Noise
The World Health Organisation suggests that noise can affect human health and well being in the following ways:
- Creating feelings of annoyance.
- Disturb sleep.
- Interfere with communication particularly listening.
- Interfere with learning.
- Cause anti social or aggressive behaviour.
- Cause hearing loss.
There have been major advances in recent years in the reduction of noise from quarries and factories. Quarrying activities are potentially very noisy. The industry makes strenuous efforts to reduce the noise produced by its activity and mitigate the effects on workers and neighbours of the noise produced.
The rock faces within a quarry can often provide a barrier to protect neighbours from noise pollution. Many of the potentially noisy quarrying operations such as crushing and sieving are carried out on the floor of the quarry to make use of the 'rock face barrier'.
- Restricting the speed of vehicles by speed humps etc.
- Using noise-absorbing rubber matting on the floor of rock transporting vehicles.
- Reducing the volume of audible vehicle alarms (reversing etc.) particularly at night.
- Using new sound absorbent materials in machinery such as screens and sieves e.g. polypropylene.
- Ensuring workers are properly protected from noise e.g. sound insulation in vehicle cabs and providing appropriate ear protection.
In terms of cement making all operations are controlled by the Environment Agency and potential noise pollution carefully monitored. Factory plant is generally fully enclosed and specific pieces of equipment further sound-proofed as necessary.
Factory working and vehicle movement times are controlled by planning permissions to minimise potential noise nuisance and changes to blasting practices in quarries have reduced vibration and noise.