Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2022.1437
Exposure to Occupational Noise: Machine Operators of Full Tree System in Brazil
Diego Aparecido Camargo
orcid.org/0000-0002-7944-8339
; São Paulo State University (Unesp) School of Agriculture, Botucatu 3780, Universitária Avenue Botucatu 18610-034 BRAZIL
Rafaele Almeida Munis
; São Paulo State University (Unesp) School of Agriculture, Botucatu 3780, Universitária Avenue Botucatu 18610-034 BRAZIL
Gislaine Cristina Batistela
; São Paulo State University (Unesp) Campus of Itapeva 519, Geraldo Alckmin Street Itapeva 18409-010 BRAZIL
Danilo Simões
; São Paulo State University (Unesp) School of Agriculture, Botucatu 3780, Universitária Avenue Botucatu 18610-034 BRAZIL
Abstract
Physical agent noise can be considered one of the main disturbances that compromise the
occupational health of self-propelled forest machine operators. We evaluated whether
occupational noise levels emitted by self-propelled forest machines employed in the full tree
system are in accordance with both the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
and ISO 1999:2013 standards, while also proposing mitigating measures aimed at protecting
the operators hearing. Seventeen operators, who performed wood harvesting operations in
Eucalyptus forests in Brazil, were analyzed. Noise levels were collected in a daily shift of eight
hours as recommended by the Acoustics – Determination of occupational noise exposure -
Engineering method for full-day measurements (ISO 9612:2009). The standards adopted for
the evaluation were the exposure action value of 80 dBA and the exposure limit of 85 dBA
based on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health – NIOSH and on Acoustics
– Estimation of noise-induced hearing loss (ISO 1999:2013) Directive 2003/10/EC. The
operators were arranged in homogeneous groups according to the Acoustics recommendation
– Determination of occupational noise exposure – Engineering method for full-day
measurements (ISO 9612:2009), classified by the operations of felling, skidding of tree bundles
and bucking. The results showed that 17 self-propelled forest machines exceeded the exposure
action value of 80 dBA, of which 10 machines exceeded the exposure limit of 85 dBA. It was
concluded that the levels of occupational noise emitted by self-propelled forest machines used
in the full tree system are higher than those recommended by both standards, National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health and ISO 1999:2013. Therefore, the allocation of selfpropelled
forest machines to homogeneous groups allows inferring mitigation actions that
protect operators’ hearing. The correct use of hearing protectors during the daily workday
provides hearing protection for operators in mechanized wood harvesting. Adoption of actions
such as maintenance of cabin seals and mechanical components, breaks for fatigue relief,
reduction of daily working hours and rotation of operators in different self-propelled forest
machines can mitigate the damage to the occupational health of operators.
Keywords
ergonomics, Eucalyptus, forest operations, labor disorders, physical agent, wood harvesting
Hrčak ID:
290858
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2022.
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