Be a considerate contractor this Christmas
As the carol goes – ‘tis the season to be jolly. But here at Echo Barrier, we are keen to stress ‘tis the season to not be noisy. This Christmas, we look at why it’s important to be a considerate contractor and not be seen as a noise pollution Grinch.
Just like with all times of the year, noise pollution is more than just a menace. It is a serious risk to the physical and mental health of people around the world.
Those complaining about noisy utility works are not a Scrooge – and their health and wellbeing should always be of paramount importance, especially if you don’t want fines or a court summons in your Christmas stocking.
Noisy high street works
The Christmas season is a bumper time for town and city centres across the country, as millions take to the high street to find the perfect gift or a festive drink.
For many, that holiday spirit can quickly be shattered by utilities work carried out over the holidays.
Responsible contractors should always take the effects noise emitting from their works can have into consideration. Not doing so can lead to significant repercussions from local authorities, which left unaddressed often result in heavy fines or a complete shutdown of works altogether.
But it is even more important when their works are surrounded by crowds of shoppers whose health can be at serious risk because of them. And the sound of a pneumatic drill should not drown out the sounds of your favourite Christmas carols.
Using Echo Barrier acoustic panels at your worksite can help reduce sound by as much as 100%, protecting both the public and workers from dangerous levels of sound.
What’s more, our barriers provide effective protection to both the public and workers from serious hazards on-site. Safety is at the heart of everything we do.
Transport
Driving home for Christmas is an exciting time – until you encounter dreaded roadworks. And it is the same for those taking the train too, should emergency trackwork be underway.
Echo Barrier products aren’t just designed to protect people from noise – they help see projects completed on time, too.
Many works are forced to take place during daylight hours to minimise the effects of noise on those living nearby. That doesn’t have to be the case when using Echo Barrier’s world-leading acoustic solutions.
Using our products helps effectively cut out dangerous levels of noise, alleviating the threat of serious health risks and shutdown by local authorities. That provides local authorities the evidence to allow your works to take place out of office hours, reducing the impact on travel time for commuters and motorists alike.
But don’t just take our word for it. Our work to combat noise pollution at Earls Court station in London during the Christmas track improvements was so successful we were invited to continue works the following year.
We didn’t just replicate our success – we exceeded it. Our work helped trackwork end two hours and fifty-five minutes early, clocking up a 155% increase in track renewals delivered compared to the previous year.
All of that helped save commuters from a nightmare, with John Hardy, head of track programme at the time of the project for the London Underground adding: “This has been our most operationally successful closures to date.”
How serious are the health risks?
Noise pollution is an issue of global importance and its effects are mounting around the world.
The World Health Organization have labelled it a “threat to public health”, with more than 30% of people regularly exposed to noise that has a negative impact on their wellbeing.
But it isn’t just mental health that noise pollution affects, it is physical too – with cardiovascular disease among the associated risks to continued exposure.
Why Echo Barrier?
Echo Barrier are the market leaders in noise abatement, trusted by event organisers and project managers around the world to help navigate local regulations.
We have a proven track record of cutting out noise in a range of industries and sectors – from events to demolition.
Our award-winning panels can reduce noise by as much as 100% at certain frequencies, providing a safer space for both workers and the public alike.
They are built to withstand both the freezing temperatures of New Year’s and the full strength of summer sun. We only use the highest quality materials, meaning our products can last up to five times longer than our competitors – or up to 10 years.
What’s more, our panels can be used to display important information and company branding – or, if you’re feeling festive, a Merry Christmas message.
To learn more about why our products are regarded as the best in the world, visit our Why Echo Barrier? page.
All of us at Echo Barrier wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.