operation of waste facilities Dan Clayton SLR Consulting Alberta - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Noise considerations in the design and operation of waste facilities Dan Clayton SLR Consulting Alberta Care Spring Seminar 2019 1 OVERVIEW This presentation is prepared to provide information on the following: What is Acoustics?
Alberta Care Spring Seminar 2019
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This presentation is prepared to provide information on the following:
generated by operating a waste management facility?
when designing a site with respect to noise?
use to control noise?
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Worked in Acoustics Consultancy for over 12 years Moved from UK recently Sectors worked in:
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SLR delivers global environmental and advisory solutions
We provide advice and services to clients in the oil and gas, mining and minerals, infrastructure, built environment, industry, and power sectors.
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Subtitle
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lists that would explain about the project or image.
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Our team’s expertise can be employed in a variety of ways, from providing guidance on architectural acoustics to carrying out full environmental noise impact assessments for major industrial facilities and infrastructure projects.
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Our health is becoming increasingly affected by noise through:
More people are affected by noise than ever have been. Due to growing populations and infrastructure demands. Animals alter their behaviour or move to avoid noise. This has a flow-on effect for whole ecosystems and us!
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When should we look at noise and vibration issues?
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After a complaint? At commissioning stage? At the construction stage?
There’s lots of space in Canada! We don’t need to worry about noise from waste sites right?
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Noise complaints are on the rise and people and industry are getting closer together! Consideration of noise often comes last or not at all. Then a problem hits and it’s painful for residents and operators! It’s expensive to resolve retrospectively due to
– Operating hours – Flexibility of permitted operations or processing areas – Types of waste that can be processed
All of these things can be reduced or avoided!!
What are the main acoustic considerations for waste management sites?
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Environmental noise affecting people
Environmental noise affecting wildlife Noise affecting workers – Occupational Noise Occupational Vibration
– Hand Arm – Whole Body
What are the main acoustics issues for waste facilities?
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Offsite Environmental Noise Pollution:
Onsite Environmental Noise Pollution:
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What is the criteria?
No regulation or criteria for waste facilities in Alberta (causes confusion and unnecessary delays) Relies on Consultation with Public to agree criteria (lengthy process)
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Agree criteria and methodology with stakeholders and public Model sound sources Baseline monitoring Assessment Mitigate Commissioning
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No province criteria for waste facility assessment Bylaw limits are often out of date and too high Can we use AER Directive 38 or AUC Rule 012
Why not? They are designed for constant and broadband sound. Waste Facilities are different!
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What should we use?
will change the acoustic environment
broadband
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Why model? Easier than moving after operations start Optimize site for
Save money!
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Need to measure the existing sound levels prior to
Monitor at a number of sensitive receptors and over a minimum of a week period Monitor during periods of low wind speeds and without rain or snow.
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Once the site has been optimised as far as possible, we may still need to reduce the sound on site to
in sound level due to proposed operations
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Select quieter equipment Reduce sound at source through silencers or enclosures Equipment with less annoying characteristics Place permanent structures around high noise items including:
Educate workers on how to operate machinery to minimize noise
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What’s the default solution to occupational noise?
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Put work areas away from high sound areas Automating processes so less time spent near high sound equipment Introduce noise control (similar methods to environmental) Train workers about exposure to high sound levels Assess hearing protection requirements, provide hearing protection to workers and train them how to use it
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Hearing test is not a form of defence! It’s too late Measure the sound level in work areas
Determine the frequency content (Hz) of sound in work areas Specify hearing protection to achieve below Health Canada Hearing Damage Levels at the ear
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Care should be taken to not under or over protect workers Provide training to workers on the importance of hearing protection and how to use it Why do this? Because if it’s not specified correctly then the employer is liable down the road!
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Need to check that the design works in reality Modelling is only as good as the information put into it, assumptions are often made Verification through sound measurement is the best way to check compliance once operational
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Noise assessment and design prior to operation saves time and money; minimizing impacts on people and the environment. Alberta needs to introduce noise regulations for
Method an options for achieving effective noise pollution management and control and minimizing risk to workers
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Dan Clayton SLR Consulting Ltd dclayton@slrconsulting.com