Noise Exposure Levels in Black Tea Processing Factories and Its Effects on Employees

Öz

The aim of this study was to determine the daily noise exposure levels in black tea processing factories and to evaluate its effects on employees' occupational health and safety. In the study, the sound pressure level dBA values were measured at the ear levels of the employees in each production unit in three tea factories operating in Artvin Province. These factories where the measurements were made consist of withering, curling, oxidation, drying (boiler and stove) and classification units. These units include various systems and mechanisms formed by conveyors, fans, steam heaters, boilers, reducers, pallets, hoods, screens, gears, and drums. In the measurements performed considering the ISO 9612:2009 (Acoustics Determination of Occupational Noise Exposure Engineering Method) standard, a sound pressure level meter in Type-2 class complying with the requirements of the IEC 61672-1: 2002 was used. A weighted equivalent sound pressure levels were determined using the measured values. Considering these values and working times, personal daily noise exposure levels were calculated. It was determined that the equivalent sound pressure levels and daily personal noise exposure levels at the employee ear level were in the range of 77-87 dBA and 74-83 dBA, respectively. Curling units have the highest equivalent sound pressure level (86.81 dBA) and daily personal noise exposure level value (83.10 dBA) compared to other units, while boilers have the lowest equivalent sound pressure level (76.75 dBA) and daily personal noise exposure level value (73.55 dBA). Considering the regulation on protection of employees from noise related risks, it was concluded that the daily noise exposure level reached the lower exposure action value (80 dBA) in these factories. The study showed that the health and work efficiency of the employees could be adversely affected by noise in tea factories, considering various research results and Regulations on noise. 

Anahtar Kelimeler

• tea manufacturing
• noise measurement
• sound pressure level
• occupational health
• ergonomics

Noise Exposure Levels in Black Tea Processing Factories and Its Effects on Employees

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, siyah çay fabrikalarındaki günlük gürültü maruziyet düzeylerini belirlemek ve çalışanların iş sağlığı ve güvenliği üzerindeki etkilerini değerlendirmektir. Çalışmada Artvin ilinde faaliyet gösteren üç çay fabrikasının her bir üretim biriminde çalışanların kulak seviyelerinde ses basınç düzeyi dBA değerleri ölçülmüştür. Ölçümlerin yapıldığı bu fabrikalar soldurma, kıvırma, oksidasyon, kurutma (kazan ve soba) ve sınıflandırma birimlerinden oluşmaktadır. Bu üniteler; konveyörler, fanlar, buharlı ısıtıcılar, kazanlar, redüktörler, paletler, davlumbazlar, elekler, dişliler ve tamburlardan oluşan çeşitli sistem ve mekanizmaları içermektedir. ISO 9612: 2009 (Mesleki Gürültü Maruziyet Mühendisliği Yöntemi) standardı dikkate alınarak yapılan ölçümlerde IEC 61672-1: 2002 şartlarına uygun Tip-2 sınıfında bir ses basınç düzeyi ölçer kullanılmıştır. Ölçülen değerler kullanılarak A ağırlıklı eşdeğer ses basıncı seviyeleri belirlenmiştir. Bu değerler ve çalışma süreleri dikkate alınarak kişisel günlük gürültü maruziyet seviyeleri hesaplanmıştır. Çalışanların kulak seviyesindeki eşdeğer ses basınç seviyeleri ve günlük kişisel gürültü maruziyet seviyelerinin sırasıyla 77-87 dBA ve 74-83 dBA aralığında olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ölçüm yapılan tüm üniteler içerisinde, kıvırma ünitelerinin diğer ünitelere kıyasla en yüksek eşdeğer ses basınç seviyesine (86.81 dBA) ve günlük kişisel gürültü maruziyet seviyesine (83.10 dBA) sahipken, kazanların en düşük eşdeğer ses basınç seviyesine (76.75 dBA) ve günlük kişisel gürültü maruziyet seviyesi değerine (73.55 dBA) sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Çalışanların gürültüye bağlı risklerden korunmasına ilişkin yönetmelik dikkate alındığında, bu fabrikalarda günlük gürültü maruziyet seviyesinin en düşük günlük kişisel gürültü maruziyet eylem değerine (80 dBA) ulaştığı sonucuna varılmıştır. Çalışmada elde edilen veriler, çeşitli araştırma sonuçları ve gürültü yönetmeliği dikkate alındığında, çalışanların iş sağlığı ve güvenliğinin yanı sıra iş verimliliğinin çay fabrikalarındaki gürültüden olumsuz etkilenebileceğini göstermiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• çay üretimi
• gürültü ölçümü
• ses basınç düzeyi
• iş sağlığı
• ergonomi

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