Rank: Forum user 
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Is there a maximum allowable decibel level of outdoor equipment such as those found on construction sites i.e. Stihl Saws, Hammer Drill etc. I appreciate that it is mandotary for operatives to wear hearing protection when exposed to noise levels of 85 DbA and above, but are there any legal limits set on such equipment?
If so, does this apply to road machines as well such as excavators, dumper trucks etc.
I'm thinking about the noise effects on the wider environment such as residents and members of the pubic passing by Thanks in advance
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Rank: Super forum user
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I think the answer is NO but I can't point you towards any guidance. Environmental noise issues are different from work issues. I think it will be down to the local authority to decide if they find the noise level to be a nuisance. I had a small pump that kicked in when it rained. Noise level was well below 80dBA but we had to stop using it due to sound carrying to nearby flats. Time of day and location of equipment seems to be main factors.
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Rank: Super forum user
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This is from the HSE: The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 require suppliers of machinery to minimise noise at source. If that is not practicable they must try to incorporate noise reducing measures into the equipment e.g. fit partial enclosures, screens etc to protect against remaining noise. If the noise level from a machine still remains high in spite of these controls, the supplier must provide information so the equipment can be used without risk from noise – for example, advice on hearing protection. Any noise levels they describe will be approximate as, of course the actual noise level depends on things like, old the machinery is, what state it is and where it is located.
If the is environmental noise then that is down to the local authority’s enforcers. They have a duty to deal with to deal with it under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. For a noise to amount to a statutory nuisance, it must be "prejudicial to health or a nuisance" – so under section 79 of the act it includes “noise that is prejudicial to health or a nuisance and is emitted from or caused by a vehicle, machinery or equipment in a street “. It is not about actual decibel levels but about whether it annoys people in the area and is unreasonable.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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SMSR, EHSR 1.5.8
Machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way that risks resulting from the emission of airborne noise are reduced to the lowest level, taking account of technical progress and the availability of means of reducing noise, in particular at source. The level of noise emission may be assessed with reference to comparative emission data for similar machinery.
Harmonised standards: EN ISO 15744:2008 Hand-held non-electric power tools - Noise measurement code - Engineering method (grade 2) (ISO 15744:2002) EN ISO 22868:2011 Forestry and gardening machinery - Noise test code for portable hand-held machines with internal combustion engine - Engineering method (Grade 2 accuracy) (ISO 22868:2011)
These would probably help, but then again your machinery should already meet these, and you should have verified this in accordance with PUWER Reg 10... ;)
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 1 user thanked paul.skyrme for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Try looking here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/227/pdfs/uksi_20150227_en.pdf
and here:
http://www.barbicanliving.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/BS-5228-Part-1-Noise.pdf
This version is out of date but will give you an idea
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1 user thanked sidestep45 for this useful post.
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Rank: New forum user
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Yes - there are noise labelling requirements for a range of 'outdoor' equipment, including many types of construction equipment, and maximum permissible levels for a subset of this equipment. Applicable Regulatiosn are the snappily titled: The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001 (SI 1701 / 2001) There are CE marking requirements, and these Regs apply alongside the Supply of Machinery Regs as mentioned by a previous respondee. Link here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/noise
Tim
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Rank: Forum user
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Noise impacts on residents and the general public will be a planning issue. There may be conditions set by the planning authority when granting permission, such as maximum noise levels at certain locations, restricting site working hours and compulsory monitoring and reports.
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