Last month the National Environment Agency of Singapore (NEA) introduced a special S$10million fund to incentivise construction companies to introduce noise reduction solutions into their site management plans. The Quieter Construction Fund (QCF) will offset up to 50% of the cost of purchasing or leasing noise reduction solutions.
Echo Barrier, the market-leading supplier of noise control barriers, wants to see similar measures introduced here in the UK, targeted at construction and maintenance companies operating on sites located close to or in residential or busy commercial areas.
Peter Wilson, Technical Director of Echo Barrier said: “More now than ever construction site managers have to bear in mind the impact they are having on local people located close to their sites. Putting acoustic attenuation measures in place makes commercial sense simply by enabling the team to work later into the day and so reduce time on site. “This is a win-win situation for all parties; reduced costs for the contractor and reduced disturbance to local residents. And that’s before you start talking about the potential savings in hassles and management time through reducing or eliminating noise complaints from the public, not to mention occupational health benefits to your own staff.
Authorities in Singapore have taken this important step in assisting construction companies to reduce their noise impact on local communities and we are urging the UK industry to act in a similar manner.” A rise in the number of noise complaints has led to this move in Singapore, and the NEA hopes that the fund will help reduce noise pollution and create a quieter living environment.
Echo barriers not only offer a reduction in noise from loud work sites, but they can reduce the amount of dust and debris escaping on to the street, and offer a high level of health protection for employees in terms of reducing exposure to a level of noise which can damage the ear. Barriers can also be designed to include the logo and branding of the company using them.
Echo barrier systems make noise management simple, fast and highly effective. Barriers are flexible, provide exceptional acoustic performance and are easy to store, transport and fit. They were recently recognised by the Institute of Acoustics and Noise Abatement Society at their annual awards. For more information about echo barrier visit www.echobarrier.co.uk
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