Monitoring Noise Levels at Construction Sites

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) which party is responsible for the installation and maintenance of noise monitoring devices at construction sites to ensure that accurate readings are recorded; (b) what is the procedure put in place to protect the integrity of such readings; and (c) for each year from 2010 to 2013, what is the number of cases where the noise levels exceeded the maximum permissible limit.

Construction companies are legally obligated to keep noise levels below limits stipulated by NEA. The construction companies have to install and maintain noise meters to measure noise levels generated from their work sites. These noise meters are typically installed at the nearest affected building.

For major projects of contract value more than $3 million and for projects which involve demolition or piling, contractors are required to install real-time noise monitoring systems. This system allows both NEA and contractors to monitor the noise levels online in real-time. For projects with contract value below $3 million, as well as projects that do not involve demolition or piling, the contractors are required to install standalone noise meters, and to submit their noise monitoring charts to NEA weekly.

NEA officers conduct site inspections to ensure that the meters are installed properly. Court prosecutions will be taken against any contractors found to have tampered with the noise meters or their readings.

From 2010 to 2012, alongside increasing construction activity, the number of cases where the noise levels exceeded the stipulated limits rose from 248 to 568 in 2011, and to 572 in 2012. With effect from 1 September 2011, construction work on new projects has not been allowed on Sundays and the eve of Public Holidays, that is, work ceases from 10.00 pm on Saturdays or eve of Public Holidays to 7.00 am on Mondays or the days after the Public Holidays. The number of cases where the noise levels exceeded the limits has come down to 483 in 2013.

I would like to reassure Mr Baey that my Ministry and NEA recognise the impact noise has on residents' quality of living. Besides enforcement of regulations, we are also working with MND and MOT to encourage the

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construction industry to adopt better technology and improved construction practices to reduce noise.