Safety Briefing: Noise, Vibration and Ergonomic Hazards

The most common construction hazards—falls, struck-by incidents, electrocution and caught-in/between injuries—make up OSHA’s “Fatal Four.” But jobsite risks go well beyond those highly visible and dramatic events.
 
Among the many dangers to construction workers are physical stressors that wear down the body over time.

This safety briefing focuses on three of those: noise, vibration and ergonomic strain. While not always obvious, each of these can lead to injury, loss of work and permanent disability. 


Noise Hazards
It comes as no surprise that excessive noise exposure is a leading cause of hearing loss in the construction industry. According to the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), roughly 14% of construction workers report having hearing issues from job-related noise exposure. Once hearing is lost, it doesn’t come back.

Hearing damage is usually gradual and cumulative, and many workers don’t realize their hearing is compromised until it’s too late. Beyond permanent loss, high noise levels can cause tinnitus and fatigue and irritability, according to the Builders Mutual blog. They also interfere with important jobsite communication—which itself can lead to serious injury. 
 
OSHA requires a hearing conservation program when noise exposure exceeds 85 dBA over an 8-hour shift, a level regularly surpassed on construction sites. The components of such a program are:

• Noise monitoring
• Audiometric testing for exposed employees
• Hearing protection provided at no cost
• Employee training
• Recordkeeping
• Ongoing program evaluation and refinement
  

Mitigation Steps
For ongoing efforts to manage noise levels on the jobsite, the Hierarchy of Controls provides a standardized approach to address safety issues. (For more information, see related eBook: Making Sense of Jobsite Safety.)

• Elimination: Eliminating the hazard altogether is the highest-level (i.e., most effective) activity in the Hierarchy of Controls, but let’s be realistic, it’s probably not an option in many jobsite situations.
• Substitution: Select quieter equipment when possible.
• Engineering controls: Install noise barriers or enclosures around stationary machines. Keep machines and tools in good working order to reduce unnecessary noise.
• Administrative controls: Limit time spent in high-noise areas. Schedule noisy tasks during times with fewer people on site. Provide training and monitor compliance with safety protocols.
• PPE: Provide hearing protection with appropriate noise reduction ratings (NRR) and ensure they’re comfortable and correctly fitted.

Vibration Hazards
Prolonged use of vibrating tools or heavy equipment can damage nerves, muscles and connective tissue. There are two primary forms of injury, notes Florida-based construction lawyer Trent Cotney in his blog: 

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS): Caused by extended use of tools like saws and impact drills, HAVS includes symptoms such as tingling, numbness, reduced grip strength and “vibration white finger”—a condition in which fingers lose circulation and turn pale or numb. The damage is often permanent if not caught early.

Whole-body vibration (WBV): Equipment operators experience this through seats or platforms that transfer vibration through the spine. Over time, it can lead to lower back pain, disc damage and other musculoskeletal problems.

According to multiple occupational health studies, up to 50% of workers exposed to high vibration levels without controls may develop HAVS or similar conditions.

Mitigation Steps

• Elimination
• Substitution: Choose low-vibration tools or those with vibration-dampening features. 
• Engineering controls: Use equipment only as recommended. Maintain blades and bits in sharp, balanced condition.
• Administrative controls: Limit time spent using high-vibration tools or operating heavy equipment. Schedule recovery breaks. Encourage a light grip on tools and periodic rest. Avoid continuous exposure by rotating tasks.
• PPE: Provide anti-vibration gloves and ensure that equipment seats are cushioned, sprung and well-maintained. Train workers on the early signs of vibration-related injury. Use regular health checks to detect issues before they become permanent.

Ergonomic Hazards
Construction workers regularly engage in physically demanding tasks: lifting, bending, kneeling, twisting and using hand tools for extended periods. While each action alone might not cause harm, the combination—day after day, year after year—takes a toll.
Ergonomic injuries often appear as:

• Sprains and strains, especially in the lower back, shoulders and knees.
• Tendonitis and bursitis from repetitive hand or arm motions.
• Chronic joint issues, including herniated discs or osteoarthritis.
  Fatigue and reduced mobility, leading to lower productivity and higher risk of acute injury.
  

Overexertion and repetitive motion are the top causes of nonfatal injuries in construction, accounting for roughly one-third of all lost workdays, according to the Center for Construction Research & Training.