) When assessing noise impacts from industrial development, consider theintrusiveness of the noise and the amenity. This is particularly important fornoise receivers.

(b) The intrusiveness of an industrial noise source may generally be consideredacceptable if the equivalent continuous A-weighted level of noise from thesource, measured over a 15-minute period, does not exceed thebackground noise level measured in the absence of the source by more

than 5 dB(A).

(c) To minimize noise impacts, the ambient noise levels stipulated inRegulation Concerning Protection of Air from Pollution (under Federal Law


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No. (24) of 1999) and Noise Management Standards underAD EHSMSshall not be exceeded.

(d) Where a proposed development exceeds the recommended maximumnoise levels in the noise standards, substantial benefits in other areas,including a high degree of social worth, shall be demonstrated.

(e) If existing noise levels from industrial sources are close to the acceptablelevels as outlined in the noise management standards, the noise level fromany new source(s) shall be controlled to preserve the amenity of an area. Ifthe total noise level from industrial sources already exceeds the acceptablenoise level for the area in question, the LAeq noise level from any new

source shall not exceed:(i) 10 dB below the acceptable noise level if there is a reasonable

expectation that existing levels may be reduced in the future; or

(ii) 10 dB below the existing level if there is no such reasonableexpectation that existing levels will fall (for example, in cases wheresurrounding areas are fully developed) and no significant changes toland use are expected.

3.8 Noise Emitted from Construction Sites

(a) Construction activity includes:

(i) demolition work, site preparation work and building maintenance orrepairs;

(ii) the operation of vehicles within or entering or leaving a constructionsite; and

(iii) any activity at, or within, the immediate vicinity of a construction siteundertaken by persons engaged in the construction works.

(b) A noise source is a reference to the premises or place at which theconstruction activity is taking place.

(c) To minimize noise impacts, construction works may only take place:

(i) between 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on working days; and

(ii) between 9:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekends and public holidays.

(d) All reasonable and practicable measures shall be taken to minimize noisefrom construction activities. This can be achieved by:

(i) commencing any particular noisy part of construction works such asmasonry, sawing or jack hammering, until after 8:00 am;

(ii) where possible, no truck associated with the work shall be leftstanding with its engine operating in a street adjacent to a residentialarea;

(iii) all vehicle movement to and from the site shall be during scheduledworking hours only;

(iv) site buildings, access roads and plant shall be positioned such as tominimise disturbance to the local area;


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(v) where it is not possible for continuous type work such as concretepour to be completed within the hours specified, and the noise willimpact on a residential area, then affected properties shall be notifiedin writing of the intended work, its duration and times of occurrence;

(vi) locating noisy equipment (such as masonry, saws or cement mixers)or processes so that their impact on neighboring properties isminimized (whether by maximizing the distance using structures orelevations to create barriers or otherwise);

(vii) shutting or throttling equipment down whenever it is not in actual use;

(viii) operating equipment properly so as to minimise noise; and

(ix) exploring opportunities to undertake some work offsite and this

eliminate some noise generating processes from the construction site.

(e) All pneumatic tools near a residential area shall be fitted with an effectivesilencer on their air exhaust port.

(f) Noise labels shall be affixed to new mobile air compressors and pavementbreakers. The unit with the lowest noise rating that also meets therequirements of the job shall be used where work is conducted in aresidential area or other noise sensitive locations.

(g) All mechanical plant shall be silenced by best practical means using currenttechnology. Noise suppression devices shall be maintained to

manufacturer specifications. Internal combustion engines shall be fittedwith a suitable muffler in good repair.

(h) A particular operation may commence outside the hours of constructionspecified in this CoP to avoid unnecessary traffic, delays or costs, thoughthis can only take place with the approval of the Competent Authority and/orSector Regulatory Authorities.

(i) For the purpose of clauses related to construction works, constructionactivity has an adverse impact on amenity if measurements taken in relationto the noise source and the noise affected premises show the source ofnoise level exceeding the noise standards.

(j) The owner of the construction site and the main contractor (if any) engagedto undertake the construction work shall ensure compliance with theseclauses.

3.9 Noise Emitted from Neighbourhood

(a) Domestic activity resulting in excess noise, which has an adverse impact onthe amenity of the neighbourhood shall not be undertaken except:

(i) between 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on working days; and

(ii) between 9:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekends and public holidays.

(b) An occupier of a domestic premise shall ensure compliance with theseclauses.


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3.10 Noise Emitted from Domestic Waste Collection, Street SweepingMachines

(a) This clauses apply to the following:

(i) waste collection as part of an organised program undertaken on behalfof or by the municipality or a private business;

(ii) the operation of sweeping machines, blowers or similar machineswhen part of an organised program undertaken on behalf of or by themunicipality or a private business; and

(iii) the operation of powered saws or mulching machines as part of aprogram of works related to public street trees.

(b) When undertaking works related to domestic waste collection and streetsweeping, the relevant noise standards shall not be exceeded.

(c) In some cases due to traffic conditions, it may not be possible to meet thenoise emission standards. If this is the case, all efforts shall be made tominimise noise emissions to those living in noise sensitive locations.

3.11 Noise Emitted from Build ing Alarm Systems

(a) A building intruder alarm system shall not operate unless:

(i) it automatically ceases to sound (whether the sound was continuousor intermittent) within five minutes after initial activation by a detectiondevice; and

(ii) it cannot be re-activated by the same detection device except after thesystem has been re-set manually; and

(iii) it is positioned in a way that minimises its impact on premises inseparate occupation consistently with maintaining its effectiveness asan alarm system.

(b) An owner or occupier of a building to which a building intruder system isfitted shall ensure compliance with these clauses.

3.12 Noise Emitted from Shops, Cafes and Restaurants

(a) Where amplified speech or music from shops, restaurants or cafes is to becontrolled, the following conditions apply that each loudspeaker shall:

(i) be located entirely inside the shop;

(ii) be situated no less than 3 meters from any public entrance to theshop;

(iii) directed in such a manner that the device does not point towards anywall which contains an external window or entrance to the shop unlessthe wall is more than 15 meters from the loudspeaker; and

(iv) operating at a level that does not exceed the noise standards, 2meters from the facade.


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(b) Consideration shall be given to residents when establishing a new cafe orrestaurant, particularly those with outdoor seating.

(c) Where a cafe or restaurant is located within a residential area, operationsshall cease at 10:00 pm to minimise noise disturbance to local residents.

3.13 Occupational Noise Management

3.13.1 Hearing loss prevention rogram

The employer shall institute an effective Hearing Loss Prevention Program(HLPP) described in Section 4.13 of this CoP whenever any worker's 8-hr TimeWeighted Averages (TWA) exposure equals or exceeds the OccupationalExposure Limit (OEL) stipulated in AD EHSMS Noise Management Standards.All workers whose 8-hr TWA equals or exceeds the OEL shall participate in theprogram.

3.13.2 Noise exposure assessment

The employer shall conduct a noise exposure assessment whenever there isreason to believe any worker's 8-hr TWA exposure equals or exceeds the OEL.Noise exposure shall be measured without regard for the wearing of hearingprotectors. The Technical Guideline Noise Monitoring provides further

information with regard to noise exposure assessment.

3.13.3 Engineering and administrative controls and work practices

Current and prudent risk management practices (AD EHSMS CoP 05 RiskManagement) shall be employed to ensure that workers are protected fromexposure to noise at or above 85 dBA as an 8-hr TWA. When engineeringcontrols, administrative controls, and work practices (or any combinationthereof) cannot keep worker exposure below 85 dBA as an 8-hr TWA, the useof hearing protectors shall be required.

The practices for using hearing protectors shall be as follows:

(a) Workers shall be required to wear hearing protectors whenever their 8-hrTWA equals or exceeds the OEL. The employer shall provide and replacehearing protectors as necessary, at no cost to the workers.

(b) Employers shall encourage workers to use hearing protectors whenregularly working in or around locations or equipment where noise levelsexceed 85 dBA even if the OEL is not exceeded as an 8-hr TWA.

(c) Hearing protectors shall attenuate noise sufficiently to reduce the noiselevel at the worker's ear (when hearing protectors are worn) to a level below

85 dBA as an 8-hr TWA. Workers whose 8-hr TWA exposures exceed 100dBA shall wear double hearing protection (i.e. earplugs and earmuffssimultaneously).


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(d) To compensate for ineffectiveness in the wearing of protectors by the typicalworker, the labeled noise reduction rating (NRR) of the protector shall bede-rated as follows when calculating attenuation required in item (c) above.Subtract 7 dB from the Noise Reduction Rating of the hearing protector,then de-rate the resulting value per the following:

(i) earmuffs - subtract 25%;

(ii) earplugs - subtract 50%.

(e) The employer shall train workers at least annually in the selection, fitting,maintenance and use of appropriate hearing protection equipment.

3.13.4 Medical surveillance

(a) The employer shall provide appropriate regular audiometric (hearing) testingfor all workers whose exposures equal or exceed the OEL.

(b) The employer shall provide the tests at no cost to the worker, without loss ofpay for time required, and at a reasonable time and place accessible to theworker.

3.13.5 Audiometr ic testing

(a) Audiometric testing shall be performed by a physician, an audiologist, or anoccupational hearing conservation technician certified by the Council forAccreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) or theequivalent, working under the supervision of an audiologist or physician.The appropriate professional notation (e.g., licensure, certification, orCAOHC certification number) shall be recorded on each worker'saudiogram.

(b) Details on Audiometric Testing are detailed in the Technical Guideline Noise Management.

3.13.6 Hazard communication

A warning sign shall be clearly visible at the entrance to or the boundary ofareas where noise exposures routinely equal or exceed 85 dBA as an 8-hrTWA. All warning signs shall be in Arabic, English and, where applicable, in thepredominant language of workers who do not read Arabic or English. Workersunable to read the warning signs shall be informed verbally about theinstructions printed on signs in hazardous work areas of the facility. Thewarning sign shall textually or graphically contain the following information (orsimilar):

WARNINGNOISE AREAHAZARD TO HEARINGUse of Hearing Protectors Required


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3.13.7 Worker training

The employer shall institute a training program in occupational hearing lossprevention for all workers who are exposed to noise at or above 85 dBA as an8-hr TWA, and the employer shall ensure worker participation in such aprogram. The training program shall be repeated annually for each workerincluded in the HLPP. Information provided shall be updated to be consistentwith changes in protective equipment and work processes.

New workers shall be alerted about the presence of hazardous noise beforethey are exposed to it.

The employer shall ensure that the training program addresses, at a minimum:(i) the physical and psychological effects of noise and hearing loss;

(ii) hearing protector selection, fitting, use, and care;

(iii) audiometric testing; and

(iv) the roles and responsibilities of both employers and workers in preventingnoise induced hearing loss (NIHL).

3.13.8 Regular program evaluation

The effectiveness of the HLPP shall be evaluated at the level of the individual

worker and at the program level.

(a) Worker Evaluation:

The evaluation at the worker level shall take place at the time of the annualaudiometric test. If a worker demonstrates a confirmed Standard ThresholdShift (STS) that is presumed to be occupationally related, all possible stepsshall be taken to ensure that the worker does not incur additionaloccupational hearing loss.

(b) Program Evaluation:

The evaluation at the program level shall take place annually.

3.13.9 Record keeping

The employer shall establish and maintain records in accordance with therequirements shown below.

(a) Exposure Assessment Record

The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record of allexposure measurements required in Section 4.13.2. These ExposureAssessment Records shall include, at a minimum:

(i) name and Emirate ID number of the worker being monitored;

(ii) job classification or title, if any;(iii) duties performed and job locations;

(iv) date and times of measurements;


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(v) type brand and serial number of monitoring equipment;(vi) calibration data;

(vii) eight hour TWA representative of employees exposure; and

(viii) name of person taking the measurements.

(b) Medical Surveillance Records

The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record for eachworker subject to the medical surveillance specified in Section 4.13.4.These records shall include, at a minimum:

(i) name and Emirate ID number of the worker being tested;

(ii) job Classification, and title if any;

(iii) type, brand, model, and NRR of hearing protectors used (if any);

(iv) eight hour TWA representative of employees exposure;

(v) dates, time and types of tests (i.e., baseline, annual, retest,confirmation);

(vi) hours since last noise exposure before each test;

(vii) Hearing Threshold Levels (HTLs) at the required audiometricfrequencies;

(viii) tester's identification;

(ix) audiometer manufacturer, model and serial number;

(x) date of last acoustic or exhaustive calibration of the audiometer; and

(xi) review and assessment of any STS; and the identification of thereviewer.

The employer shall maintain accurate records of the measurements of thebackground sound levels in audiometric test rooms.

(c) Training Records

The employer shall maintain a record of educational and training programsfor each worker. The record shall contain:

(i) name and Emirate ID number of employee;(ii) job classification, and title, if any;

(iii) list of topics covered;

(iv) name and signature of person providing the training; and

(v) place and date of training.

(d) Record Retention

The employer shall retain the records described above of this document forat least the following periods:

(i) noise exposure monitoring records until replaced by more currentstudy;

(ii) audiometric testing records - duration of employment plus 5 years; and

(iii) training records duration of employment plus 1 year.


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In addition, records of audiometer calibrations and the background noisemeasurements in the audiometric testing room shall be maintained for 5years.

(e) Availability of Records

The employer shall, upon request, allow examination of and provide copiesof these records to the Competent Authority and/or Sector RegulatoryAuthorities, a worker, a former worker, or other person having writtenauthorization for record access.

(f) Transfer of Records

Where the employer goes out of business or otherwise ceases to exist, priorto the occurrence of that event, the employer shall notify the SectorRegulatory Authority. Following a written request from the Sector RegulatoryAuthority all records required to be kept by this section shall be transferredto the Sector Regulatory Authority as directed, in a timely manner.


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Environment Agency Abu Dhabi 2009

This document is and shall remain the property of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi. The document

may only be used for the purposes for which it was intended. Unauthorised use or reproduction of this

document is prohibited.

Document Status

Reviewer Approved for IssueRevNo.

AuthorName Signature Name Signature Date

0 A. G. Jukes

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