Measurement of Noise in Agricultural Farms to Reduce Risk for Hearing Impairment
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Transcript of Measurement of Noise in Agricultural Farms to Reduce Risk for Hearing Impairment
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
Measurement of Noise in Agricultural Farms to Reduce Risk
for Hearing Impairment
Q. Geng, N. Adolfsson & K. Öberg
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
Background
Hearing loss is an irreversible disease, which is accounting for
~ 1/3 of all work-related diseases in Europe.
Noise is an unwanted sound that can cause hearing impairment
and increase risk of accidents.
In Sweden, agricultural workers have the highest
amount (31.8%) of occupational hearing impairment.
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
BackgroundThere are lots of noisy sources in agricultural workplaces.
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
Objectives
to evaluate the daily dose of hazardous noise,
related to the health risks for hearing
impairment, through measurement of noise
exposure;
to find a correlation between the results with
the farmers’ daily work activities.
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
Methods Measurements of noise dose
16 farmers (15 males), aged 18-64, participated in the study
Noise dose was measured with each farmer over one working day by using a dosimeter.
Working time for each action was recorded during the dose measuring.
The measurement was carried out twice for each participator in different seasons, spring/summer and autumn.
Total 32 measurements were performed.
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
MethodsMeasurements of noise sources
• Measurements were carried out in the 16 farms with pig or dairy production (8 of each).
• Each sound level was measured 1 metre
from the source and at ear-height by using
a sound level meter (2238 Mediator)
• All noise sources were investigated in terms
of its’ sound level (A-weighted).
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
Results
64
10
24
39
26
120
7064
165
106
21 21
90
34
118
853
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
P1a P1b P4a P4b P9a P9bP10
aP10
bP11
aP11
bP12
aP12
bP15
aP15
bP16
aP16
b
Measurements with the participants
No
ise
do
se, %
Noise dose 100 % = 85 dB(A) in 8 hours Repairing work in work shop
The noise dose measured from the farmers who worked at pig farms
Big variation among the doses
100% is a limit of hazardously noise exposure
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
Results
Noise dose 100 % = 85 dB(A) in 8 hours
82
23
47
77
149 152
185
34
62
33
111
49
7
29
12 10
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
Measurements with the participants
Noi
se d
ose,
%
The noise dose measured from the farmers who worked at dairy farms
100% is a limit of hazardously noise exposure
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
P16a, 041108, 8 hours Leq 86 dB(A), noise dose 118%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
11007
:24
07:3
907
:54
08:0
908
:24
08:3
908
:54
09:0
909
:24
09:3
909
:54
10:0
910
:24
10:3
910
:54
11:0
911
:24
11:3
911
:54
12:0
912
:24
12:3
912
:54
13:0
913
:24
13:3
913
:54
14:0
914
:24
14:3
914
:54
15:0
915
:24
15:3
9
Clock (hh:mm)
Leq
dB(A
)
Weighing of pigs, cleaning of scale
break, office job
Tending, bedding straw, feeding, swill tank
Lunch
Rep. of pump Transport of grain
The noise level versus working time over a day while a farmer worked at a pig farm
Results
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1100
6:3
70
6:5
20
7:0
70
7:2
20
7:3
70
7:5
20
8:0
70
8:2
20
8:3
70
8:5
20
9:0
70
9:2
20
9:3
70
9:5
21
0:0
71
0:2
21
0:3
71
0:5
211
:07
11:2
211
:37
11:5
21
2:0
71
2:2
21
2:3
71
2:5
21
3:0
71
3:2
21
3:3
71
3:5
21
4:0
71
4:2
21
4:3
71
4:5
21
5:0
71
5:2
21
5:3
71
5:5
2
Clock (hh:mm)
Le
g d
B(A
)
Rest
Driving chopper of silage, unloading Round baler
Lunch
Milking
D6a, 040722, 9 hours Leq 87 dB(A), noise dose 185%
Crushing
The noise level versus working time over a day while a farmer worked at a dairy farm
Results
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
Noise sourceSound level Leq dB(A) Measuring place, note
Grain roller 88 -105 In a separate room, on loft, in building beside cow-shedSilage blower, electric motor 97 - 104 During putting silage into unloading table, emptying silageGrinding machine 92 - 103 During grinding knives in workshopStraw chopper, gasoline-powered 100 In loose housing barnGrain mill 90 - 97 In a separate room, in building beside piggeryLorry motor 96 Driven fan blower for filling silage in i tower siloVacuum cleaner 86 - 95 During clearning drying plant or passages of piggeryElectric saw 94 Sawing, 60 cm bladeCompressor, vacuum pump 94 In a separate room, in the adjacent room to milk coolerElectric motor for mucking out 82 - 93 In piggery, hydraulic motor in a specially room in housePigs 87 - 93 At feed-lot, during vaccinating of pigsFodder mixer 87 - 91 Above milking parlour, in the adjacent room to piggeryHigh-pressure washing 81 - 91 Cleaning of milking parlour, in hall adjacent to piggeryHay drier 86 - 88 About 3 meters below exhaust Ventilation fan 87 In piggeryPump 81 - 86 Two stirring pumps at silos in feed-room, one in feed mixer Grain drier 86 About 3 meters below exhaustCyclone 85 Silage wagon during emptying, ~ 4m up of the buildingCompressor of fodder steering 85 Compressor-room in pig barnTractor 85 In a door closed Cabin, 540 rpm PTORefrigerating machine 85 In cooling-room
Results - Higher sound level of noise sources
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
Discussion
There is a risk for hearing loss if a person is exposed to a single
noise source over a workday without hearing protectors, or an
exposure to a high noise level after few minutes, e.g., working
with grinding machine in 101 dB(A) for 4 minutes, working in
104 dB(A) with silage blower or grain roller for 2 minutes.
Awareness of the risks for hearing impairment and measures for
reducing noise are both important for the farmers.
All the farmers should be informed and trained on WHAT kind
of the risks exists when he/she is exposed to noise and HOW
the risks for the hearing impairment could be reduced.
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
Discussion
It is not only the intensity that determines whether noise is hazardous, but duration of the exposure is also important. A reduction of the noise exposure time should be made when planning the working schedule.
A hearing protector should be used when working under noise environments and when the noise level is over 80 dB(A).
A noise analysis should be considered for utilizing new techniques in agricultural production.
Noisy machines should be placed (or closed) in areas where people are not usually present.
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
Conclusions
Noise sources, which caused the farmers exposed to the high
noise dose that can result in the hearing impairment, should
be reduced.
Use of a hearing protector when working under high noise
environments.
Awareness of the risks for hearing impairment and measures to
reduce noise are important for the farmers.
Choice of new machines, built-in of new apparatus and working schedule should always pay attention to both the reduction of the noise and the exposed time.
Q.Geng, 15th CAWS 2007
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
The study was financed by the Swedish Farmers’ Foundation for Agricultural Research