Evaluation of noise levels in flour factories in terms of occupational health and safety

Abstract

This study aims to determine the daily noise exposure levels in flour mills and evaluate the effects on the health and safety of workers. The study measured the equivalent sound pressure levels of workers exposed in two flour mills operating in Konya province in dBA. The factories include machines with high noise levels, such as sifters, sieves, and rollers. A Type-2 class sound pressure level meter was used in the measurements taken in accordance with ISO 9612: 2009 standard. Based on the measured values, the A-weighted equivalent sound pressure levels were determined, and the daily personal noise exposure levels were calculated taking into account the working hours. It was determined that the equivalent sound pressure levels and the daily individual noise exposure levels of the workers were in the range of 88.2-97.7 dBA and 87.9-97.4 dBA, respectively, and above the minimum daily personal exposure limit (80 dBA) specified in the legislation. As a result of the study, it was evaluated that the noise in flour mills can negatively affect the health and safety of workers as well as their job performance.