1 
 STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS  
 
2013 No……..  
 
THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT (NOISE AND VIBRATIONS STANDARDS AND 
CONTROL) REGULATIONS, 2013  
 
ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS.  
 
Regulation  
PART I - PRELIMINARY.  
1. Title .  
2. Interpretation.  
3. Purpose.  
4. Exemptions  
PART II - FUN CTIONS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES  
 
5. Functions and powers of local councils.  
6. Functions of Environment Committees.  
 
PART III-PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS.  
 
7. Noise Control Zones . 
8. Noise level guidelines.  
9.  General prohibitions.  
10. Establishment of permiss ible noise levels.  
11 Radio , TV and  other sound amplifying devices.   
12. Parties and social events .  
13. Hawkers, peddlers and touts.  
14. Machinery.  
15. Roads, traffic and construction noise.  
16. Noise from motor vehicles.  
17. Construction at night.  
18. N oise, excessive vibrations from construction, demolition, mining or quarrying sites.  
 
PART IV -CONTROL AND MITIGATION OF NOISE.  
 
19. Duty to control noise.  
20. Prevention and control.  
21. Prohibition of generation of noise by place and time.  
22. Noise in streets.  
23. Environment Impact Assessment.  
 
PART V - MEASUREMENT OF NOISE AND VIBRATION  
24. Measurement and control of noise.  
25. Measurement of noise.  
26. Noise metrics to measure.  
27. Measurement instruments.  
28. Conditions of Measurements.  
29. Methods o f measurement.  2 
 30. Location of measurements.  
31. Calibration and quality assurance.  
32. Recording of data.  
 
Measurement of Different Types of Noise  
33. Aviation noise.  
34. Impulsive noise.  
35. Trancient noise.  
36. Other noise.  
  
PART VI-LICENCE FOR NOISE I N EXCESS OF PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS.  
 
37. Application for a licence.  
38. Duty to comply with licence.  
39. Revocation of licence.  
40. Additional powers to lead agencies.  
41. Permits for fireworks, demolition, firing ranges and specific heavy duty indust ry. 
 
PART V II-ENFORCEMENT.  
42. Monitoring.  
43. Compla ints. 
44. Improvement notice.  
45. Closure notice.  
46. Power to confiscate machinery.  
47. Restitution of property.  
48. Existing activities   
PART VIII - VIBRATION  
     49. Definition.  
     50. Excessive vib rations.  
 
PART IX - GENERAL PROVISIONS  
    51. Noise and excessive vibrations mapping bodies.  
    52. Strategic noise and excessive vibrations maps.  
    53. Action plans for control of noise and vibrations.  
    54. Health surveillance.  
    55. Duty to carry  out Risk Assessment.  
    56. Assessment of risk to health created by vibration at the workplace.  
    57. General control of noise and vibrations  
    58. Protective equipment and reduced exposure time.  
    59. Elimination or control of exposure to vibratio n at the workplace.  
    60. Responsibility of the employer.  
    61. Protecting workers.  
    62. Persons to be informed.  
    63. Workers to comply.  
    64. Offences.  
    65. General penalty.  
     66. Revocation of S.I No. 30 of 2003  
 3 
 SCHEDULES.  
 
SCHEDULE  1 MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS FOR GENERAL 
ENVIRONMENT  
 
SECOND 2 MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVEL (CONTINUOUS OR 
INTERMITTEN NOISE) FROM A FACTORY OR WORKSHOP    
 
SHEDULE 3  MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVEL FOR IMPACT OR 
IMPULSIVE NOISE  
  
SCHEDULE 4  MAXIMU M PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS FOR 
CONSTRUCTION SITE  
 
SCHEDULE 5  MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS FOR PUBLIC 
ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM OR DEVICE  
 
SCHEDULE 6  MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS FOR PLACES OR 
ESTABLISHEMENTS OF ENTERTAINMENTS  
 
SCHEDULE 7  MAXIMUM PERMISSI BLE NOISE LEVELS FOR PLACES OR 
AREAS OF WORSHIP  
 
SCHEDULE 8  MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS FOR ROADS AND 
ROAD CONSTRUCTION  
 
SCHEDULE 9  MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS FOR 
ACCELERATING VEHICLES  
 
SCHEDULE 10  MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS FOR MINES AND 
QUARRIES  
 
SCHEDULE 11  MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS IN THE 
WORKPLACE IN THE VICINITY OF ULTRA SOUND  
 
SCHEDULE 12  PERMISSIBLE LIMITS FOR VIBRATION  
 
SCHEDULE 13  PART I - APPLICATION FOR LICENCE TO EMIT NOISE IN 
EXCESS OF PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS  
 
PART II - LICENCE TO EMIT NOISE IN EXCESS OF 
PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS  
 
 SCHEDULE  14 IMPROVEMENT NOTICE  
 
SCHEDULE 15  GUIDELINES FOR NOISE SOURCES AND VIBRATION  4 
 STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS  
 
2013 No……..  
 
The National En vironment (Noise and Vibrations) ( Standard s and Control) 
Regulations, 2013  
 
(Under sections 29 and 108 of the National Environment Act, Cap. 153)  
 
IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred on the Minister responsible for the National 
Environment Act, by sections 29 and 108, and on the recommendation of the Policy 
Committee on the Environment and the Board, these Regulations are made this ………21st 
day of………….., 2013.  
 
PART I - PRELIMINARY.  
1. Title   
These Regulations may be cited as the National Environment (Noise and Vibrations ) 
(Standards and Control) Re gulations, 2013.  
.  
2. Interpretation  
(1) In these Regulations, unless  the context otherwise requires -  
 
“Act”  means the National Environment Act;  
 
“A-weighting”  means a  frequen cy weighting applied to measure or predict  sound levels in 
order to compensate  for the non -linearity of human hearing;  
 
“annoyance”  means a feeling  of displeasure evoked by noise  or any feeling of resentment, 
discomfort or irritation occurring when noise intrudes into ano ther person’s thoughts or mood 
or interferes with any activity  being done by the affected person;  
 
“Authority”  means the National Environment Management Authority established by section 
5 of the Act;  
 
“construction”  includes erection, alteration, repair, dismantling, demolition, structural 
maintenance, painting, mo wing, land -clearing, earth -moving, grading, excavating, laying of 
pipes and conduits whether above or below ground level, street and highway building, 
concreting, installation and alteration of equipment, and the structural installation of 
construction com ponents and materials in any form or for any purpose that includes any work 
in connection with the construction;  
 
“daily exposure” means the quantity of noise or mechanical vibration to which a worker is 
exposed during a working day, normalised to an 8 -hour reference period, which takes account 
of the magnitude and duration of the noise or vibration;  
 
“dB (decibel)” means  the unit of sound pressure level, calculated as a loga rithm of the 
intensity of sound and 0dB  is the threshold of hearing and 120 dB is the threshold of pain.  
 
“dBA”  means the unit in decibels on the A scale for quiet sounds;  
 5 
 “decibels”  means a dimensionless unit used in comparison of the magnitude of sound 
pressures or powers;  
 
“District Environment Committee” means a District Environ ment Committee established 
under the Act;  
 
“disturbance”  means any act or instance of interrupting the rest, calm, attention or quiet of 
another person;  
 
“environmental i nspector”  means an environmental i nspector appointed under the Act ;  
 
“Executive Dir ector”  means the Exec utive Director of the Authority  or a person designated 
to act on his or her behalf;  
 
“free field ” means  noise  levels measured  or predicted such that there is no contribution 
made up of reflections from nearby building facades;  
 
“frequ ency band analysis” means noise and vibration measured using octave, half -octave 
and third octave band filters as defined in IEC Publication 225 ; 
“hand transmitted vibration” means intensive vibration that can be transmitted from 
vibrating tools, vibrating  machinery or vibrating work places to the hands and arms of 
operators;  
 
“hearing impairment” means hearing loss exceeding a designated criterion – 25 dB, 
averaged from the threshold levels at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz and  is the difference between 
the audib ility threshold  and the standard reference zero at each frequency as defined in 
International Standard ISO 389 -1975;  
 
“hertz” means t he unit of frequency (pitch) of a sound, formerly called cycles per second;  
 
“infrasound” means acoustic oscillation whose  frequency is too low to affect the sense of 
hearing;  
 
“improvement notice” means a notice issued under regulation 44;  
 
“impulsive noise” means a noise  consisting of one or more bursts of sound energy, each of a 
duration of less than 1 second;  
 
“intermitt ent noise” means a noise whose level suddenly drops to several times the level of 
the background noise;  
 
“lead agency”  means any agency to which the Authority delegates its functions under 
section 7 (2)  of the Act;  
 
“Leq, (T)” means t he equi valent contin uous sound level  or the sound level of a steady sound 
having the same energy as a fluctuating sound over a specified measuring period T  and  the  
T may be as short as 1 second when used to describe a single event  or as long 8 hours when 
used to describe n oise exposure during a working day or as 24 hours when used to describe 6 
 the noise climate at a specified location and  Leq,(T) can be measured directly with an 
integrating sound level meter;  
 
“licence”  means a licence to emit noise issued under regulation 37;  
 
“licensee”  means a person issued a licence under regulation  37;  
 
―LEQ” means - 
(a)  the equivalent continuous sound level which has the same energy content and 
consequently the same energy damage potential as the varying sound level; and  
(b) the A - weighted noise level averaged over the measurement period which  can be 
considered as the continuous steady noise level which would have the same total A - 
weighted acoustic energy as the real fluctuating noise over the same period of time as 
described be low- 
  LEQ = 10 Log 10 1/TʃoT (p (t)/p o) 2 dt 
where:  po   is the reference sound pressure, 20µPa,  
p (t) is the A -weighted sound varying with time  
T    is the time interval over which it is measured;  
“local council”  means local government councils and admini strative unit councils 
established under the Local Governments Act, Cap 243 ;  
 
“Local Environment Committee” means a Local Environment Committee established 
under the Act;  
 
“loudspeaker”  means any electro -magnetic or electrical or mechanical device capabl e of 
converting electrical signals or energy into sound, and includes an amplifier, microphone, 
gramophone or similar instrument;  
 
“mechanical vibration ” means  vibration occurring in a piece of machinery or equipment or 
in a vehicle as a result of its ope ration;  
 
“musical instrument”  means any article or thing adapted for use in making or reproducing 
musical sound and includes a radio receiver, television receiver, drum, keyboard, wind 
instrument, guitar, steel piano, cassette or compact disk player;  
 
“microphone”  means a transducer that converts an acoustic disturbance into an electrical 
output signal that is proportional to the acoustic disturbance;  
“noise” means any  sound which can result in hearing impairment or be harmful to health or 
otherwise dange rous and is subdivided into - 
(a) environme ntal noise covering road, rail and air  transport noise;  7 
 (b) neighbourhood noise from people and activities such as places of worship 
(churches, mosques), entertainment including bars, pubs, clubs, barking dogs and 
music lessons and neighbour noise ; and  
(c) industrial noise generated from stationary sources including  chemical or fertilizer 
production plants, refineries, asphalt plants, gravel crushers, manufacturing facilities, 
factories, electrical power plants, na tural gas processing plants, pipeline compressor 
or pumping stations;  
“noise pollution”  means the release of uncontrolled noise that is likely to cause danger to 
human health  or damage to the environment;  
 
“occupier” in relation to any premises or facilit y, includes a tenant, agent, manager, foreman  
or other person acting or apparently acting in the general manage ment or control of the 
premises  or of any plant or facility or machinery;  
 
“PEAK” means the maximum Peak Level in 1 -second interval;  
“Peak Parti cle Velocity (PPV)”  expressed in milli metres per second (mm/s) means a 
vibration indicator used for the purposes of assessing potential annoyance to humans or 
damage to buildings;  
 
“permissible noise levels”  means the levels of noise prescribed under these  Regulations ;  
 
“person responsible”  in relation to the emission of noise, means the person  to whose act, 
default or sufferance , the noise is attributable;  
 
“phon” means a unit of loudness which  is, by definition , equal to the sound pressure level 
(SPL) of that 1000 Hz tone which is equally loud under  specified listening conditions namely 
a 1000 Hz pure tone heard at an SPL of 40 dB at reference pressure: 20 µPa under specified 
listening conditions; 
 
“place of entertainment”  means a building or other place  where activities of amusement, 
entertaining, playing of music, dancing, performing of shows takes place;  
 
“point of reception” means a point on any premises where sound or vibration originating 
from other premises or areas is received;  
 
“SEL (sound expo sure level)” means the constant sound level which has the same amount 
of energy in one second as the original sound event  and i s similar to Leq in that the total 
sound energy is integrated over the measurement period but instead of integrating it over the 
entire measurement period, reference measurement  duration of one second is used;  
  
“sound”  means a fluctuation in pressure, particle displacement  or particle ve locity 
propagated in any medium  or the auditory sensation that may be produced;  
 
“street” means  a highway, road or path to which the public have access, and includes a 
bridge over which a street passes  and a privately owned road or path to which the public is 
granted access, whether generally or conditionally;  8 
 “ultrasound” means a sound oscillation  whose frequency is too high to affect human  
hearing;  
“vehicle”  includes a machine or implement of any kind drawn or propelled along a street, 
whether by animal, mechanical, e lectrical or other motive power;   
“vibration” means any vibration which is transm itted to the human body through solid 
structures and is harmful to health or otherwise dangerous;  
“whole -body vibration” means vibration transmitted to the body as a whole through the 
supporting surface, namely the feet of a standing worker, the buttocks o f a seated worker  or 
the supporting area of a reclining man and is usual in vehicles, in vibrating buildings, and in 
the vicinity of working machinery and applies to vibration transmitted from solid surfaces to 
the human body in the frequency range 1 -80 Hz ; 
“working day”  means a daily working period, irrespective of the time of day when it begins 
or ends, and of whether it begins or ends on the same calendar day.  
 (2) Where more than one person is responsible for noise, these Regulations apply to each of 
those persons, whether or not the noise for which any one of them is responsible would itself 
amount to noise pollution or would result in a level of noise justifying action under these 
Regulations.  
 “vibration” means the movement of the body caused by mech anical rotating or revolving 
tools and entering the body at the feet, the seat or the fingers or the palm of the hands  such as 
from the organ in contact with vibrating equipment ;  
“sound pressure level ” means  the m aximum RMS level in 1 -second interval ; 
“instantaneous noise” means the sampled RMS level at 1 -second intervals;  
“sound exposure level”   means the constant sound level acting for 1 second which has the 
same amount of acoustic energy as the original sound and  an alternative energy parameter to 
the LEQ  used to compare single noise events including vehicle pass -by; 
3. Purpose of Regulations  
The purpose o f these Regulations is to provide for  the maintenance o f a healthy environment 
for people  and wildlife  in Uganda, the tranquillity  of their surround ings and psychological 
well-being by regulating noise  and vibration levels, and generally, to elevate the stand ard of 
living of the people  and the safety of  wildlife  by- 
 
(a) prescribin g regulations and standards  to  control noise and vibration and preserve  the 
quality of the environment for humans and human interests including wild life and 
buildings;  
 
(b) prescribing the maximum noise  and vibration  levels from a facility or activity to 
which the person may be exposed;  
 
(c) providing for the control of noise and fo r mitigating measures for the reduction of 
noise  and vibration ;   
 
(d) providing an effective technical measures needed to – 9 
  
(i) reduce noise and vibration emission by the various machine 
sources;  
 
(ii) prevent the propagation, amplification and reverberation of 
noise  and vibration; and  
 
(iii) isolate and protect the sensitive areas from the noise and 
vibration;  
 
(e) setting out strategies for the control of noise and vibration at the sources including - 
(i) factories;  
 
(ii) places of worship;  
 
(iii) places of entertainment;  
 
(iv) traffic;  
 
(v) places o f care and treatment (hospitals);  
 
(vi) suppliers;  
 
(vii) petroleum activities including exploration, production, 
development, pipelines, refineries; and  
 
(viii) construction sites;  
 
(f) placing responsibility upon the person who creates the noise and vibration;  
 
(g) putti ng in place a mechanism to identify, involve and empower other key players in 
the control of noise and vibration, and spell out their duties in their control including - 
 
(i) local authorities;  
 
(ii) the police;  
 
(iii) lead agencies;  and  
 
(iv)  The National Environment Manag ement Authority ; 
 
(h) providing for zone out areas with different land uses and set standards;  
 
(i) creating  offence s and penalties; and  
 
(j)  generally for giving effect to the provisions of section 29 of the Act.  
 
4. Exemptions.  
These Regulations do not apply to - 
 10 
 (a) the emission of noise for the purpose of alerting persons to the existence of an 
emergency;  
 
(b)  emissions from military operations;  
 
(c) the emission of noise in the performance of emergency response;  
 
(d) the emission of noise in connection with the protection of  the health and safety of 
residents or their property during emergency conditions;  
 
(e) warning devices necessary for the protection of public safety, such as police, fire and 
ambulance sirens, and train horns; or  
 
(f) parades and national celebrations  
 
PART II - FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL AUTHORITES  
 
5. Functions and powers of local councils  
(1) A local council may, in accordance with the Local Governments Act, make bylaws 
regulating noise and vibration pollution.  
 
(2) The byl aws made by a local council under subregulati on (1) shall not be inconsistent with 
the Act or these Regulations.  
 
6. Functions of Environment Committees  
(1) A District Environment Committee -  
 
(a) is responsible for co -ordinating, monitoring and advising the District Council 
on compliance with, and enf orcement of any by-law made  under subregulation  
4; and  
 
(b) shall determine the times and places when noise may be emitted in its area of 
jurisdiction.  
 
(2) A Loc al Environment Committee shall - 
 
(a) enforce and ensure compliance with the Act, these Regulations a nd any other 
bylaw made  in accordance with regulation 4;  
 
(b) investigate complaints relating to noise  or vibration  and cause abatement of 
noise  or vibration ;  
 
(c) prohibit the continuation of undesirable activities which cause noise  and 
vibrations  in excess o f the permissible levels; and  
 
(d) exempt certain activities, including emergency situations and traditional 
community activities, from the application of these Regulations.  
 
 
 11 
 PART III- PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS.  
 
7. Noise Control Zones  
(1) The Executive Di rector may, in consultation with a local council, by notice in the Gazette , 
designate any area as a Noise Control Zone for the purpose of controlling the emission of 
noise in that area.  
 
(2) A notice issued under subregulation (1) shall describe and delim it the area to which it 
applies, including the r adius of the Noise Control Zone  and shall define the period and time 
of the day during which persons are subject to control, or a particular building which is 
subject to control.  
 
(3) Where the area in resp ect of which a Noise Control Zone notice is issued is within a 
specified radius of any specified building, the notice shall describe and delimit the area by 
reference to that area, building and radius.  
 
(4) A person who fails to comply with a notice issue d under this regulation commits an 
offence  and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or 
imprisonment not exceeding one year or both and in case of a continuing offence, to an 
additional fine not exceeding one thousand currency points for every day or part of the day 
during which the offence continues.  
 
8. Noise Level g uidelines  
(1) Noise impacts shall not exceed the levels pres cribed under  these Regulations or result in a 
maximum increase in background levels of 3 dB at  the nearest receptor location off -site. 
 
(2) Highly intrusive noises  including  noise  and vibration from aircraft flyovers and passing 
trains, sh all not be included when establishing background noise  and vibration levels.  
 
9. General Prohibitions.  
(1) Exce pt as provided under  these Regulations, a person shall  not  make or cause to be made 
any loud, unreasonable, unnecessary or unusual noise  or vibration  which annoys, disturbs, 
injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of others and the env ironment.  
 
(2) In determining whether noise  or vibration  is loud, unreasonable, unnecessary or unusual, 
the following factors may be considered - 
 
(a) time of the day;  
 
(b) proximity to residential area;  
 
(c) whether the noise  or vibration is recurrent, intermittent o r constant;  
 
(d) the level and intensity of the noise;  
 
(e) whether the noise  or vibration  has been enhanced in level or range by any type of 
electronic or mechanical means; and  
 
(f) whether the noise  or vibration can be controlled without much effort or expense to t he 
person making the noise.  12 
  
(3) A person who contravenes the provisions of this Regulation commits an offence  and is 
liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or imprisonment not 
exceeding one year or both and in case of a c ontinuing offence, to an additional fine not 
exceeding one thousand currency points for every day or part of the day during which the 
offence continues.  
 
10. Establishment of permissible noise levels  
(1) The maximum noise levels from a facility in the general/community  environment  to 
which a person may be exposed shall not exceed the level specified in Schedule 1  to these 
Regulations.   
 
(2) The maximum noise levels of continuous or intermittent noi se from a factory or a 
workshop  to which a person may be ex posed shall not exceed the level specified in Schedule  
2 to these Regulations .  
 
(3) The maximum noise level from impact or impulsive noise to which a person may be 
exposed shall be as specified in Schedule 3  to these Regulations.   
 
(4) The maximum noise l evel from a construction site to which a person may be exposed, 
shall not exceed the level specified in Schedule 4 to these Regulations.   
 
(5) The maximum noise level from  a public announcement system,  address system or device 
to which a person in the Nois e Control Zone may be exposed, shall not exceed the level 
specified in Schedule 5 to these Regulations .  
 
(6) The maximum noise level f rom a place of entertainment or establishment,  to which a 
person  may be exposed, shall not exceed the level specified in Schedule 6 to these 
Regulations .  
 
(7) The maximum noise level from a place or area of worship to which a person in the 
specified Noise Control Zone may be exposed shall not exceed the level specified in 
Schedule 7 to these Regulations .  
 
(8) The maximum n oise level from roads and road construction to which a person may be 
exposed in the category specified shall not exceed the level specified in Schedule 8 to these 
Regulations  
 
(9) The maximum noise level from an accelerating vehicle to which a person may b e exposed 
in the category specified shall not exceed the level specified in  Schedule 9 to these 
Regulations  
 
(10) The maximum noise level from a quarry or mine to which a person in the facility 
specified may be exposed shall not exceed the level specified in Schedule  10 to these 
Regulations.  
 
(11) The maximum allowable sound pressure levels in the workplace in the vicinity of 
ultrasound to which a person may be exposed in the category specified shall not exceed the 
level specified in Schedule 11 to these Re gulations  
 13 
 11. Radio, T V and  other sound amplifying devices  
(1) A person shall not use or operate any radio or receiving set, musical instrument, 
phonograph, television set, any other machine or device for producing or reproducing sound 
or any other sound -amplifying equipment in a loud, annoying or offensive manner such that 
the, noise from the device - 
 
(a) interferes with the comfort, repose, health or safety of members of the public;  
 
(b) creates a risk  within any building or   outside of a building, at a distanc e of 30 meters 
or more from the source of such sound; or  
 
(c) interferes with the conversation of members of the public who are 30 meters or more 
from the source of such sound.  
 
(2) Any person who contravenes this Regulation commits an offence  and is liable on  
conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or imprisonment not 
exceeding one year or both and in case of a continuing offence, to an additional fine not 
exceeding one thousand currency points for every day or part of the day during whi ch the 
offence continues.  
 
(3) For the purposes of this r egulation, ―person‖ includes – 
 
(a) where the  offence  occurs on any public property where permission was obtained to 
use that public property, the person or persons who obtained permission to utilize t hat 
property for that event;  
 
(b) where the offence that occurs on private property, any adult person or persons who 
live in or on the property that is involved in the offence; and  
 
(c) wher e the offence occurs after granting of a license pursuant to this Regulati on, the 
person or persons who are listed on the licen ce. 
 
12. Parties and social events.  
(1) A person in charge of a party or other social event which occurs on any private or public 
property shall ensure that the party or event does not produce noise in a  loud,  annoying or 
offensive manner that interferes with the comfort, repose, health or safety of members of the 
public withi n any buildi ng or  outside of a building  or recklessly creates the risk to health and 
the environment , at a distanc e of 30 meters or  more from the source of the sound.  
 
(2) Any person who contravenes this Regulation commits an offence  and is liable on 
conviction to  a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or imprisonment not 
exceeding one year or both and in case of a continuin g offence, to an additional fine not 
exceeding one thousand currency points for every day or part of the day during which the 
offence continues.  
 
(3) For the purposes of this Regulation, a person in ch arge of a party or other social event - 
 
(a) that occurs on any public property shall include the person or persons who obtained 
permission to utilize that property for that event;  
 14 
 (b) that occurs on private property shall include the person who owns the premises 
involved and any adult person who lives in or on the pr emises involved in such party 
or social event;  and  
 
(c) shall include the person who is listed on a permit issued by the Authority  or local 
council  with respect to the event . 
 
13. Hawkers, peddlers and touts  
(1) A person shall  not- 
 
(a) tout, advertise, promote or sell any goods; or  
 
(b) engage in any commercial activity,  
 
in such manner as to emit noise by shouting within the Central Business District  of any town, 
a residential area, a silent zone, or any other area declared as a silent zone  or noise control 
zone by  the Authority.  
 
(2) Subregulation (1) shall not apply to the selling by shouting of merchandise, food and 
beverag es at licensed sporting events, parades, fairs, circuses and other similar licensed 
public entertainment events.  
 
(2) Any person who contraven es this Regulation commits an offence  and is liable on 
conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or imprisonment not 
exceeding one year or both and in case of a continuing offence, to an additional fine not 
exceeding one thousand curre ncy points for every day or part of the day during which the 
offence continues.  
 
14. Machinery.  
(1) A person wishing to operate or repair any machinery, motor vehicle, construction 
equipment or other equipment, pump, fan, air -conditioning apparatus o r simi lar mechanical 
device engage in any comm ercial or industrial activity, which is likely to emit noise or 
excessive vibrations , shall carry out the activity   within the relevant levels prescribed in the 
Schedule s to these Regulations.  
 
(2) Any person who con travenes this Regulation commits an offence  commits an offence and 
is liable to  a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or imprisonment not exceeding 
one year or both and in case of a continuing offence, to an additional fine not exceeding one 
thousand currency points for every day or part of the day during which the offence continues.  
 
15. Roads, traffic and construction noise  
(1) Subject to these Regulations, a person shall not, for traffic activities emit noise in exces s 
of th e level specified i n Schedule 8 to these Regulations , unless permitted under  a licence 
issued by the Authority .  
 
(3) A  person who contravenes subregulation (1) commits an offence  and is liable on 
conviction to  a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or imprisonment  not 
exceeding one year or both and in case of a continuing offence, to an additional fine not 
exceeding one thousand currency points for every day or part of the day during which the 
offence continues.  15 
  
16. Noise from motor vehicles.  
(1) A person shall not operate a motor vehicle which produces  any loud or unusual sound in 
excess of the maximum level specified in Schedule  9 to these Regulations.  
 
 (2) A person  shall not at any time sound the horn or ot her warning device of a vehicle except 
when necessary t o prevent an accident or an incident.  
 
(3) The Traffic and Road Safety Act  shall apply in addition to this Regulation.  
 
(4) A  person who contravenes the provisions of this Regulation commits an offence  and is 
liable on conviction to  a fine not exceeding on e hundred currency points or imprisonment not 
exceeding one year or both and in case of a continuing offence, to an additional fine not 
exceeding one thousand currency points for every day or part of the day during which the 
offence continues.  
 
17. Constru ction at night.  
(1) Subject to subregulation  (2) , a person shall  not operate construction equipmen t including 
any pile driver, steam shovel, pneumatic hammer, der rick or steam or electric hoist  at night  
or perform any outside construction or repair work  at night so as to emit noise in excess of 
the permissible levels  prescribed  in Schedule  4  to these Regulations.  
 
(2) This Regulation shall not prevent - 
 
(a) any construction  work of an emergency nature;  
 
(b) work of a domestic nature on buildings, structures or projects being undertaken by a 
person residing in such premises; or  
 
(c) public utility construction, or, with respect to construction of public works, projects 
exclusively relating to roads, bridges, airports, public school s and sidewalks.  
 
(3) Where  any domestic power tool including  mechanically powered saws, sanders, grinders 
and lawn and garden t ools used outdoors, is operated during the night  time hours, a  person 
shall not operate such m achinery so as to cause noise within a residential building or acro ss a 
residential building where the noise interferes with the comfort, repose, health or safety of 
members of the public within any building or  outside of a building, at 30 meters or more from 
the source of the sound.  
 
(4) A person who contravenes the prov isions of this regulation commits an offence and is 
liable on conviction to  a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or imprisonment not 
exceeding one year or both and in case of a continuing offence, to an additional fine not 
exceeding one thousan d currency points for every day or part of the day during which the 
offence continues.  
 
 18. Noise, excessiv e vibrations from construction, demolition, mining or quarrying 
sites.  
(1) Where defined work of construction, demolition, minin g or quarrying is to  be carried out 
in an area, the Authority may impose requirements o n how the work is to be carried out 
including but not limited to requirements regarding - 16 
  
(a) machinery that may be used, and  
 
(b) the permitted levels of noise as prescribed  in the respective Sch edules  to these 
Regulations.  
 
(2) The relevant lead agency shall ensure that mines and quarries where explosives an d 
machinery are used are located in designated areas and not less than two kilometres  away 
from human settlements.  
 
(3) Any person carrying o ut construction, demolition, mining or quarrying work shall  ensure 
that the vibration levels do not exceed 0.5 ce ntimetres per second beyond any source property 
boundary or 30 metres from any moving source.  
 
(4) A person who contravenes the provisions of t his regulation commits an offence and is 
liable on conviction to  a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or imprisonment not 
exceeding one year or both and in case of a continuing offence, to an additional fine not 
exceeding one thousand currency points for every day or part of the day during which the 
offence continues.  
 
PART IV - CONTROL AND MITIGATION OF NOISE.  
 
19. Duty to control noise  
(1) The owner of machinery or the owner or occupier of a facil ity or premises  or person 
responsible for any a ctivity, shall  use the best  practicable means to ensure that the emission 
of noise  and vibration  from that machinery, facility,  premises  or activity does not exceed the 
permissible noise levels.  
 
(2) The owner of machinery  or the owner or occupier of an i ndustry or establishment shall 
install, at the premises, sound level meters for the measurement and monitoring of sound 
from the industry or establishment to ensure that the noise emitted does not exceed the 
permissible noise levels.  
 
(4) A person who con travenes regulation commits an offence and is liable on conviction to  a 
fine not exceeding one thousand currency points or imprisonment not exceeding one year or 
both and in case of a continuing offence, to an additional fine not exceeding one thousand 
currency points for every day or part of the day during which the offence continues.  
 
20. Prevention and control  
(1) The owner or operator of a facility , machinery or premises  shall apply noise and vibration 
prevention and mitigation measures where predicted or measured noise or vibration impacts 
from the facility , machinery, premises or operations exceed the applicable noise level 
provided under these Regulations  at the most sensitive point of reception.  
 
(2) The  owner or operator of a  facility, machinery, pr emises or operations  shall control noise  
and vibration from the station ary sources and implement noise and vibration control measures 
at the source.  
 
(3) The methods for prevention and control of sources of noise emissions  shall depend on the 
source of the  noise  or vibration and proximity of receptors.  17 
  
(4) Noise reduction options to be co nsidered by the operator shall include - 
 
(a) selecting equipment with lower sound power levels;  
 
(b) installing silencers for fans;  
 
(c) installing suitable mufflers on engine exhaust s and compressor components;  
 
(d) installing acoustic enclosures for equipment casing radiating noise;  
 
(e) improving the acoustic performance of constructed bu ildings, apply sound 
insulation; or  
 
(f) installing acoustic barriers without gaps and with a continuous mi nimum surface 
density of 10 kg/m2 in order to minimize the transmission of sound through the 
point  of reception or receptor . 
  
(5) At the design stage of a project, equipment manufacturers shall provide design or 
construction specifications in the form of ―Insertion Loss Performance‖ for silencers and 
mufflers, and ―Transmission Loss Performance‖ for acoustic enclosures and upgraded 
building construction barrier.  
 
(6) Barriers shall be located as close to the source or to the receptor  location to be effect ive 
for - 
(a) installing vibration isolation for mechanical equipment;  
 
(b) limiting the hours of operation for specific pieces of equipment or operations, 
especially mobile sources operating through community areas;  
 
(c) re-locating noise sources to less sensitive ar eas to take advantage of distance and 
shielding siting permanent facilities away from community areas if possible;  
 
(d) taking advantage of the natural topography as a noise buffer during facility design;  
 
(e) reducing project traffic routing through community are as wherever possible;  
 
(f) planning flight routes, timing and altitude for aircraft (airplane and helicopter) 
flying over community areas;  or  
 
(g) developing a mechanism to record and respond to complaints.  
 
21. Prohibition of generation of noise by place and tim e  
(1) A person shall not emit, cause or permit the emission of noise resulting from any act 
specified in subregulation (2)  if that noise is clearly audible at a point of reception or in the 
neighbourhood for more than two minutes or is within the prohibit ed time in a residential 
area or Noise Control Zone  as determined by the Executive Director or a local council under 
regulation 5.  
 
(2) The acts referr ed to in subregulation (1) include - 18 
  
(a) yelling, laughing, clapping, shouting, hooting, pounding, whistling  and singing;  
 
(b) selling or advertising by shouting,  outcry or amplified sound;  
  
(c) operation of any equipment in connection with construction;  
 
(d) detonation of fireworks or explosive devices not used in construction;  
 
(e) operating any auditory signalling device , including but not limited to the ringing 
of bells or gongs and the blowing of horns or sirens or whistles, or the production, 
reproduction or amplification of any similar sound by electronic means; and  
 
(f) operating or playing a radio or musical instrument  or any electronic device or 
group of connected devices incorporating one or more loudspeakers, transducers 
or other electro -mechanism, which is intended for the production, reproduction or 
amplification of sound.  
 
(3) Notwithstanding subregulation (1), a  local council may permit the operation of an 
electronic device or loudspeakers or the emission of noise for purposes of creating public 
awareness, demonstration, religious assembly, political debate, cinematography, and musical  
or other theatrical enterta inment, beauty competition, handicraft show, fair, circus, private 
dance, party, lecture or public hearing.  
 
(4) Subre gulation (1) does not apply to - 
 
(a) noise caused by the operation of a loudspeaker or siren for fire brigade, ambulance 
or police purposes;  
 
(b) noise caused by emergency measures undertaken to safeguard health, safety or 
welfare of the people;  
 
(c)  noise caused, or continuance of noise caused by a person as a result of temporary 
or accidental cause which could not have been prevented by the exercis e of due 
diligence and care on the part of that person;  
 
(d) noise caused by the horn of a vehicle for the purpose of giving sufficient warning 
of the approach or position of the vehicle;  
 
(e) noise caused at or by an educational class or recreation in or around  a school, 
college, university or other educational institution;  
 
(f) noise caused at or by athletics or  during a sports  event ;  
 
(g) noise caused at a cultural activity or cultural show, funeral service or rite held 
between the hours of 6.00 a.m. and 11.00 p. m . of the same day in any area;  
 
(h) noise caused at a marriage ceremony or wedding celebration or ritual between the 
hours of 8.00 a.m. and 11.00 p.m. of the same day; or  
 19 
 (i) noise caused during a period, or by such a cause or for a purpose as the Executive 
Director may, by notice, specify.  
 
 (5) For purposes of this regulation, a residential or Noise Control Zone means a geographical 
area that encompasses hospitals, schools, residential houses and other institutions that require 
special considerations for nois e control.  
 
(6) A person who contravenes the provisions of this Regulation commits an offence and is 
liable on conviction to  a fine not exceeding one thousand currency points or imprisonment 
not exceeding one year or both and in case of a continuing offen ce, to an additional fine not 
exceeding one thousand currency points for every day or part of the day during which the 
offence continues.  
 
 22. Noise on the streets  
Subject to these Regulations, and except where permitted in accordance with the Police Act, a 
loudspeaker shall not be operated in a street between the hours of 11.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m. 
the following day, for any purpose.  
 
23. Environmental Impact Assessment.  
Any person intending to carry out construction, demolition, mining or quarrying work shall, 
during the Environmental Impact Assessment studies - 
 
(a) identify natural resources, land uses or activities which may be affected by noise or 
excessive vibrations from the construction, demolition, mining or quarrying;  
 
(b) determine the measures which are  needed in the plans and specifications to minimize 
or eliminate adverse construction, demolition, mining or quarrying noise or vibration 
impacts; and  
 
(c) incorporate the needed abatement measures in the plans and specifications.  
 
PART  V- MEASUREMENT OF NOISE  AND VIBRATION  
24. Measurement and control of noise  
(1) A person shall not cause noise from any source which exceeds any sound level as set out  
in the applicable Schedule to these Regulations.  
(2) Measurements shall be taken by the person causing the noise . 
 
(3) Where the person responsible for the emission of noise or vibration fails to undertake 
measurements under su bregulation (2) after being given reasonable notice by the Authority, 
the measurement shall be taken by a person dully authorized by the Auth ority, who is 
knowledgeable in the proper use of the measuring equipment  at the cost of the person 
responsible for the noise . 
 
(4) The Authority  may, in consultation with the relevant lead agency  or local council is sue 
guidelines for the measurement of noi se and excessive vibration.  
 
(5) Any person who makes noise in excess of the prescribed levels commits an offence  and is 
liable on conviction to  a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or imprisonment not 20 
 exceeding one year or both and in case of a continuing offence, to an additional fine not 
exceeding one thousand currency points for every day or part of the day during which the 
offence continues.  
  
25. Measurement of noise  
(1) A person responsible for noise pollution or likely noise pollution sh all undertake 
measurement of noise in accordance with these Regulations.  
(2) The purpose of m easurement of noise  shall  be to - 
(a) ensure compliance with the se Regulations;  
 
(b) investigate complaints;  
 
(c) evaluate remedial measures;  
 
(d) assess the number of persons expo sed; 
 
(e) confirm compliance with land use planning and environmental impact assessment;  
 
(f) establish trends;  
 
(g) carry out research noise surveys; and  
 
(h) ensure calibration and validation of predictions such as in road constructions.  
 
26. Noise metrics to measure  
(1) The lead agency, owner or operator of a facility, equipment or responsible person shall 
use Leq, as a metric  to measure continuous noise such as ro ad traffic noise, industrial noise, 
and noise  from v entilation systems in buildings  and live music perform ance.  
(2) When there are distinct events to the noise such as with aircraft fly by or railway noise 
passing by, measurements of individual events shall  be obtained using Leq (max) in addition 
to plain Leq and SEL.  
27. Measurement instruments  
(2) T he noise  emitted shall be measured by means of a sound -level meter of the Type 1 .  
 
(3) In choosing an instrument to measure noise, the operator or owner of a facility or 
equipment shall ensure that the  dynamic  of the instrument range is sufficiently wide to 
prevent ―overshoot‖ when measuring impulses and that the frequency response is broad 
enough where  infrasound or ultrasound is to be measured.  
 
(4) The instrument for measurement of noise shall be capable of making measurements of 
frequencies as low as 2 Hz for infrasound and up to at least 20 kHz for ultrasound, with 
microphones that are sufficiently small.  
 
(5) The sound level meter shall be fitted with a 1/2 -inch condenser microphone whose 
frequency range is 2 Hz - 40 Hz (within ±2dB) and with a dynamic r ange of 22 - 160 dB 21 
 and shall be capable of being set to ―fast‖ (F), ―Slow‖ (S),  ―Instant‖ (I) or ―Maximum‖ 
(Max),  ―Minimum‖ (Min), or ―Peak Hold‖ and ―All Pass‖ . 
 
 (6) Sound level meters shall be categorized by their precision, ranging from the most pre cise 
(Type 0) to the least (Type 3).  
(7) Meter Types may be used as follows - 
(a) Type 0 meter for laboratory;  
(b)  Type 1 meter for other prec ision sound level measurements;  
(c) Type 2 meter for general purpose meter; and  
(d) Type 3 meter for survey and is not recommended for industrial use.  
(7) For evidence taking measurements, Type 1 meters shall  be used.  
28. Conditions of Measurements  
(1) Measurement of noise shall be carried out in fine weather with little wind.  
 
(2) Where there is any amount of win d, a wind shield must be fitted to the sound level 
meter .  
 
(3) No person other than the observer taking the readings from the apparatus may remain 
near the microphone, or obstruct the sound pressure wave as the presence of spectators near 
either the objec tive or the microphone may considerably affect the readings from the 
apparatus.  
 
(4) Marked fluctuations of the pointer which appear to be unrelated to the characteristics of 
the general sound level shall be ignored in taking readings.  
  
29. Method of me asurement.    
(1) At least two measurements shall be made on each side of the object.  
 
(2) Preliminary measurements may be made for adjustment purposes but shall be 
disregarded.  
 
(3) The microphone shall be situated 1.2 metres above ground level at a dist ance of 7.5 
metres, for traffic noise, and 2 metres from the façade for other measurements to avoid the 
effect of reflections from the façade on the true value of the reading.  
 
(4) For single event noise, the maximum sound level, Leq (Max), recorded shall  constitute 
the result of the measurement.  
 
(5) The measurements shall be considered valid if the difference between two consecutive 
measurements on the same side of the objective does not exceed 2 dB A.  
 
(6) Measurements of sound level may be averaged ove r two distinctly different periods of 
time.  22 
 (7) Steady sound levels and instantaneous levels of variable sounds  shall be  measured on a 
very short time scale of 1 second or less.  
(8) Variable sounds may be measured with a much longer average time, over pe riods of hours 
if necessary, and shall be  expressed in terms of the equivalent continuous sound pressure 
level ( Leq) .  
30. Location of measurements  
(1) Measurements shall  be made close to the receiver of the noise rather than the source of it; 
for example if there is concern about residents exposed to traffic noise, the measure ment shall 
be close to the location of the residents rather than close to the road.  
 
(2) To avoid reflections from nearby acoustically reflecting surfaces, the microphone  shall be  
located at least 3.5 metres from the surfaces  when located outdoors.  
 
(3) The microphone shall  be at the height of from 1.2 to 1.5 metres above the ground or floor.  
 
31. Calibration and quality assurance  
(1) Microphones for measurement of noise shall be individually calibrated at the factory, and 
the calibration chart must be delivered and be with the instrument.  
 
(2) In t he field, calibration shall be performed by applying a known sound pressure level at a 
fixed frequency to the microphone.  
 
(3) Calibrato rs shall be small, battery driven and operate on different principles , operate at 
250 Hz and produce a sound level of 124 dB, accurate to + 0.2 dB.  
 
(4) To obtain the best results, the microphone shall  be well sealed in the coupler opening.  
 
(5) A change  in atmospheric pressure alters the calibration level slightly, but a correction can 
be made using the barometer which is provided as a part of the instrument set  or a pocket 
unit, which operates at 1000 Hz.  
 
(6) The calibration level shall be 94 dB with an accuracy of + 0.5 dB.  
 
(7) The use of a calibrator as defined by IEC 60942  is recommended for checking the 
accuracy of hand -held indicating instruments, and shall  be used when tape recording data.  
 
(8) Accurate calibration of equipment shall be used in  the field  to provide  for- 
 
(a)  consistency in measurements;  
 
(b)  allows accurate comparison of measurement s made over long time 
intervals;  
 
(c)  brings to light any slight changes in t he accuracy of instrumentation; and  
 
(d) allows a reanalysis of data, if required  at a later date.  
 23 
 (9) In order to check the frequency response and the amplitude response of the equipment , 
care in the use of calibration for field measurements shall  be backed up by regular laboratory 
calibration using more accurate techniques.  
 
(10) S ound level metres shall  be calibrated using small factory calibrated sound sources.  
 
(11) Calibrations shall  be made daily and before measurements and shall  be done more often 
if there is a possibility that handling of the sound level meter may have modified  its 
sensitivity.   
 
(12) A calibration check shall  be made both before and after the measurement.   
 
(13) Annual factory calibration of all noise measuring equipment to traceable standards shall 
be carried o ut in accordance with ISO 1994 . 
 
32. Recording of data  
When noise is measured in a  working environment, adequate data shall  be collected 
including - 
(a) the location, nature, dimensions and other distinctive features of the place of work or 
environment where measurements are made;  
(b) the source or sources of the noise, the location of the source in the plant or 
environment, and the type of work being done or activity happening;  
(c) the instrument used, its accessories, the results of calibration tests, and the values 
indicated;  
(d) the location at which measurements were made, and the direction of the microphone;  
(e) the number of workers or subjects exposed to noise;  
(f) the duration of workers exposure; and  
(g) the date and time, and the name of the observer.  
Measurement of Different Types of Noise.  
33. Aviation noise  
(1) The  measu rements for long -term average sound pressure levels from aircraft near air ports 
shall include different network weightings, different summations of levels and number of 
events as well as different times of the day weightings.  
(2) Aviation noise measureme nts shall be based on an equal  energy approach and hence sum 
up the total energy of the number of aircraft fly -overs  and the  measurements  shall be  based 
on the Leq A -Weightings.  
(3) Where low frequency noise is predominant, the measurements shall  be done  in C-
Weighting  network giving dBC values  and f requency analysis shall  be carried out.  
34. Impulsive noise  24 
 (1)  Impulsive noise shall consist  of one or more bursts of sound energy, each of duration of 
less than about one second as specified in ISO, 1973a .  
 
(2) Sources of impulsive noise may include impacts of all kinds  including  hammer blows, 
gun shots,  explosions including fireworks, and sonic booms,  or other blasts and significantly 
exceed the background sound pressure level for a very short duration heard singly or  as in the 
case of a stamping press, repetitively.  
 
(3) To characterize sounds acoustically,  the owner or operator of a facility or machinery shall  
estimate the peak  sound pressures together with the duration, rise time, repetition rate, and 
the number of pulses.  
 
(4) The mean square pressure of the sound referred to under subregulation (3)  may change so 
rapidly that it cannot be measured with a conventional sound level meter, even using the "fast 
response" (0.1 sec) setting.  
 
(6) For more ac curate measurements, a 35-millisecond averaging time shall be specified for 
standard "impulse" sound level meters  as specified under IEC, 1973b .  
 
(7) The averaging time of the inner ear is very short (about 30 microseconds) and some new 
impulse sound leve l meters have "peak hold" settings with an averaging time of 20 
microseconds and the meter response time must be shorter to measure the impulse type 
sounds.   
 
(8) C-Weighted  levels may  be used for specific events including noise from  gun shots.  
  
35. Tranc ient noise  .  
For trancient noise, Leg (Min) dBA shall be recorded because it may result in wide variations 
from background noise to maximum level and if only the maximum level is reported, 
informatio n on the duration of the noise, an important feature  for rating annoyance is lost 
which makes it difficult to compare between rapid and slow events, and to combine different 
events for noise.  
 
36. Other types of noise  
Speech intelligibi lity and Indoor noise shall be measured using the Leq A -Weightings.  
 
PART VI- LICENCE FOR NOISE IN E XCESS OF PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS.  
 
37. Application for a licence  
(1) An owner or occupier of premises  or a person responsible   whose works or activities are 
likely to emit noise in excess of the permissible noise levels shall a pply to  the Executive 
Director in the F orm prescribed in Part I of Schedule  13, for a licence to emit noise in excess 
of the permissible levels.  
 
 (2) An applicant for the licence under these Regulations shall provide the following 
information - 
 
(a) the reaso ns for  the usage, including a demonstration as to why it is desirable or  
necessary that the sound source involved be authorized by a licence under these  
Regulation;  25 
  
(b) plans and specifications of the use  of the licence ; 
 
(c) noise -abatement and control methods to be used with respect to the sound source 
involved;  
 
(d) the period of time during which the licence shall apply;  
 
(e) the name of the person(s) who is responsible for ensuring that the activity 
complies with any licence issued under these Regulations; and  
 
(f) evidence that notification of the application for the licence has been given to each 
person reasonably expected to be affected by the noise, the content of such 
notification and the manner in which such notification has been given, if the event 
is not a commun ity or public event.  
 
(3) The notification referred to under subregulation (3) shall state that any person objecting to 
the granting of such a licence may contact the appropriate office to whom the application is 
being made to express his or her opposition  to the granting of the licence.  
 
(4) When determining whether a licence should be issued, the factors the Authority shall 
consider shall include but shall not be limited to – 
 
(a) the level of the noise or excessive vibrations;  
 
(b) the proximity of the noise or excessive vibrations to accommodation or residential 
facilities;  
 
(c) the time of the day or night the noise or excessive vibrations occur;  
 
(d) the time duration of the noise or excessive vibrations; or  
 
(e) the impact of the noise on persons living or working in di fferent places or 
premises who are affected by the noise or excessive vibrations.  
 
(5) The Authority shall process the application for a licence within two days from the date of 
receipt of the application, failure to which the applicant shall be free to pr oceed with the 
activity in respect of which the application is made.  
 
(6) The Executive Director, on receiving an application under subregulation (1), may issue 
the occupier or owner of the premises with a licence to emit noise in excess of the 
permissible  levels in the prescribed Form in Part II of Schedule 13 to these Regulations , on 
such terms and conditions as may be contained in the licence.  
 
(7) A licence shall contain requirements relating to the manner in which the works or 
activities are to be car ried out and may, in particular specify - 
 
(a) the plant or machinery to be used;  
 
(b) the hours during which the works or activities may be carried out;  26 
  
(c) the level of noise or vibration which may be emitted in excess of the 
permissible noise levels;  
 
(d) the proximi ty of the noise or excessive vibrations that might be emitted from 
the activities;  
 
(e) the works or activities and the method by which they are to be carried out; and 
 
(f) the steps proposed to be taken to minimize noise resulting from the works or 
activities.  
 
(8) In issuing a licence, the Executive Director sh all have regard to - 
 
(a) the need for ensuring that the best practicable means are employed to 
minimize noise;  
 
(b) the desirability, in the interest of a licensee, of other methods or plant or 
machinery which wo uld be substantially as effective in minimizing noise and 
which are more acceptable; and  
 
(c) the need to protect any person in the locality in which the premises in 
question are situated, from the effects of the noise.  
 
(9) The relevant lead agency  or local  council shall have the power to attach such other 
conditions under as they may deem necessary to a licence or permit issued under these 
Regulations.  
 
38. Duty to comply with licence  
(1) Where the works or activities to which the licence relates are carri ed out by a person other 
than the licensee, it is the duty of the licensee to take all steps to ensure that the licence, and 
any conditions specified in it are complied with by the person carrying out the works or 
activities.  
 
(2) A person who carries out  works or activities, or permits works or activities to be carried 
out without a licence, or contravenes any requirement or condition of a licence commits an 
offence  and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand currency points or 
impris onment not exceeding two years or both .  
 
 39. Revocation of licence  
The Executive Director may, at any time and after giving notice of seven days to the licensee, 
revoke a licence if he or she is satisfied that the conditions of the licence have not been  
complied with, or that the continued emission of noise in excess of the permissible noise 
levels is likely to be injurious to the residents in the area, or to the environment.  
 
40. Additional powers to the lead agencies.  
In order to further the purposes of these Regulations and to facilitate compliance and 
enforcement, the relevant lead agencies shall have power to attach such other conditions in 
relation to these Regulations as they may deem necessary to a licen ce or permit issued under 
these Regulations . 27 
  
41. Permits for fireworks, demolition, firing ranges and specific heavy duty industry.  
(1) A  person shall  not carry out activities relating to fireworks, demolitions, firing ranges or 
specific heavy  industry without a permit  issued by the Authority.  
 
(2) An application for a permit shall be made to the Authority in the F orm prescri bed by the 
Authority  and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.  
 
(3) The Authority m ay, on receiving an application , issue the applicant with a permit to carry 
out firewor ks, demolitions, firing ranges and specific  heavy industrial work, in the F orm 
prescribed  by the Authority , on such terms and conditions as may be contained in the permit.  
 
(4) A permit to carry out activities such as fireworks, demolitions, firing ranges and specific 
heavy industry shall be valid for a period not exceeding three months.  
 
(5) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Regulation commits an offence  and is 
liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand currency points or imp risonment 
not exceeding one year or both.  
 
PART VII- ENFORCEMENT.  
42. Monitoring  
(1) Noise monitoring shall be carried out  by the National Environment Management 
Authority or a person authorised by NEMA, a local authority, a lead agency or the police  for 
the purposes of establishing the existing ambient noise levels in the area of the proposed or 
existing facility, or for verifying operational phase noise levels.  
(2) Noise monitoring programs shall be designed and conducted by trained specialists.  
 
(3) Ty pical monitoring periods shall be sufficient for statistical analysis and may last hours 
with the use of noise monitors that shall be capable of logging data continuously over this 
time period, or hourly, or m ore frequently, as appropriate or  cover differ ing time periods 
within several days, including weekday and weekend workdays.  
 
(4) The type of acoustic indices re corded shall depend on the type of noise being monitored, 
as established by a noise expert and monitors shall be located approximately 1.5 m above the 
ground and no closer tha n 3 m to any reflecting surface  including  wall.  
 
(5) In general, the noise level limit shall be represented by the background or ambient noise 
levels that would be present in the absence of the facility or noise source un der investigation.  
 
43. Complaints   
(1) Any person may lodge a complaint with the Executive Director or a local council on the 
grounds that  he or she is aggrieved by noise being emitted or likely to be emitted  or where the  
noise is so loud, continuous , repeated , of such duration or pitch or occurring at such times as 
to give reasonable cause or annoyance to the person  in cont ravention of these Regulations.  
 
(2) The complaint shall  contain a written record  includ ing, where possible, dates and times 
during wh ich the perceived noise or nuisance occurred or a tape recording of the type of noise 
experienced and any other important evidence.  28 
 (2) Any person or group of persons is entitled to bring an action in a court of competent 
jurisdiction to stop, prevent or c ontrol the emission of noise from any source or place.  
 
(3) In lodging a complaint under subregulation (1) or an action under subregulation (2) , the 
complainant  shall show or prove personal loss, injury or discomfort caused by the emission 
of the alleged noise.  
 
(4) On receiving a complaint under subregulation (1), the Executive Director , a lead agency 
or local council shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that the noise is abated or controlled 
and that these Regulations are complied with.  
 
(5) The E xecutive Director or local council shall, where it considers necessary in ord er to 
prevent or limit noise, serve a notice on any person in charge of premises, processes or 
works, other than an activity which is licensed by the Authority.  
(6) The Executive Direc tor or local council may invite  both parties together and listens to 
both sides before making a decision on the complaint .  
(7) The Magistrate’s C ourt is the court of first instance for bringing an action for the control 
of noise under these Regulatio ns.  
(8) The Court may, order the person or body making, causing or responsible for the noise to 
take the measures necessary to reduce the noise to a specified level or to take specified 
measures for the prevention or limitation of the noise.  
(9) Where the  court finds in the complainants favour, it may order the person or body to limit 
the noise, reduce the level of noise or stop the noise completely.  
(10) Any o rders made by the court must be complied with.  
44. Improvement notice.  
(1) Where an Environment al Inspector has reasonable cause to believe that any person is 
emitting or is likely to emit noise or excessive vibration in any area in excess of the 
maximum permissible levels, or is causing or is likely to cause annoyance, the Environmental 
Inspector m ay, with the approval of the Executive Director , in consultation with the relevant 
lead agency, serve an improvemen t notice on that person in the F orm prescribed in  Schedule  
14 to these Regulations , directing all or any or all of the following - 
 
(a) the cessa tion of the noise or excessive vibration, or prevention or discontinuance of 
any annoyance, or prohibiting or restricting its occurrence or reoccurrence;  
 
(b) compliance with the permissible noise or excessive vibration levels;  
 
(c) the reduction of the level of n oise or excessive vibration emanating from the premises 
to a level specified in the notice;  
 
(d) requiring the carrying out of an environmental audit;  
 
(e) compelling a lead agency to take measures to prevent, discontinue or stop the 
emission of the noise or exces sive vibration;  
 29 
 (f) the prevention of any subsequent increase in the level of noise or excessive vibration 
emanating from the premises or area;  
 
(g) issue such directions intended to contribute to the reduction of emission of noise or 
excessive vibration from or within the vicinity of a specified area;  
 
(h) the execution of such works, and the taking of such steps, as may be specified in the 
notice; or  
 
(i) carrying out of any other order as may be issued.  
 
(2) Notwithstanding any provision of these Regulations, where it appears to the 
Environmental Inspector that the level of noise emanating from any premises or area is not 
acceptable or is causing a public nuisance, the inspector may issue an improvement notice, 
for the benefit of the public.  
 
(3) An improvement notice issued under subregulation (1) or subregulation (2) shall specify 
the period within which the requirements of the notice are to be complied with.  
 
(4) The improvement notice shall be served on the person responsible or alleged to cause or 
likely to cause the noise pollution or annoyance or, if that person cannot be found, or the 
noise or annoyance has not yet occurred, on the owner or occupier of the premises from 
which the noise is emitted or is likely to be emitted.  
 
(5) Any person who fails or refuses to not comply with the conditions in an improvement 
notice commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding one 
thousand currency points  or  imprisonment exceeding two years  or to both.  
 
(6) The failure to comply with the conditi ons in an improvement notice within the period 
specified in the notice is prima facie evidence of the commission of an offence.  
 
45. Closure n otice.  
Where there is continuous emission of noise or excessive vibration after the Environmental 
Inspector has i ssued an improvement notice, the Environmental Inspector may, with the 
approval of the Executive Director and in consultation with the relevant lead agency, order 
the closure of an establishment or undertaking emitting such noise or excessive vibration.  
 
46. Power to confiscate machinery  
(1) An Environmental Inspector, the Executive Director or a member of a local council may 
seize, impound or confiscate any property, tool, machinery or other instrument which is likely 
to, or has caused the emission of noi se, if, in his or her opinion the confiscation would cause 
tranquillity in the area.  
 
(2) The Executive Director, an Environmental Inspector or a member of a local council may 
remo ve from the source of the noise  or render inoperable by the removal of any part from, or 
lock or seal or close so as to make unusable, any instrument, appliance, vehicle, or machine 
that is producing or contributing to the noise.  
 
(3) The owner of anything seized, impounded or confiscated under this regulation is 
responsible for  the cost of confiscation.  30 
  
47. Restitution of property  
(1) Where any property, tool, machinery or other instrument has been seized or impounded or 
confiscated under regulation 46, the owner or occupier, or person using that property, tool, 
machinery or o ther instrument may, at any time, in writing, apply to the Executive Director, 
Environmental Inspector or local council which seized or impounded it for the property, tool, 
machinery or other instrument to be returned to him or her.  
 
(2) On receipt of an application under subsection (1), the Executive Director, Environmental 
Inspector or local council may return the property, tool, machinery or other instrument or part 
of it, upon being satisfied that its return is not likely to lead to the resumption of t he emission 
of noise, or on terms and conditions as may be directed by the Executive Director, 
Environmental Inspector or local council as the case may be.  
 
(3) Nothing in this regulation prevents the Executive Director, Environmental Inspector, or 
local council from returning the property, tool, machinery or other instrument to which this 
section applies without being requested to do so.  
 
48. Existing activities.  
Any person carrying out activities that emit noise or excessive vibration immediately before  
the coming into force of these Regulations shall, within six months  from the coming into 
force of these Regulations, take all necessary measures to ensure full com pliance with these 
Regulations.  
 
PART VIII - VIBRATION  
49.  Definition  
For purposes of this Part-  
 “Peak Particle Velocity (PPV) expressed in millimetres per second (mm/s) ” means  a 
vibration indicator used for the purposes of assessing potential annoyance t o humans or 
damage to buildings;  
 
“whole -body vibration”  means mechanical vibration which is transmitted into the body, 
when seated or standing, through the supporting surface, during a work activity or any 
extension of exposure at the workplace to whole -body vibration beyond normal working 
hours, including exposure in rest facilities supervise d by the employers;  
 
“working day”  means a daily working period, irrespective of the time of day when it 
begins or ends, and of whether it begins o r ends on the same calendar day;  
“hand -arm vibration”  means mechanical vibration which is transmitted into t he hands and 
arms during a work activity;  and  
When a worker operates hand -held equipment such as a chain saw or jackhammer, vi bration 
affects hands and arms.  
50. Excessive vibrations.  
(1) Subject to  these Regulations,  a person shall  not- 
 31 
 (a) make or cause to  be made excessive vibrations which annoy, disturb, injure or 
endanger the comfort, repose, health or safety of others and the environment; or  
 
(b) cause to be made excessive vibrations which exceed 0.5 centimetres per second 
beyond any source property boundar y or 30 metres  from any moving source.  
 
(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Regulation commits an offence  and is 
liable in conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand currency points or imprisonment not 
exceeding two years or both . 
PART IX- GENERAL PROVISIONS  
51. Noise and excessive vibrations mapping bodies.  
The following shall be the designated mapping bodies for the purpose of making and 
approving strategic noise or vibration maps - 
 
(a) the Physical Planning Authority;  
 
(b) local authoritie s; 
 
(c) for railways, the Uganda Railways Corporation;  
 
(d) for airports, Civil Aviation Authority;  
 
(e) for mines and quarries, the Mines and Geology Department;  
 
(f) for petroleum activities, the Petroleum Exploration and Production Department;  
 
(g) for weather and instrume ntation, the Meteorological Department;  
 
(h) the Uganda National  Bureau of Standards; and,  
 
(i) for roads, the Ministry of Works and Transport/Uganda National Roads Authority, 
local councils, urban councils and the Kampala City Council Authority.   
 
52. Strategic noise and excessive vibrations maps.  
(1) Each mapping body shall make a strategic noise or vibration map for its area.  
 
(2) Each mapping body shall review its strategic noise or vibration map every five years from 
the date on which the strategic noise or v ibration map was made, or earlier where there is 
significant change in land use, noise or vibration level.  
 
(3) A strategic noise or excessive vibration map shall satisfy the minimum requirements set 
out in Schedule  15 to  these Regulations.  
 
(4) Every mapp ing body shall take immediate action to mitigate any significant noise or 
excessive vibration that may cause damage to the environment or human beings.  
 
53. Action plans  for control of noise and vibration . 
(1) Each mapping body shall prepare an action plan  relevant to its area.  32 
  
(2) An action plan shall - 
 
(a) satisfy the minimum requirements set out in  Schedule 15 to these R egulations; and  
 
(b) aim to protect silent zones.  
 
(3) A mapping body shall ensure that - 
 
(a) the public is consulted on proposals for each action plan;  
 
(b) the public is given early and effective opportunities to participate and review 
action plans;  
 
(c) a time limit not exceeding sixty days is given for the submission of written 
comments by the public;  
 
(d) the results of public participation are taken into a ccount in finalizing action plans 
or review of action plans;  
 
(e) the public is informed of the decision taken in relation to action plans; and  
 
(f) reasonable time frames are adopted to allow sufficient time for each stage of 
public participation.  
 
(4) An action  plan shall be reviewed every five years after the date on which it was made or 
last reviewed, provided that an action plan may be reviewed earlier in the event of a material 
change in land use or noise or vibrati on level in the area concerned.  
 
54. Health  surveillance  
(1) The employer shall provide health surveillance at his or her cost at the work place to 
protect workers from noise and excessive vibrations.  
 
(2) Where - 
(a) the risk assessment  carried out by the employer indicates that there is a risk to the  
health of the employees who are or that employee may be exposed to noise and 
vibration; or  
 
(b) employees are likely to be exposed to noise and  vibration at or above an exposure 
action value,  
 
 the employer shall ensure that such employees are placed under s uitable and appropriate 
health surveillance.  
 
(3) Health surveillance, which shall be intended to prevent or diagnose any health effect 
linked with exposure to  noise and vibration, shall be appropriate where the exposure of the 
employee to noise and vibra tion is such that - 
 33 
 (a) a link can be established between that exposure and an identifiable disease or 
adverse health effect;  
 
(b) it is probable that the disease or effect may occur under the particular conditions 
of his work; and  
 
(c) there are valid techniques for  detecting the disease or effect.  
 
(4) The employer shall ensure that a health record in respect of each of his employees who 
undergoes health surveillance in accordance with subregulation (1) is made and maintained 
and that the record or a copy health sur veillance is kept available in a suitable form.  
 
(5) The employer shall – 
 
(a) on reasonable notice being given, allow an employee to access to his personal 
health record; and  
 
(b) provide the enforcing authority with copies of the health records when required to 
do so.  
 
(6) Where, as a result of health surveillance, an employee is found to have an identifiable 
disease or adverse health effect which is considered by a doctor or other occupational health 
professional to be the result of exposure to noise or vibration  the employer of that employee 
shall – 
 
(a) ensure that a suitably qualified person informs the employee accordingly and 
provides the employee with information and advice regarding further health 
surveillance, including any health surveillance which he shall un dergo following 
the end of the exposure;  
 
(b) ensure that the employer and employer are  informed of any significant findings 
from the health surveillance of the employee, taking into account any medical 
confidentiality;  
 
(c) review the risk assessment;  
 
(d) review a ny measure taken to comply with  these Regulations , taking into account 
any advice given by a doctor or occupational health professional or by the 
enforcing authority;  
 
(e) consider assigning the employee to alternative work where there is no risk from 
further exposure to vibration, taking into account any advice given by a doctor or 
occupational health professional; and  
 
(f) provide for a review of the health of any other employee who has been similarly 
exposed, including a medical examination where such an examina tion is 
recommended by a doctor or occupational health professional or by the enforcing 
authority.  
 34 
 (7) An employee to whom this regulation applies shall, when required by his  or her employer 
and at the cost of his employer, present himself  or herself  during his or her working hours for 
health surveillance procedures as may be required for the purposes of subregulation (1).  
 
55. Duty to carry out Risk Assessment  
The responsible person or employer shall   for purposes of these Regulations carry out 
assessmen t of the risk contained in his or her equipment in the workplace.  
56. Assessment of the risk to health created by vibration at the workplace  
(1) An employer who carries out work which is liable to expose any of his or employees to 
risk from vibration, shal l make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk created by that 
work to the health and safety of the employees and the risk assessment shall identify the 
measures that need to be taken to meet the requirements of these Regulations.  
(2) In conducti ng the risk assessment, the employer shall assess daily exposure to noise and 
vibration by means of - 
(a) observation of specific working practices;  
(b) reference to relevant information on the probable magnitude of the vibration 
corresponding to the equipment use d in the particular working conditions; and  
 
(c) if necessary, measurement of the magnitude of vibration to which his employees are 
liable to be exposed,  
and the employer shall assess whether any employees are likely to be exposed to vibration at 
or above an  exposure action value or above an exposure limit value.  
(3) The risk assessment shall include consideration of –  
(a) the magnitude, type and duration of exposure, including any exposure to noise , 
intermittent vibration or repeated shocks;  
(b) the effects of ex posure to vibration on employees whose health is at particular risk 
from such exposure;  
(c) any effects of vibration on the workplace and work equipment, including the proper 
handling of controls, the reading of indicators, the stability of structures and the  
security of joints;  
(d) any information provided by the manufacturers of work equipment;  
(e) the availability of replacement equipment designed to reduce exposure to vibration;  
(f) any extension of exposure at the workplace to whole -body vibration beyond normal 
working hours, including exposure in rest facilities supervised by the employer;  
(g) specific working conditions such as low temperatures; and  35 
 (h) appropriate information obtained from health surveillance including, where possible, 
published information.  
(4) The risk assessment shall be reviewed regularly and immediately where - 
(a) there is reason to suspect that the risk assessment is no longer valid;  
(b) there has been a significant change in the work to which the assessment relates, and  
(c) where, as a result of the revie w, changes to the risk assessment is  required, those 
changes shall be made.  
(5) The employer shall record –  
(a) the significant findings of the risk assessment as soon as is practicable after the risk 
assessment is made or changed; and  
(b) the measures which he has taken and which he intends to take to meet the 
requirements of regulations 54 and  55.  
57. General  Control of noise and vibration  
(1) The employer shall put into place appropriate technical action to keep noise and vibration 
in the working environment below the maximum permissible limits.  
(2) Where it is impossible to keep below those limits, the following action shall be taken by 
the employer - 
 
(a) a reduction in exposure time;  
 
(b) the use of personal protective equipment; or  
 
(c) a combination of time reduction and personal protective equipment.  
 
 58. Protective equipment and reduction of exposure time  
(1) When noise and vibration levels cannot be brought below the danger limit either by 
suitable design of equipment or by suitable installation - 
(a) the works shall be provided with anti -vibration working platforms or stands;  
 
(b) the workers shall be provided with adequate hearing protection and anti -vibration 
devices; and  
 
(c) the leng th of exposure shall be limited.  
 36 
 (2) The personal protective equipment and limitation of  exposure time shall bring workers 
exposure within permissible limits.  
 
(3) Personal protective equipment shall afford effective and reliable protection against the 
risk of exposure to vibration.  
 
(4) The following hearing personal protective equipment sha ll be provided by the employer - 
 
(a) earplugs that can be used more than once;  
 
(b) disposable earplugs;  
 
(c) ear muffs; and  
 
(d) helmets and other specialised ear protection.  
 
(5) Personal protective equipment shall not be uncomfortable or be a source of accidents to 
employees.  
 
(6) When individual protective devices are distributed, the need for them, their use and 
maintenance shall be explained to employees.  
 
(7) The requisite instructions on the use and handling of the protective devices shall continue 
to be given to  employees from time to time.  
 
(8) Personal and other protective equipment against noise and vibration shall be inspected 
periodically by the employer to ensure that it has suffered no damage and is in good condition  
 
(9) The employer shall make every eff ort to ensure that workers actually use the personal 
protective equipment that is provided.  
 
(10) All workers continuously or occasionally working in  areas or in workplaces where noise 
or vibration exceeds the maximum permissible limits, especially worker s whose protection is 
ensured by the use of personal protective equipment or by reduction of exposure time, or 
both, shall so far as possible be subject to and health supervision.  
 
(11)  The supervision of the health of workers shall include - 
 
(a) a pre -employ ment medical examination;  
 
(b) periodical medical examination; and  
 
(c) medical examination after sickness or on specific occasions.  
 
(12) Pre -employment medical examination for noise and vibration shall comprise - 
 
(a) a case history of the employee;  
 
(b) a general clinic al examination of the employee;  
 37 
 (c) a clinical examination of the ears of the employee; and  
 
(d) a screening or simplified audiometer pure tone screening audiometric  test. 
 
(13) For exposure to local  vibration transmission to fingers or hands or to hands and arms , the 
medical examination shall comprise - 
 
(a) a case history, with special reference to specific occupational risk;  
 
(b) a  clinical examination of the employee; and  
 
(c) special tests which according to the kind of exposure involved, shall explore in 
particular the vascular system, the skin sensitivity of the hands, and the state 
of the bone s, the joints and the ligaments.  
 
(14) For exposure to whole body vibration, the medical examination shall comprise - 
 
(a) a case history of the employee; and  
 
(b) a general clini cal exami nation of the employee.  
 
59. Elimination or control of exposure to vibration at the workplace - 
 (1) The employer shall ensure that risk from the exposure of his or her employees to noise 
or vibration is either eliminated at source or, where this is not rea sonably practicable, 
reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.  
 
(2) Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risk at source under subregulation (1) 
and an exposure action value is likely to be reached or exceeded, the employer shal l reduce 
exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable by establishing and implementing a 
programme of organisational and technical measures which is appropriate to the activity 
being undertaken.  
 
(3) The measures taken by the employer in complia nce with subregulations  (1) and (2) 
shall be based on the general principles of prevention set out in the Occupational Safety and 
Health Act , 2006, and shall include consideration of – 
 
(a) other working methods which eliminate or reduce exposure to  noise or  vibration;  
 
(b) choice of work equipment of appropriate ergonomic design which, taking account of 
the work to be done, produces the least possible  noise or vibration;  
 
(c) the provision of auxiliary equipment which reduces the risk of injuries caused by 
noise or  vibration;  
 
(d) appropriate maintenance programmes for work equipment, the workplace and 
workplace systems;  
 
(e) the design and layout of workplaces, work stations and rest facilities;  38 
 (f) suitable and sufficient information and training for employees, such that work  
equipment may be used correctly and safely, in order to minimise their exposure to 
noise or vibration;  
 
(g) the limitation of the duration and magnitude of exposure to noise or vibration;  
 
(h) appropriate work schedules with adequate rest periods; and  
 
(i) the provis ion of clothing to protect employees from cold and damp.  
 
(4) The employer shall – 
 
(a) ensure that h is employees are not exposed to vibration above an exposure limit 
value; or  
 
(b) if an exposure limit value is exceeded, the employer shall immediately - 
 
(i) reduce exp osure to vibration to below the limit value;  
 
(ii) identify the reason for that limit being exceeded; and  
 
(iii) modify the measures taken in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2) to 
prevent it being exceeded again.  
 
(5) Subregulation (4) shall not apply where the e xposure of an employee to vibration is 
usually below the exposure action value but varies markedly from time to time and may 
occasionally exceed the exposure limit value, provided that – 
 
(a) any exposure to vibration averaged over one week is less than the exp osure limit 
value;  
 
(b) there is evidence to show that the risk from the actual pattern of exposure is less 
than the corresponding risk from constant exposure at the exposure limit value;  
 
(c) risk is reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable, taking into account the 
special circumstances; and  
 
(d) the employees concerned are subject to increased appropriate  health surveillance.  
 
(6) The employer shall adapt any measure taken in compliance with the requirements of 
this regulation to take account of any emp loyee or group of employees whose health is 
likely to be particularly at risk from vibration.  
 
60. Responsibility of the employer  
(1) Where a duty is placed by these Regulations on an employer in respect of his or her 
employees, the employer shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be under a like duty in 39 
 respect of any other person, whether at work or not, who may be affected by the work carried 
out by the employer except that the duties of the employer - 
(a) under regulation 54  shall not extend to persons w ho are not his  or her employees; 
and 
 
(b) inform ation, instruction and training  shall not extend to persons who are not his 
employees, unless those persons are on the premises where the work is being 
carried out.  
 
 
 
61. Protecting workers  
(1) The employer sha ll put in place a hearing conservation programme to protect workers 
from the effects of hazardous noise and vibration exposure in the workplace.  
 
(2) The programme referred to under subregulation (1) shall be integrated into the overall 
hazard prevention and control programme of the workplace.  
 
(3) Hazard prevention and control programmes shall be designed to meet the specific needs 
of each situation, in view of the existing hazards and of the many other factors that 
characterize a workplace and the progra mmes shall be adaptable to new scientific and 
technological developments, as well as to eventual changes in the socio -economic context.  
 
(4) The employer shall implement noise and vibration control measures in order to achieve 
the lowest reasonable levels of noise emission  and exposure at the work place , taking into 
account - 
 
(a) known or available measures;  
 
(b) the state of the art regarding technical progress;  
 
(c) possibilities for noise reduction at the source; and  
  
(d)  appropriate planning, procurement and installa tion of machines and equipment.  
 
(5) The Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006 and Regulations  made under the Act shall  
apply in relation to the protection of workers from  noise and excessive vibrations with 
necessary modifications . 
62. Persons to be in formed  
All employees and persons who may be affected by noise and vibration at the workplace shall 
be adequately and suitably - 
(a)  informed of potential occupational hazards in the working environment due to 
noise and vibration; and  
(b)  instructed in the  measures available for the prevention and control of, and 
protection against occupational hazards  due to noise and vibrations.  40 
 63. Workers to comply  
Employees shall comply with safety procedures relating to the prevention and control of, and 
protection ag ainst, occupational hazards related to noise and vibration in the working 
environment.  
64. Offences  
(1) A person who - 
(a) emits noise  or in excess of the permissible noise levels prescribed by 
regulation 10;  
 
(b) fails, neglects or refuses to control noise  or vi brations  in accordance with 
these Regulations;  
 
(c) fails to immediately reduce noise  or vibrations  to a permissible noise level 
when required to do so;  
 
(d) causes or contributes to the emission of noise  or vibrations  in excess of the 
permissible noise  or vibration levels from or within the vicinity of the 
premises during a prohibited period;  
 
(e) fails, without lawful justification, to comply with any term or condition of a 
licence or order issued under these Regulations;  
 
(f)  makes a statement, or produces a d ocument, that is false or misleading in a 
material particular; or  
 
(g) obstructs the Executive Director, an Environmental Inspector or member of a 
local council in the execution of his or her duties,  
 
commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fin e not exceeding ten thousand 
currency points or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both and for a continuing 
offence, a fine not exceeding one thousand currency points for each day or part of a day for 
which the offence continues.  
 
65. General penalt y. 
Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of these Regulations, for which no penalty 
is stipulated, commits an offence and is liable  on conviction to a fine not exceeding one 
thousand currency points or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both . 
 
66 Revocation of S.I No. 30 of 2003  
The National Environment (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations, 2003 are revoked.41 
   
SCHEDULE 1  
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LEVELS FOR GENERAL ENVIRONMENT  
Regulation 10(1)  
Facility  Noise limit dB(A) 
(Leq)  
Day Noise limit d B(A) 
(Leq)  
Night   
1. Any building used 
as a hospital, 
convalescence home, 
home for the elderly, 
sanatorium and 
institute of higher 
learning, conference 
rooms, public library, 
environmental or 
recreational sites.  45 35 
2. Residential 
buildings  50 35 
3. M ixed residential 
(with some 
commercial and 
entertainment)  55 45 
4. Residential plus 
industry or small -
scale production and 
commerce  60 50 
5. Industrial  70 60 
Time Frame: Use duration  
Day- 6.00 a.m . -10.00 p.m  
Night - 10.00p.m - 6.00 a.m. 
The Time frame ta kes into consideration human activity42 
 SCHEDULE 2  
MAXIMUM PERMISSABLE NOISE LEVEL (CONTINOUS OR INTE RMITTEN 
NOISE) FROM A FACTORY OR  WORKSHOP  
Regulation  10 (2)  
Leq dB (A)  Duration (Daily)  Duration (Weekly)  
85 8 hours  40 hours  
88 4 hours  20 hours  
91 2 hou rs 10 hours  
94 1 hour  5 hours  
97 30 minutes  2.5 hours  
100 15 minutes  1.25 hours  
103 7.5 minutes  37.5 minutes  
106 3.75 minutes  18.75 minutes  
109 1.875 minutes  9.375 minutes  
Noise levels shall not exceed a Leq of - 
(a) Factory/Workshops 85 dB (A)  
(b) Offices 5 0 dB (A)  
(c) Factory/Workshop Compound 75 dB (A)  43 
 SCHEDULE 3  
MAXIMUM PERMISSABLE NOISE LEVELS FOR IMPACT OR 
IMPULSIVE NOISE  
Regulation  10 (3)  
Sound Level dB (A) (Lmax)  Permitted number of impulses or 
Impacts per day  
140 100 
130 1,000  
120 10,000  
 44 
 SCHEDULE 4 
PART A - MAXIMUM PERMISSABLE NOISE LEVELS FOR 
CONSTRUCTION SITE  
Regulation 10  (4) 
Facility  Maximum noise level 
permitted (Leq) in dB 
(A) 
Day Maximum noise level 
permitted (Leq) in dB 
(A) 
Night  
1 Hospitals, schools, 
institutions of higher 
learning, homes for the 
disabled, etc.  50 60 
Buildings other than those 
prescribed in paragraph (1 )  75 65 
 
PART B - ADDITIONAL PERMISSIBLE LIMITS FOR CONSTRUCTION  
Activity  Maximum noise level permitted (Leq) 
in dB (A)  
1. Work requiring  a large amount of 
mental concen tration   55 
2. Work requiring verbal communication 
or great accuracy and attention   85 
3. Any noisy work setting  85 
***  No matter how short a time, a worker exposed to noise levels greater than 85 dBA  
should wear  hearing protectors with an attenuatio n of at least 6 dB A and no worker should 
enter an area where noise levels exceeds 140 dBA .45 
 SCHEDULE 5  
MAXIMUM PERMISSABLE LEVELS FOR PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT 
SYSTEM OR DEVICE  
Regulation  10 (5)   
Noise Control Sound Level 
dB (A) (Leq)  
 Sound Level dB (A) 
(Leq)  
Day Sound Level dB (A) 
(Leq)  
Night  
Residential  60 40 
Commercial  75 50 
Industrial  85 65 
Note: Time Frame:  
Day  -6.00 a.m. -10.00 p.m.  
Night   -10.00 p.m.  -6.00 a.m. 
The time frame takes into consideration human activity  46 
 SCHEDULE 6  
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LE VELS FOR PLACES OR ESTABLISHMENTS OF 
ENTERTAINMENT  
Regulation  10 (6)   
Noise Control Zones  Sound Level dB (A ) (Leq)  Sound Level dB (A) (Leq)  
Residential  60 40 
Commercial  75 50 
Industrial  85 65 
Note: Time Frame:  
Day  -6.00 a.m. -10.00 p.m.  
Night   -10.00  p.m.  -6.00 a.m. 
The time frame takes into consideration human activity  47 
 SCHEDULE 7  
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LEVEL FOR PLAC ES OR AREAS OF WORSHIP  
Regulation  10 (7)  
Noise Control Zones   Sound Level dB (A) (Leq)  
Day Sound Level dB (A) (Leq)  
Night  
Residential  60 40 
Commercial  75 50 
Industrial  85 65 
Note: Time Frame:  
Day  -6.00 a.m. -10.00 p.m.  
Night   -10.00 p.m.  -6.00 a.m. 
The time frame takes into consideration human activity  48 
 SCHEDULE  8 
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LEVEL FOR ROADS AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION  
Regulation  10 (8)   
Days & Times  Leq  dBA Leq Max slow dB A 
Monday to Friday  
07:00 to 19:00hrs  70 80 
Monday to Friday  
19:00 to 22:00hrs  60 65 
Saturday  
08:00 to 16:30hrs  65 75 
Sundays and Public 
Holidays  
08:00 to 16:30hrs  60 52 
 
PART B - Design criteria for new roads of  category 1 (UNRA)  
Noise Abatement Criteria  
Sensitive Activity Category Description  Hourly A -Weighted 
Sound Level Leq (dB A) 
Lands on which serenity and quiet are of extraordinary 
significance and serve an important public need and where 
the preservation  of those qualities is essential if the area is 
to continue to serve its intended purpose.  57 external  
Picnic areas, recreation areas, playgrounds, active sports 
areas, parks, residences, motels, hotels, schools, churches, 
libraries, and hospitals.  67 ext ernal  
Developed lands, properties, or activities not included in 
above  72 external  
Residences, motels, hotels, public meeting rooms, schools, 
churches, libraries, hospitals, and auditoriums.  52 internal  
Undeveloped lands.  No values  49 
 SCHEDULE 9 
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LEVEL FOR ACCELERATING VEHICLES  
Regulation  10 (9)  
Vehicle Category  Maximum Sound Level in dB (A)  
1. Vehicles intended for carriage of 
passengers and equipped with not more than 
nine seats, including the driver’s seat  78 
2.  Vehicles intended  for carriage of 
passengers and equipped with not more than 
nine seats, including the driver’s seat and 
having  maximum permissible  mass of more 
than 3.5 tones - 
(a) with engine power of more than 150 KW  
(b) with an engine power of less than 150 
KW  
 
 
80 
83 
3. Vehicles intended for carriage of 
passengers and equipped with not more than 
nine seats, including the driver’s seat : 
vehicles intended for carriage of goods - 
(a) with maximum permissible mass not 
exceeding  2 tonnes;  
(b) with a maximum permissible m ass 
exceeding 2 tonnes but not exceeding 3.5 
tonnes   
 
 
79 
 
80 
4.  Vehicles intended for the carriage of 
goods and having a maximum permissible 
mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes - 
(a) with an engine power of less than 75 KW  
(b) with an engine power of not less than  75 
KW but less than 150 KW  
(c) with an engine power of not less than 150 
KW  
 
80 
83 
 
84 
 50 
 SCHEDULE 10 
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LEVELS FOR MINES AND QUARRIES  
Regulation  10 (10)  
Facility  Limit Value in dB (C)  
For any building used as a hospital, school, 
conva lescent home, old age homes or 
residential building   
109 dB (C)  
For any building in an area used for 
residential and one or more of the following  
Commerce,  production, entertainment or any 
residential apartment in an area that is used 
for purposes of i ndustry, commerce or small 
scale production, or any building used for the 
purpose of industry, commerce or small scale 
production   
14 dB (C)  
 
 51 
 SCHEDULE  11 
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS IN THE WORKPLACE 
IN THE VICINITY OF ULTRASOUND.  
Regulation  10 (11)  
 
Generic frequency means by third octave bands 
(Hz)  12,500  16,000  20,000+  
Sound pressure level (in dB)  75 85 110 
 
 52 
 SCHEDULE  12 
 
PERMISSIBLE LIMITS FOR VIBRATION  
Regulation 10(12)  
 
PART A - THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES (TLVS) FOR EXPOSURE OF THE HAND 
TO VIBRATION IN X, Y, OR Z DIRECTION*  
 
Total Daily Exposure  
Duration (hours)  Maximum value of frequency weighted  
acceleration (m/s2) in any direction*  
4 to less than 8 hours  4 
2 to less than 4 hours  6 
1 to less than 2 hours  8 
less than 1hour  12 
* Dir ections of axes in the three -dimensional system.  
PART B - PERMISSIBLE VIBRATION LIMITS FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION  IN 
ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF BUILDING DAMAGE  
 
Permissible vibration velocity (Peak Particle Velocity) at the closest part of any 
property to the  source of vibration at a frequency of  
Less than 10 Hz  10 – 50 Hz  50 – 100 Hz  
8mm/s  12.5mm/s  20mm/s  53 
 SCHEDULE  13 
PART I  
 
APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE TO EMIT NOISE IN EXCESS OF PERMISSIBLE 
NOISE LEVELS  
Regulation  13 (1)  
FORM NEMA/NC……………  
 
Name and addre ss of applicant: 
……………………………………… …………………………………………  
 
Physical address of premises or facility where noise will be produced or generated: 
…………..……………………………………………… 
…………………………………………………………………………  
 
Plot no. Village, parish, sub -county, county district)  
 
Nature/S ource/Type of noise to be emitted and predicted levels above the standards (dBA) 
and time of emission 
…………………………………. ……………………………………………………  
 
Describe the neighbourhood  with a radius of 2 km (Describe whether industrial, residential, 
commercial and whether it  is near a school or  hospital or residential area) …………………  
………………………………………………………………………  
 
Provide the anticipated mitigation measures intended to be used in controlling the noi se (may 
attach separate sheet) ……………………………………………………………………………  
 
Duration of emissi on of the noise applied for: (indicate time of day and number of 
minutes/hours) …………………………………………… ……………………………………  
 
Date: ……………… Signature of Applicant ………………………  
  
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY  
Date received ………………… /20………  
Fee paid shs …………… (in words)…………………………… ……  
 
Comments of the lead agency …………………………………………  
…………………………………………………………………………  
 54 
 PART II  
 
LICENCE TO EMIT NOISE IN EXCESS OF PERMISSIBLE NOISE LEVELS  
 
Regulation  13 (6)  
 
Licence No NEMA/NC/ ……………………… ………of 
……………………………………… (Address) ………………… is licensed to ca use emission 
or emit noise in excess of the permissible noise le vels at 
…………………………………………………………  (location/district ) for the purposes 
of……………………………………………………..  
 
Type of noise licensed ………………………………………………… ……………………  
 
This licence is valid from ……………… 20 .....  to …………… 20 .....  
 
From the hours of ………………… to ………………… of each day.  
 
This licence is granted subje ct to the following 
conditions: …………………………………………  
 
Date:………………… Signature: …………………………  
 
Executive Director  
 
National Environment Management Authority  55 
  SCHEDULE  14 
 
IMPROVEMENT NOTICE  
Regulation 44 (1)   
 
(Issued under section 8 0 (1) (i) of the National Environment Act and regulation .. of the 
National Environment (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations, 20 13)  
 
Form NEMA/NC/....  
TO: ………………………………  
 
TAKE NOTICE that on the ……………… of ………………… 20…, an Environmental 
Inspector(s) from this Authority carried out an inspection of your establishment/facility 
located in ............................ Village, ..................................... Sub -county of 
.................................. District where it was found that you or your agents were generating or 
producing noise in excess of the permissible noise levels and/or in contravention of these 
Regulations.  
The Environmental Inspectors particularly found the  following —  
1. . ……………………………………………………………………  
2. ……………………………………………………………………  
3. ……………………………………………………………………  
(attach more paper if necessary)  
 
YOU ARE HEREBY ORDERED to stop/minimise/discontinue all activities that are causing 
or likely to generate the pro duction of noise and reduce the noise levels to the permissible 
noise levels in the above mentioned facility/ establishments within a period of 
………………. days from the date of this Notice. You are also required to restore the 
tranquillity of the surroundings .  
 
YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT in accordance with section 96 of the National Environment 
Act, failure to comply with this Notice shall result in criminal prosecution being instituted 
gainst you and/or your agent or both.  
……………………………………  
ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTOR   
Copy to:  56 
 SCHEDULE  15 
Regulations 52 (3) and 53 (2)  
PART - GUIDELINES  FOR NOISE  SOURCES  AND VIBRATION  
1. Introduction  
(1) The objective of these standards is to maintain low noise and vibration exposure so that 
human health, well -being and the environmen t are protected.  
(2) The specific objectives are to develop criteria for the maximum safe noise exposure levels 
and to promote competent noise assessment and control as part of the environment 
programmes.  
(3) The following principle s guide the noise  stand ards- 
(a) the precautionary principle:  In all cases, noise and vibration should be reduced to 
the lowest level achievable in the particular situation. Where there is a reasonable 
possibility that public health and the environment will be damaged, action should  be 
taken to protect human health and the environment without waiting for full scientific 
proof;  
 
(b) the polluter pays principle.  The full cost associated with noise and vibration 
pollution (including management, monitoring, lowering levels, and supervision) 
should be met by those responsible for the source of noise and vibration;  
 
(c) the prevention principle:  Action should be taken where possible to reduce noise and 
vibration at the source. Land use planning should be guided by an environmental 
health impact ass essment that considers noise and vibration as well as other 
pollutants.  
 
2. Standards  
2.1 Community noise  
(1) Community noise (also called environmental noise, residential noise, or domestic noise) is 
defined as noise emitted from all sources except noise  at the industrial workplace.  
(2) Main sources of community noise include road, railway and air traffic, industries, and 
public works, and the neighbourhood.  
(3) The main indoor sources include ventilation systems, office equipment, home appliances, 
and neighbours.  
(4) Typical neighbourhood noise comes from premises and installations related to catering 
trade, (restaurants, cafeteria, discotheques, etc.) from live or recorded music, sport events 
including motor sports, play grounds, car parks, and domest ic animals such as barking dogs.  
(5) Specific effects and concerns in community noise include - 
(a) noise induced hearing impairment;  
 
(b) interference with speech and communication;  57 
  
(c) sleep disturbance;  
(d) cardiovascular and physiological effects;  
 
(e) mental health effe cts; 
 
(f) effects of noise on performance;  
 
(g) effects of noise on residential behaviour and annoyance;  
 
(h) effects of combined noise sources; and  
 
(i) presence of vulnerable groups in communities.  
 
(6) The effects are more pronounced for night time than day time.  
(7) There is a need therefore to distinguish these periods with a view to isolate and protect 
vulnerable groups and hence the distinction in the Regulations.  
(8) The review of available evidence leads to the following conclusions - 
(a) sleep is a recovery process essential for humans to function properly. It is a biological 
necessity and disturbed sleep is associated with a number of adverse impacts on 
health;  
 
(b) there is sufficient evidence for biological effects of noise during sleep such as 
increase in heart rate,  arousals, sleep stage changes and awakening;  
 
(c) there is sufficient evidence that night noise exposure causes self -reported sleep 
disturbance, increase in medicine use, increase in body movements and 
(environmental) insomnia;  
 
(d) while noise -induced sleep dist urbance is viewed as a health problem in itself 
(environmental insomnia), it also leads to further consequences for health and 
wellbeing; and   
 
(e) children, the elderly, pregnant women, people under stress and shift workers are 
vulnerable to (noise) disturba nce of their sleep.  
 
The night time  
(1) Time use studies (Centre for Time Use Research, 2006) show that the average time adult 
people are in bed is around 7.5 hours, so the real average sleeping time is somewhat shorter.  
(2) Due to personal factors such a s age and genetic factors there is considerable variation in 
sleeping time and in beginning and end times.  
(3) For these reasons, a fixed interval of 8 hours is a minimal choice for night -time 
protection.   
2.2 Schools  58 
 (1) The critical effects of noise ar e speech interference, disturbance of information extraction 
(e.g. comprehension and reading acquisition), message communication and annoyance.  
 
(2) To be able to hear and understand spoken messages in classrooms, the background sound 
should not exceed 35  dBA (Leq);  
 
2.3 Dwellings  
(1) The effects of noise are primarily sleep disturbance, annoyance and interference with 
speech recognition.  
 
(2) Sleep disturbance is a major concern of traffic noise and uninterrupted sleep is a 
prerequisite for good mental f unctioning and health.  
 
(3) The noise levels should not exceed 40 dB A (Leq).  
 
2.3 Hospitals and health care facilities  
(1) The effects of noise are sleep disturbance, annoyance and communication interference 
including warning signals from patients.  
 
(2) Since patients have less ability to deal with stress, the noise levels should not exceed 35 
dBA (Leq).  
 
(3) For ward rooms it should not exceed 30 dB A. 
 
2.4 Ceremonies , festivals  and entertainment events.  
(1) Ceremonies, festivals and entertainment event s typically produce loud sounds including 
music and impulsive sounds.  
 
(2) There is concern about the effects of loud noise for especially young people who 
frequently attend concerts, disctheques, video arcades, cinemas, amusement parks, and 
spectator eve nts. The sound levels are typically Leq 100 dB A.  
 
(3) The main concern here is that such levels can lead to significant hearing impairment.  
 
(4) To avoid hearing impairment, the noise levels in such areas should not exceed LA ( Max) 
110 dB.  
 
2.5 Toys, fir e-works and firearms  
(1) These equipment produce noise typically above Leq 100 dB A. High levels of noise 
become difficult to bear and subsequently intolerable.   
 
(2) At higher levels than 120 dB A the auditory sensation is replaced by pain.  
 
(3) The bones  in the ear, maleus, incus and stapes, can be knocked out of position leading to 
permanent hearing loss.  
 
(4) To avoid acute mechanical damage to the inner ear from impulsive noise from toys, fire -
works and firearms, adults should never be exposed to more  than Linear 140 dBA peak and 
sound pressure levels.  
 59 
 (5) To account for the vulnerability in children when playing, the peak sound pressure 
produced by toys should not exceed 120dB (Lin) peak sound pressure level measured close to 
the ear (100 mm).  
 
(6) To avoid acute hearing impairment, LA (Max) should always be below 110 dB A. 
 
2.6 Park lands and conservation areas  
(1) These areas enjoy quiet and sound pressure levels are of the order 20 - 35 dB A.  
 
(2) These areas should be preserved as such to protect the tranquillity that they provide to 
their guests.  
 
2.7 Headphones  
(1) The use of these gadgets these days is widespread and should be brought under control.  
 
(2) To avoid hearing impairment from music played back from these gadgets, in both adults 
and c hildren, the equivalent sound level over 24 hours should not exceed 70 dB A.  
 
(3) This implies that for a daily one hour exposure, the Noise level, Leq should not exceed 85 
dBA. To avoid acute hearing impairment, LA (Max) should not exceed 110 dB A. 
 
2.8 Co mmunity noise permissible limits  
(1) Table 2 gives a summary of proposed standards to ensure a tranquil environment.  
(2) The values are arranged according to specific environments and critical health effects that 
we wish to avoid.  
(3) The values consider  the above identified adverse effects for the specific environment.  
(4) An adverse effect of noise refers to any temporary or long term impairment of physical, 
psychological or social functioning that is associated with noise exposure.  
(5) Specific noise limits have been set for each specific health effect using the lowest noise 
level that produces an adverse effect.  
Table 2: Permissible Limits for community environment  
Specific 
environment  Critical health effect  Leq dB A Time base  
Hours  LA (Max)  
dB 
 Serio us day time and evening  
 
Moderate annoyance, day time 
and evening  55 
 
50 16 
 
16 Not 
applicable  
 
Not 
applicable  
Dwelling 
indoors  Speech intelligibility and 
moderate annoyance, day time 
and evening.  
 
Sleep disturbance, night time  
 35 
 
 
30 16 
 
 
8 Not 
applica ble 
 
 
45 
Outside bed Sleep disturbance, window open  45 8 60 60 
 rooms  (Outdoor values).  
School 
classrooms and 
pre-school 
indoors  Speech intelligibility, disturbance 
of information extraction, 
message communication.  35 During 
class  Not 
applicable  
Pre-school 
bedrooms, 
indoors  Sleep disturbance  30 Sleeping 
time 45 
School  play 
time, outdoors  Annoyance (external source)  55 During 
play Not 
applicable  
Hospital ward 
rooms, indoors  Sleep disturbance night time  
 
Sleep disturbance, day time and 
evenings  30 
 
30 8 
 
16 40 
 
Not 
applicable  
Hospital 
treatment 
rooms, indoors  Interference with rest and 
recovery  Less 
than 30 
(as low 
as 
possible    
Industrial, 
commercial,  
shopping and 
traffic areas, 
indoors and 
outdoors.  Hearing impairment  70 24 110 
Ceremonies, 
Festivals and  
entertainment 
events.  Hearing impairment  (patrons)  100 4 110 
Public address 
outside and 
indoors  Hearing impairment  85 1 110 
Music and 
other sounds 
through 
earphones and 
headphones  Hearing impairment (free field)  85 1 110 
Impulse sounds 
from toys, 
fireworks and 
firearms  Hearing impairment (adults)  
 
Hearing impairment (children)    140 
 
120 
Outdoors in 
parklands and 
conservation 
areas  Disruption of serenity and 
tranquillity  Preserve 
as they 
are. 
(<30)    
 
2.12. Maximum permissible levels for road traffi c 
The worst -hour traffic noise level of 65 dB A- Leq should not be exceeded.  61 
  
Table 3: Permissible limits for roads and road construction  
Days & Times  Leq  dBA Leq Max slow dB A 
Monday to Friday  
07:00 to 19:00hrs  70 80 
Monday to Friday  
19:00 to 22:00hrs  60 65 
Saturday  
08:00 to 16:30hrs  65 75 
Sundays and Public 
Holidays  
08:00 to 16:30hrs  60 52 
 
Design criteria for new roads of category 1 (UNRA)  
Noise Abatement Criteria  
Sensitive Activity Category Description  Hourly A -Weighted 
Sound Level Leq (dB A) 
Lands  on which serenity and quiet are of extraordinary 
significance and serve an important public need and where 
the preservation of those qualities is essential if the area is 
to continue to serve its intended purpose.  57 external  
Picnic areas, recreation are as, playgrounds, active sports 
areas, parks, residences, motels, hotels, schools, churches, 
libraries, and hospitals.  67 external  
Developed lands, properties, or activities not included in 
above  72 external  
Residences, motels, hotels, public meeting room s, schools, 
churches, libraries, hospitals, and auditoriums.  52 internal  
Undeveloped lands.  No values  
 
5.15 Record -keeping and Reports  
(1) The employer shall keep  good records and clear reports on measurements and tests, 
measuring instruments and control  systems, as well as on the programme itself.  
 
(2) As to noise measurements and audiometric tests , the results shall be well organized, 
identifiable and easily retrievable.  
 
(3) Data shall serve as indicators  and shall  be consistently gathered and analyze d.  
 
(5)  All details concerning purchase of measuring instruments and hearing protection  
(including contact person at the manufacturer’s), as well as adequate logs on maintenance 
shall be carefully kept.  62 
  
(6) Measuring instruments also require records on  routine calibration and hearing protection, 
on replacement deadlines.  
 
(7) The employer shall maintain complete and accurate records of working conditions, 
materials used, and performance of control measures, shall also be kept.  
 
(8) Objective and clear r eports on the programme shall be periodically prepared and critically 
analyzed by the team.  
 
5.16 Continuous  Improvement  
 In order to achieve continuous improvement, it is necessary to perform routine evaluations of 
how the programme is proceeding, includi ng analysis of the selected indicators and to 
establish an adequate system for the recognition and due appreciation of both failures and 
successes.  
 
5.17 Human Resources  
 (1) The required scientific, technical and managerial competence shall be available among 
the members of the responsible team. For very specific technical issues, external 
professionals (for example acoustic engineers) may be engaged; however, their work shall 
follow the specified control strategy and shall be integrated into the comprehe nsive approach 
designed by the team.  
 
(2) In order to ensure that a programme is efficiently run, programme managers shall have, in 
addition to knowledge and experience, also managerial competence.  
 
5.18 Allocation of Financial Resources  
(1) The financial resources required for a noise prevention and control programme shall be 
identified and secured before starting its implementation.  
 
(2) Financial resources must be optimized and carefully allocated within a framework of 
priorities, always keeping an appro priate balance among the different components, namely 
human resources and information, instrumentation and control systems.  
 
(3) In certain situations, appreciable funds may be necessary for initial staff development.  
 
(4) In order to ensure sustainabilit y of a programme, operational costs must be appropriately 
foreseen including for example, expenses for maintenance, repairs and purchase of spare 
parts for measuring instruments; maintenance, repairs and eventual replacement of personal 
protective equipmen t (e.g., hearing protectors); maintenance of staff competence, including 
continuing education and participation in scientific meetings; eventual hiring of external 
consultants, and, update of information systems (e.g., books, journals, CD -ROMs, access to 
data bases and the Internet - depending on the size and scope of the programme).  
 
(5) Some degree of financial flexibility shall be allowed, in order to respond to new needs 
which may ari se from periodic reassessments.  
 
6.0 Noise/Oil and gas activities  63 
 (1) Oil and gas development activities can generate noise during all phases of development 
including during seismic surveys, construction activities, drilling and production, aerial 
surveys and air or road transportation.  
 
(2) During operations, the main sour ces of noise and vibration pollution are likely to emanate 
from flaring and rotating equipment including flares and vents, pumps, compressors, 
generators, and heaters.  
 
(3) Noise impacts in oil and gas activities shall be estimated by the use of baseline noise 
assessments for developments close to local human populations.  
 
(4) For significant noise sources, such as flare stacks at permanent processing facilities, noise 
dispersion models shall be conducted to establish the noise level guidelines can be met  and to 
assist in the design of facility siting, stack heights, engineered sound barriers, and sound 
insulation on buildings.  
 
(5) Field related vehicle traffic shall be reduced as far as possible and access through local 
communities shall be avoided when not necessary.  
 
(6) Flight access routes and low flight altitudes shall be selected and scheduled to reduce 
noise impacts without compromising aircraft and security.  
 
(7) The sound and vibration propagation arising from seismic operations may result in 
impacts to human populations or to wildlife and in planning seismic surveys, the following 
shall be considered to minimize impacts - 
 
(a) minimize seismic activities in the vicinity of local populations wherever possible;  
 
(b) minimize simultaneous operations on clos ely spaced survey lines;  
 
(c) use the lowest practicable vibrator power levels;  
 
(d) reduce operation times, to the extent practical;  
 
(e) when shot -hole methods are employed, charge size and hole depth shall be 
appropriately selected to reduce noise levels. Proper ba ck-fill or plugging of holes 
will also help to reduce noise dispersion;  
 
(f) identify areas and time periods sensitive to wildlife such as feeding and breeding 
locations and seasons and avoid them when possible;  
 
(g) if sensitive wildlife species are located in th e area, monitor their presence before the 
onset of noise creating activities, and throughout the seismic program. In areas where 
significant impacts to sensitive species are anticipated, experienced wildlife observers 
shall be used. Slowly buildup activiti es in sensitive locations.  
 
(8) Terrestrial Impacts and Project Footprint Project footprints resulting from exploration and 
construction activities may include seismic tracks, well pads, temporary facilities, such as 
workforce base camps, material (pipe) storage yards, workshops, access roads, airstrips and 64 
 helipads, equipment staging areas, and construction material extraction sites (including 
borrow pits and quarries).  
 
(9) Operational footprints may include well pads, permanent processing treatment, 
transmission and storage facilities, pipeline right -of-way corridors, access roads, ancillary 
facilities, communication facilities (e.g. antennas), and power generation and transmission 
lines.  
 
(10) Impacts may include loss of, or damage to, terrestrial habi tat, creation of barriers to 
wildlife movement, soil erosion, and disturbance to water bodies including possible 
sedimentation, the establishment of non -native invasive plant species and visual disturbance.  
 
(11) The extent of the disturbance will depend on the activity along with the location and 
characteristics of the existing vegetation, topographic features and waterways.  
 
(12) The visual impact of permanent facilities shall be considered in design so that impacts 
on the existing landscape are minimize d.  
 
(13) The design shall take advantage of the existing topography and vegetation, and shall use 
low profile facilities and storage tanks if technically feasible and if the overall facility 
footprint is not significantly increased.  
 
(14) In addition, th e licensee or operator carrying  out petroleum activities or midstream 
operations shall consider suitable paint colour  for large structures that can blend with the 
background.  
 
(15) Additional prevention and control measure s to minimize the footprint of oil and gas 
developments may include the following - 
 
(a) siting  all facilities in locations that avoid critical terrestrial and aquatic habitat and 
plan construction activities to avoid sensitive times of the year;  
(b) minimize land requirements for aboveground per manent facilities;  
 
(c) minimizing areas to be cleared and using  hand cutting where possible;  
 
(d)  avoiding the use of heavy equipment such as bulldozers, especially on steep slopes, 
water and wetland crossings, and forested and ecologically sensitive areas;  
 
(e) using a central processing  or treatment facility for operations, when practical;  
 
(f) minimizing well pad size for drilling activities and satellite or cluster, directional, 
extended reach drilling techniques shall be considered, and their use maximized in 
sensitive locations;  
 
(g) avoiding construction of facilities in a floodplain, whenever practical, and within a 
distance of 100 m of the normal high -water mark of a water body or a water well used 
for drinking or domestic purposes;  
 
(h) considering  the use of existin g utility and transport corridors for access roads and 
pipeline corridors to the extent possible;  65 
  
(i) considering  the routing of access roads to avoid induced impacts such as increased 
access for poaching;  
 
(j) minimizing  the width of a pipeline right -of-way or  access road during construction 
and operations as far as possible;  
 
(k) limiting the amount of pipeline trench left open during construction at any one time 
and using safety fences and other methods to prevent people or animals from falling 
into open trenches  shall be constructed in sensitive locations and within 500 m of 
human populations. In remote areas, install wildlife escape ramps from open trenches 
(typically every 1 km where wildlife is present);  
 
(l) considering  use of animal crossing structures such as bridges, culverts, and over 
crossings, along pipeline and access road rights -of-way;  
 
(m) burying  pipelines along the entire length to a minimum of 1 m to the top -of-pipe, 
wherever this is possible;  
 
(n) carefully considering all of the feasible options for the c onstruction of pipeline river 
crossings including horizontal directional drilling;  
 
(o) clean -up and fully reinstate following construction activities (including appropriate 
revegetation using native plant species following construction activities) the pipelin e 
right of -way and temporary sites such as workforce accommodation camps, storage 
yards, access roads, helipads and construction workshops, to the pre -existing 
topography and drainage contours;  
 
(p) reinstating off -site aggregate extraction facilities includin g borrow pits and quarries 
(opened specifically for construction or extensively used for construction);  
 
(q) implementing  repair and maintenance programs for reinstated sites;  
 
(r) considering  the implementation of low impact seismic techniques (e.g. minimize 
seismic line widths (typically no wider than 5 m), limit the line of sight along new cut 
lines in forested areas (approximately 350 m));  
 
(s) considering shot -hole methods in place of vibroseis where preservation of vegetation 
cover is required and when access i s limited. In areas of low cover (e.g. deserts, or 
tundra with snow cover in place), vibroseis machinery shall be selected, but soft soil 
locations shall be carefully assessed to prevent excessive compaction;  
 
(t) installing temporary and permanent erosion and  sediment control measures, slope 
stabilization measures, and subsidence control and minimization measures at all 
facilities, as necessary;  
 
(u) regularly maintaining vegetation  growth along access roads and at permanent above 
ground facilities, and avoid intr oduction of invasive plant species. In controlling 
vegetation use biological, mechanical and thermal vegetation control measures and 
avoid the use of chemical herbicides as much as possible.  66 
  
(16) If it is demonstrated that the use of herbicides is require d to control vegetation growth 
along access roads or at facilities, then personn el must be trained in their use  
 (17) Where necessary, noise emissions shall be minimized and controlled through the 
application of techniques which may include - 
 
(a) implementatio n of enclosure and cladding of processing plants;  
 
(b) installation of proper sound barriers or noise containments, with enclosures and 
curtains at or near the source equipment (e.g. crushers, grinders, and screens);  
 
(c) installation of natural barriers at facili ty boundaries, such as vegetation curtains or soil 
berms;  
 
(d) optimization of internal - traffic routing, particularly to minimize vehicle reversing 
needs (reducing noise from reversing alarm) and to maximize distances to the closest 
sensitive receptors;  
 
(5) The most significant vibrations are usually associated with blasting activities; however 
vibrations may also be generated by many types of equipment.  
 
(6) Mines shall minimize significant sources of vibration, such as through adequate design of 
crusher fo undations.  
 
(7) For blasting -related emissions (e.g. vibration, airblast, overpressure, or fly rock), the 
following management practices are recommended - 
 
(a) mechanical ripping shall be used, where possible, to avoid or minimize the use of 
explosives;  
 
(b) use o f specific blasting plans, correct charging procedures and blasting ratios, delayed 
/ microdelayed or electronic detonators, and specific in -situ blasting tests (the use of 
downhole initiation with short -delay detonators improves fragmentation and reduces 
ground vibrations);  
 
(c) development of blast design, including a blasting -surfaces survey, to avoid over 
confined  charges, and a drill -hole survey to check for deviation and consequent 
blasting recalculations;  
 
(d) implementation of ground vibration and overpress ure control with appropriate drilling 
grids;  
 
(e) adequately designing the foundations of primary crushers and other significant 
sources of vibrations.  
 
8.0 General provisions relating to hand held transmitted vibration  
(1) Powered processes and tools which ex pose operators' hands to vibration are widespread in 
several industrial activities.  67 
 (2) Occupational exposure to hand -transmitted vibration may arise from hand -held powered 
tools used in - 
(a)  manufacturing including percussive metal -working tools, grinde rs and other 
rotary tools, impact wrenches and quarrying ; 
(b) mining and construction including rock -drills, stone -hammers, pick -hammers, 
vibrocompactors;  
(c) agriculture and forestry including chain saws, brush saws, barking machines; and  
(d) public util ities including road and concrete breakers, drill -hammers, hand -held 
grinders.  
(3) Exposure to hand -transmitted  vibration  may  also occur from vibrating work pieces held 
in the hands of the operator as in pedestal grinding, and from hand -held vibrating controls as 
in operating lawn mowers or in controlling vibrating road compactors.  
(4) Excessive exposure to hand -transmitted vibration can cause disorders in the blood vessels, 
nerves, muscles, and bones and joints of the upper limbs.  
(5) Workers handling  vibrating tools may experience tingling and numbness in their fingers 
and hands.  
(6) If vibration exposure continues, these symptoms tend to worsen and can interfere with 
work capacity and life activities.   
(7) Vibration exposed workers may exhibit incr eased vibratory, thermal and tactile thresholds 
in clinical examinations.  
(8) Continuous vibration exposure can not only depress the excitability of skin receptors but 
also induce pathological changes in the digital nerves such as perineural oedema, follo wed by 
fibrosis and nerve fibre loss.  
(9) Epidemiological surveys of vibration exposed workers show that the prevalence of 
peripheral neurological disorders varies from a few per cent to more than 80 per cent, and 
that sensory loss affects users of a wide  range of tool types.  
 8.1 Whole body transmitted vibration  
Biodynamics :  
(1) Like all mechanical structures, the human body has resonance frequencies where the 
body exhibits a maximum mechanical response.  
 
(2) Human responses to vibration cannot be expla ined solely in terms of a single resonance 
frequency.  
 
(3) There are many resonances in the body, and the resonance frequencies vary among 
people and with posture.  
 
(4) Two mechanical responses of the body are often used to describe the manner in which 
vibration causes the body to move such as transmissibility  and impedance . 68 
  
(5) The transmissibility shows the fraction of the vibration which is transmitted from, say, 
and the  buttocks to the head.  
 
(6) The transmissibility of the body is highly dependent on vibration frequency, vibration 
axis and body posture.  
 
(7) Vertical vibration on a seat causes vibration in several axes at the head; for vertical head 
motion, the transmissibility tends to be greatest in the approximate range of 3 to 10 Hz.  
 
(8) Occup ational exposures to whole -body vibration mainly occur in transport but also in 
association with some industrial processes.  
 
(9) Land, sea and air transport can all produce vibration that can cause discomfort, interfere 
with activities or cause injury.  
 
(10) Below is a list some environments which may be most likely to be associated with a 
health risk.  
 
(11) Activities for which it may be appropriate to warn of the adverse effects of whole -
body vibration include - 
 
(a) tractor driving;  
 
(b) armoured fighting vehic les (e.g., tanks) and similar vehicles;  
 
(c) other off -road vehicles:  
 
(d) earth -moving machinery -loaders, excavators, bulldozers, graders, scrapers, 
dumpers, rollers;  
                              (i) forest machines;  
                               (ii) mine and quarry equipment;  
                                (iii) forklift trucks;  
(e) truck driving (articulated and non -articulated);  
(f) bus and tram driving;  
(g)  helicopter and fixed -wing aircraft flying;  
(h) workers with concrete production machinery;  
(i) rail way drivers;  
(j) use of high -speed marine craft;  
(k) motor bicycle riding;  69 
 (l)  car and van driving;  
(m) sports activities;  
(n) other industrial equipment.  
8.2 Measurement of vibration  
(1) A complete assessment of exposure to vibration requires the measure ment of vibration 
acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s2).  
 
(2) Vibration exposure direction is also important and is measured in well -defined three 
dimensional directions (the x, y, z  axes).  
 
(3) Vibration frequencies and duration of exposure a re also determined.  
 
(4)How hard a person grips a tool affects the amount of vibrational energy entering the 
hands; therefore, hand -grip force is another important factor in the exposure assessment.  
 
(5) The amount of exposure is determined by measuring acceleration in the units of m/s2.  
 
8.2 Instrumentation  
(1) A typical vibration measurement system includes a device to sense the vibration 
(accelerometer), and an instrument to measure the level of vibration.  
 
(2) Currently a number of industries are ma king vibration measuring instruments that look 
like sound level meters. This equipment also has settings for measuring frequency, a 
frequency -weighting network, and a display such as a meter, printer or recorder.  
 
(3) The accelerometer produces an electric al signal. The size of this signal is proportional 
to the acceleration applied to it.  
 
(4) The frequency -weighting network mimics the human sensitivity to vibration of different 
frequencies.  
 
(5) The use of weighting networks gives a single number as a m easure of vibration 
exposure and is expressed as the frequency -weighted vibration exposure in metres per 
second squared (m/s2), units of acceleration.  
(6) The frequency -weighting network for hand -arm vibration is given in the International 
Organization fo r Standardization (ISO) standard ISO 5349.  
(7)  Human hand is not equally sensitive to vibration energy at all frequencies. The sensitivity 
is the highest around 8 -16 Hz.  
(8) Measuring equipment takes this fact into account by using a weighting network.  
(9)  The gain is assigned a value of 1 for vibration frequencies to which the hand -arm system 
has the highest sensitivity.  70 
 (10) The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a method for 
measuring vibration and interpreting the resu lting data.  
(11) This 2001 standard (ISO 5349 -1) also gives the set of curves that can determine 
exposure levels likely to cause the first signs of white finger in workers.  
(12) The measuring instrument shall be suitably calibrated, in accordance with the  relevant 
standard and with the recommendations made about such calibration.  
 
8.3 Recording of data :  
(1) When vibration is measured at a place of work, adequate data shall be collected, 
especially regarding - 
 
(a) the characteristics of the source of vibration  studied and the type of work being 
performed;  
 
(b) the characteristics of the path or manner in which vibration is transmitted the human 
body (whether there are shock absorbers, cushions, etc.);  
 
(c) the point at which (including the description of any intermedia ry elements such as 
sheet sheets) and the pick -up device with which measurements were made, and the 
values obtained;  
 
(d) the instrument used, its accessories and their characteristics (including sensitivity, 
dynamic properties and fineness if resolution);  
 
(e) the number of persons exposed to vibration;  
 
(f) the duration of workers’ exposure; and  
 
(g) the date and time of the measurement.  
 
8.4 Standards for exposure to hand -arm vibration  
(1) The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has 
develop ed Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for vibration exposure from hand -held tools.  
 
(2) The exposure limits are given as frequency -weighted acceleration that represents a 
single number measure of the vibration exposure level.  
 
(3) The frequency -weighting is b ased on a scheme recommended in the international 
standard ISO 5349. Vibration -measuring instruments have a frequency -weighting network 
as an option for vibration measurement.  
 
(4) Table 5 lists acceleration levels and exposure durations to which, ACGIH h as 
determined, most workers may be exposed repeatedly without severe damage to fingers.  
 71 
 (5) ACGIH advises that these guidelines be applied in conjunction with other protective 
measures including vibration control.  
 
Table 5: The ACGIH Threshold Limit Val ues (TLVs) for exposure of the hand to 
vibration in x, y, or z direction*  
 
Total Daily Exposure  
Duration (hours)  Maximum value of frequency weighted  
acceleration (m/s2) in any direction*  
4 to less than 8 hours  4 
2 to less than 4 hours  6 
1 to less than  2 hours  8 
less than 1hour  12 
* Directions of axes in the three -dimensional system.  
8.5 Standards for exposure to whole -body vibration  
(1) The standards and guidelines concerning whole -body vibration are designed to reduce 
vibration to a level where most  workers can perform job tasks without discomfort.  
 
(2) The most widely used document on this topic is Guide for the Evaluation of Human 
Exposure to Whole Body Vibration (ISO 2631).  
 
(3) These exposure guidelines have been adopted as ACGIH TLVs.  
 
(4) Th e ISO standard gives three different types of exposure limits - 
(a) a reduced -comfort boundary;  
(b) the fatigue -decreased proficiency boundary;  
(c) an exposure limit  
(5) The reduced -comfort boundary is for the comfort of people travelling in airplanes, 
boats, and tr ains. Exceeding these exposure limits makes it difficult for passengers to eat, 
read or write when travelling.  
 
(6) The fatigue -decreased proficiency boundary is a limit for time -dependent effects that 
impair performance. For example, fatigue impairs perf ormance in flying, driving and 
operating heavy vehicles. The exposure limit is used to assess the maximum possible 
exposure allowed for whole -body vibration.  
 
(7) A separate set of "severe discomfort boundaries" is given for 8 -hour, 2 -hour and 30 -
minute ex posures to whole body vibration in the 0.1 Hz to 0.63 Hz range. As with all 
standards, it is important to read and understand all the information before applying it in the 
workplace.  
 
(8) These exposure limits are given as acceleration for one third octav e band frequencies 
and three directions of exposure - longitudinal (head < -> toe) and transverse (back < -> 
chest and side < -> side). The exposure limit is the lowest for frequencies between 4 -8 Hz as 
the human body is most sensitive to whole -body vibration s at these frequencies.  72 
  
(9) It is important to remember that people vary in their susceptibility to effects of exposure 
to vibration so the "exposure limits" shall be considered as guides in controlling exposure: 
they shall not be considered as an upper "safe" limit of exposure or a boundary between 
safe and harmful levels.  
(10) This paper proposes to introduce an - 
(a) exposure action value of 0.5 m/s2 A(8) at which level employers shall introduce 
technical and organisational measures to reduce exposure;  
(b) exposure limit value of 1.15 m/s2 A (8) which shall not be exceeded.  
8.6 Exposure limit values and action values  
(1) For hand -arm vibration — 
(a) the daily exposure limit value is 5 m/s2 A (8); 
(b) the daily exposure action value is 2.5 m/s2 A(8),  
and daily ex posure shall be ascertained on the basis set out in Schedule …..  
(2) For whole body vibration - 
             (a) the daily exposure limit value is 1.15 m/s2 A (8); 
            (b) the daily exposure action value is 0.5 m/s2 A (8), 
and daily exposure shall b e ascertained on the basis set out in Schedule …  
8.7 Traffic vibration  
(1) As a vehicle travels along a road, vibration can be generated in the road and subsequently 
propagate towards nearby buildings.  
 
(2) Such vibration is generated by the interaction o f a vehicle’s wheels and the road surface 
and by direct transmission through the air of low frequency energy waves. Some of these 
waves arise as a function of the size, shape and speed of the vehicle, and others from pressure 
fluctuations due to engine, ex haust and other noises generated by the vehicle.  
 
8.8 Discomfort  
(1)  The discomfort caused by vibration acceleration depends on the vibration frequency, 
the vibration direction, the point of contact with the body, and the duration of vibration 
exposure. For vertical vibration of seated persons, the vibration discomfort caused by any 
frequency increases in proportion to the vibration magnitude: a halving of the vibration will 
tend to halve the vibration discomfort.  
(2) The discomfort produced by vibration may be predicted by the use of appropriate 
frequency weightings (see below) and described by a semantic scale of discomfort. There 
are no useful limits for vibration discomfort: the acceptable discomfort varies from one 
environment to another.  73 
 (3) Acceptab le magnitudes of vibration in buildings are close to vibration perception 
thresholds.  
(4) The effects on humans of vibration in buildings are assumed to depend on the use of the 
building in addition to the vibration frequency, direction and duration.  
(5) Guidance on the evaluation of building vibratio n is given in various standards such as 
British Standard 6472 (1992) which defines a procedure for the evaluation of both vibration 
and shock in buildings.  
8.13 Permissible limits for road construction  
Following the above consideration, it is also necessar y to set pe rmissible limits for vibration.  
Table 6: Permissible vibration during road construction in order to minimize the risk of 
building damage  
Permissible vibration velocity (Peak Particle Velocity) at the closest part of any 
property to the source of  vibration at a frequency of  
Less than 10 Hz  10 – 50 Hz  50 – 100 Hz  
8mm/s  12.5mm/s  20mm/s  
 
8.14 Daily exposure to vibration  
 
The daily exposure to vibration ( A (8)) of a person is ascertained using the formula:  
 
 
  
where:  
 
ahv is the vibration magnitud e, in metres per second squared (m/s2); 
T  is the duration of exposure to the vibration magnitude ahv; and  
T0  is the reference duration of 8 hours (28,800 seconds).  
 
To avoid confusion between vibration magnitude and daily exposure to vibration, it is  
conventional to express daily exposure to vibration in m/s2 A (8). 
 
The vibration magnitude, ahv, is ascertained using the formula:  
 
 
 
  
where:  
 74 
 ahwx, ahwy and ahwz  are the root -mean -square acceleration magnitudes, in m/s2, 
measured in  
three orthogonal direc tions, x, y and z, at the vibrating surface in contact with the hand, and 
frequency -weighted using the weighting Wh.  
 
Where both hands are exposed to vibration, the greater of the two magnitudes ahv is used to  
ascertain the daily exposure.  
 
If the work is such that the total daily exposure consists of two or  more operations with 
different vibration magnitudes, the daily exposure ( A(8)) for the combinati on of operations is 
ascertained using the formula:  
 
 
  
 
where:  
 
n  is the number of individual operations within the working day;  
ahvi  is the vibration magnitude for operation i; and  
Ti  is the duration of operation i. 
 
The exposure to vibration averaged over one week ( A (8) week ) is the total exp osure 
occurring within a period of seven consecutive days, norm alised to a reference d uration of 
five 8 -hour days (40 hours). It is ascertained using the formula:  
 
 
  
where:  
 
A (8) j  is the daily exposure for day j. 
 
The exposure to vibration averaged over one week is for use only for the purposes of 
Regulation  these  Regulations . 
 
9.0 Ultrasound  
(1) Ultrasound is acoustic oscillation whose frequency is too high to affect the sense of 
hearing in man. It has frequency range above 20,000 Hz.  75 
 (2) The majority of effects observed in exposure to ultrasound are the result of  acoustic 
energy being converted to heat.  
(3) Ultrasound is rapidly absorbed in air, and protection against it is easy. When exposed to 
ultrasound, warning is given by a feeling of skin burning.  
9.1 Maximum allowable ultrasound in the workplace  
Table 4: M aximum allowable sound pressure levels in the workplace in the vicinity of 
ultrasound.  
Generic frequency means by third octave bands 
(Hz)  12,500  16,000  20,000+  
Sound pressure level (in dB)  75 85 110 
 
 
 
 
Cross References  
 
Local Governments Act, Cap 243  
Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2006, Act No. 9 of 2006  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
…………………  
The Minister of Water and Environment