Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-1902
Workplace Noise Exposure After Modernisation of an Aluminium Processing Complex
Jagoda Doko-Jelinić
; Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Jela Lukić
; Aluminij d.d. Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ružica Udovičić
; Aluminij d.d. Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Eugenija Žuškin
; Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Iskra Aleksandra Nola
; Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Zdenko Zajec
; Dr Andrija Štampar Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess to which extent modernisation of an aluminium production complex reduced occupational noise hazard for jobs with the highest potential of exposure. Periodical measurements of noise level were taken at the same workplaces using the same method, before and after modernisation of all plants. The results were compared with the recommended standard. After modernisation, the noise was significantly reduced in all sections of all plants. The greatest reduction was measured in the foundry. After modernisation, the portion of workplaces with excessive noise level dropped significantly (chi-square=21.315; p<0.0001) from 78.4 % to 13 %. Noise remained a problem in ingot casting and dross skimming section. In the anode plant, noise remained a problem in the green mill section where noise intensities generated by mills and vibrocompactors varied from 95 dB(A) to 102 dB(A). In the electrolysis plant, the portion of workplaces with extensive noise dropped from 77.8 % to 39.3 % after modernisation (p=0.0019). Noise remains to be a problem at the anode covering section where levels rise up to 100 dB(A). The modernisation of the factory has considerably reduced the noise level in the working environment of all plants, but it can not be reduced completely.
Keywords
anode manufacture; electrolysis; foundry; occupational exposure
Hrčak ID:
40685
URI
Publication date:
15.9.2009.
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