The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001

Compaction machine

8.  A machine which compacts material, eg rock fills, soil or asphalt surfacing, through a rolling, tamping or vibrating action of the working tool. It may be self-propelled, towed, walk-behind or an attachment to a carrying machine. Compaction machines are subdivided as follows:

• rollers for ride-on operators: self-propelled compaction machines with one or more metallic cylindrical bodies (drums) or rubber tyres; the operator’s station is an integral part of the machine

• walk-behind rollers: self-propelled compaction machines with one or more metallic cylindrical bodies (drums) or rubber tyres in which the operation facilities for travelling, steering, braking and vibrating are disposed in such a way that the machines have to be operated by an attending operator or by remote control

• towed roller: compaction machines with one or more metallic cylindrical bodies (drums) or rubber tyres which do not possess an independent drive system and where the operator’s station is to be found on a tractor unit

• vibratory plates and vibratory rammers: compaction machines with mainly flat base plates which are made to vibrate. They are operated by an attending operator or as an attachment to a carrier machine

• explosion rammers: compaction machines with mainly a flat pad as the compacting tool which is made to move in a predominantly vertical direction by explosion pressure. The machine is operated by an attending operator.