Analysis of noise on construction sites of high-rise buildings

This paper analyzes measurements of sound pressure levels on construction sites in Brazil to argue for better worker protection. The measurements provide valuable evidence to support better worker protection, but the manuscript would benefit from a more comprehensive discussion of the effectiveness of control measures.

For example, the authors suggest rearranging machinery to limit the number of workers exposed to their noise, but I would have liked to read at least a cursory analysis of how much such measures can reduce noise, and whether administrative or engineering solutions can sufficiently meet safe noise thresholds. If such analysis wasn't conducted within the scope of this work, then literature review could inform such discussion.

Edit: added lit. review recommendation

Read only the intro and conclusion but my anecdotal experience is that construction workers seem to really avoid wearing protective gear when it isn't strictly enforced. I regularly see people using extremely loud equipment like cutting pavers without any hearing protection or a filtering mask for all the harmful particles coming off.

Not sure if its a lack of education on the risks or if its more of a "tough guy" mentality of avoiding safety gear.

in heavy construction, there are personality types, job descriptions, and source of contract, at least.. (what I saw) each specialty has people from "sketchy pickup help with obvious problems" to "journeymen-young" to unionized people or specialty, high-rate sources. Those varying sources have different habits that are sort of consistent within their group. Guys with their own trucks, try to drink on the job, have some kind of sketchy scam moves.. or maybe more modern, people that really do not speak the prevailing language well (edit: English here) and may not really be literate in their own language.. those folk do tend to cheat the safety, have poor training, not look out of themselves or others.. including ear protection.

For some asinine reason, the steel workers are a breed apart, and go deaf regularly while brandishing their intense crafts.

Meanwhile, super fastidious, long-term, skilled people in many trades, wear all sorts of protection, correctly, in good condition.

Of course there is an element of supervision and enforcement in determining how safety equipment is available and used, but more than that I think it is the peer group, the procedures/expectations from their own company, how they got hired, where they come from socially and where they think they are going personally, that changes the habits.

side note - substance abuse including alcohol and tobacco is common, however, when you move your body all day long, it burns up toxins far faster than any desk jockey, even given a lunch hour sports break.