B. Hay

International legislation on external industrial noise

Abstract The aim of this paper is to provide research and development engineers, manufacturers, and importers of industrial equipment with a summary of international legislation on noise pollution. A survey shows that six out of the nine member states of the European Economic Community possess legislation that is relevant for the control of external industrial noise. However, only Germany and France have got as far as issuing noise emission standards for construction equipment. Regarding countries outside the EEC, neither Sweden nor Norway have yet passed laws on industrial noise. Turning to countries further afield, the laws on environmental protection are enacted at the Federal level in the United States, while in Australia this is done at the state level of government. With reference to the economic implications of pollution control, Denmark is the only country that even gives it a mention in its Environmental Protection Act. The repercussions of pollution control on investment levels, production costs and prices are briefly discussed in this paper.

A review of legislation on industrial noise

Abstract This paper commences by reviewing the 1961 Factories Act, which placed a duty on the employer to provide a safe place of work. This duty is reiterated in the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Bill (given the Royal Assent on 31 July 1974 and now an Act), and the Secretary of State for Employment is given power to make regulations which will make perfectly clear what the liability of the employer is. Legal requirements concerning the design and manufacture of articles for use at work are also made in the new Bill. They must be designed so as to be safe and without risk to health. Furthermore, it is the duty of the manufacturer to carry out any necessary research with a view to the discovery, and the elimination or minimisation, of any risks to health or safety which the article may afford.

NOISE LIMITS IN THE MEMBER STATES OF THE EEC FOR FOUR-WHEELED MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract This paper discusses the current and future noise limits for the different vehicle categories, ranging from passenger cars, mini-buses, buses and coaches to light and heavy goods vehicles. The author considers that the design cost of meeting the noise limit values for the exhaust system of motor vehicles should not be evaluated in isolation from the cost of reaching the new proposed gaseous emission limits by 1 October 1990.

An overview of EEC directives on noise from products and projects

Abstract The legal status of EEC noise directives is explained, and a distinction is drawn between those directives based on reducing technical barriers to trade, and those stemming from the Community air transport policy. The special issue commences with three papers on EEC noise limits for four-wheeled motor vehicles, motorcycles and tractors. The fourth paper gives an outline of the development of international standards for noise certification of civil aeroplanes. It then explains maximum permissible noise limits for subsonic aeroplanes, which are registered or operated in the Member States of the European Community. The fifth paper discusses helicopter noise certification and the implications for noise control. At the time of writing (December 1987), the EEC appears to have no plans at present to adopt an independent helicopter noise directive. This is probably because of concern over the economic impact on the European helicopter industry, due to the high cost and long lead time required to develop the necessary ‘low noise’ technology. The sixth paper presents a framework for project and product evaluation within the context of the EEC directive on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). From 1 July 1988 all major projects in the EEC will be subject to an EIA, which requires that a detailed statement of project and product impacts should be prepared and presented to the decision-makers in the appropriate Member States.

Noise from household appliances

Abstract A review is made of the methods of measuring noise from household appliances set out in the international standard IEC 704-1, 1982. This test code has been incorporated into the 1983 amendments to the proposal for a European Council Directive concerning airborne noise emitted by household appliances.

Maximum permissible noise levels at the workplace in the EEC, Spain, Portugal and Turkey (as at 1981)

Abstract The aim of this paper is to update a survey made in 1975 on scientific standards and legislation for the protection of workers from hazardous levels of noise in the workplace. This paper covers the present ten member states of the EEC and the prospective member states of Spain, Portugal and Turkey.

Assessment of noise nuisance in the UK compared with Germany, France, Denmark and Australia (as at 1982)

Abstract A brief examination is made of the adjustments for tonal components and impulsiveness which are allowed by the different national scientific standards for assessing the noise nuisance aspects of an industrial establishment. The issue of whether the national standards offer any guidance as to the likelihood of complaints is also discussed.

Highway inquiries—The issue of traffic forecasting

The issue of whether the reliability and statistical validity of the methods of traffic prediction, used by the Department of Environment, are suitable for investigation at local inquiries into draft schemes for the construction of motorways is critically examined. In particular, the effect of the recent decision of the House of Lords in Bushell v. Environment Secretary 7 February, 1980 is considered. The Highways (Inquiries Procedure) Rules, 1976 were not in force at the time of this local inquiry; however, the express rights of statutory objectors to cross-examine persons giving evidence at a local inquiry are examined.

The role of injunctions in noise nuisance

Abstract The circumstances in which a person with a legal interest in land may be granted a perpetual injunction to restrain a noise nuisance are critically examined. A householders legal rights should not be overridden by the interests of club members or of the public in attending motor boat racing events organised by such a club, so as to deprive him of the remedy of injunction. The Court of Appeal so held in the recent decision of Kennaway v. Thompson 30 April, 1980. The principles which the court applies in considering the granting of an interlocutory injunction to a local authority to restrain a noise which is a nuisance under the Control of Pollution Act, Section 58 (8), are also considered.

Noise consents for work on construction sites

Abstract The aim of this paper is to consider the question of who is responsible for obtaining the noise consent for work on construction sites, under Section 61 of the UK Control of Pollution Act which came into force on 1st January, 1976. One point was made clear by the civil engineering contractors at a recent conference: namely that the noise consent should be obtained before the specification goes out to tender. The consensus of opinion was that the consultant engineer was the best person to apply to the local authority for prior consent for work on construction sites, when these were situated in noise-sensitive areas.