Noise is the most persistent physical contaminant in the human environment, especially in developed countries, where the models of social and economical organization, the technological development and the population are key factors in the increase of noise pollution. It is difficult to define what noise means as a physical contaminant. Normally, it is undesired sound. That concept is joined to a subjective perception, and therefore, a sound can be pleasant for some people but, at the same time, can also be annoying for some other people, or even the cause of physical or psychological illnesses. Even more, some sounds that can be acceptable in a certain period of time can change into annoying in other periods [1]. Unlike other contaminant agents, the effects of noise may be unnoticed instantaneously and its accumulation can lead to an obvious physical, psychic and social deterioration. The best studied effect of the overexposure to noise is the loss of hearing. The problem is that the exposed people are scarcely aware of the cause-effect relation given that it is produced slowly but progressively [2]. Every day, millions of European workers are exposed to noise and to all its consequent risks in their workplace. One out of five workers in Europe must raise his voice to be heard for more than half the working day and 7% of them suffer from hearing problems related to work [3]. According to European data [4], the loss of hearing caused by noise is the most common occupational illness in the European Union, and besides, noise is one factor that can increase the risk of accidents in the workplace. The safer and healthier a workplace is, the fewer probabilities of absenteeism, accidents and low performance, and consequently, cost savings will be achieved. A traditional approach for reducing risks due to noise in the workplace consists in a three-step process: assessment of risks; adoption of mechanisms for preventing or controlling risks; and, eventually, keeping a periodical monitoring and a revision of the effectiveness of the adopted mechanisms [5]. The construction working sector is especially noisy [6], and specifically in Spain, where this is the most important and numerous working sector, for housing or industrial buildings based on concrete structures, which are the majority in Spain.
Are workers in the construction sector overexposed to noise?
Marcos FernandezRelated information
1 Escuela Universitaria Politecnica de Cuenca, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario, 16071-Cuenca, SPAIN
, Samuel QuintanaRelated information1 Escuela Universitaria Politecnica de Cuenca, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario, 16071-Cuenca, SPAIN
, Jose BallesterosRelated information1 Escuela Universitaria Politecnica de Cuenca, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario, 16071-Cuenca, SPAIN
, Noelia ChavarriaRelated information1 Escuela Universitaria Politecnica de Cuenca, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario, 16071-Cuenca, SPAIN
Published Online: March 01, 2011
Abstract