Noise Exposure in Glass Recycling Collection – Further Measurements

Noise exposure levels have been determined for 19 recycling collection operations, on a range of vehicle types employing the following systems:

1. kerbside sort
2. two stream partially co-mingled
3. three stream partially co-mingled

One of the kerbside sort vehicles tested included trial noise reduction features intended to reduce noise exposure of operatives.

The field surveys required an acoustic consultant to travel with and shadow the crew during normal work activities. Extensive measurements were made of noise levels close to the operative’s ears during different collection activities using precision grade instruments. The activities varied according to the type of collection system and vehicle design but generally included a single kerbside box sort at the vehicle, a quick drop of materials to a trough or stillage, a hydraulic bin lift and tip to vehicle, and use of slave bin fills.

The investigation did not set out to undertake tailored noise at work assessments, accounting for specific operations of a local authority or private waste collection business. The approach was to simplify and normalise the large amount of data captured across the surveys to enable comparisons. In doing so, the results can provide a meaningful basis for local authorities and operators to gauge the potential daily noise exposure levels to which their workers may be exposed.

The surveys carried out across the 19 different recycling collection vehicles and collection systems, have determined that workers collecting glass recycling may experience excessive noise exposure at levels which the Regulations would require action to be taken. Positively, the surveys did also reveal that implementation of practical noise reduction measures can offer tangible protection to workers.