Proyecto EBI

Finanta Gaffar Rifa’i¹, Septyani Prihatiningsih¹, Tri Martiana¹

1Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia

Correspondence author :

Abstract

Background. The engine assembly area has some hazards of working environment, one of which is noise. Noise can come from engines and equipment for engine assembly, such as impact gun. Based on environmental measurement results for noise in the office area located not far from the engine area reached 88.1 dBA. The value exceeds the TLV works in 8 hours of 85 dBA, so recommended actions or improvement for control to reduce noise in the area of office engine assembly. Purpose. To reduce the noise intensity in the office engine assembly area so that within the limits of the allowed threshold value. Methods. This research was experimental with cross sectional study design by making isolation barrier between office area with production assembly engine area. Results. Measurement of exposure of noise to workers is done for 2 days in the office engine assembly area with time every day 8 hours according to working hours. Obtained results Leq / Lavq 93,3 dBA. Then conducted a study to determine the form of noise reduction that will be done. Some analysis: 1. No barrier for noise exposure. 2. Close distance between office area and production assembly engine area.Improvement for this case are making isolation barrier as noise reduction form between office and production area. The result is noise decreased to 58.3 dBA and its accordance with the TLV and worker allowed to work for 8 hours. Conclusion.

Redesign office station with Isolation barrier can be done and is quite effective as noise reduction for work environment with noise hazard above threshold value.

Keywords: hazard, noise, threshold value, assembly

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1. INTRODUCTION

During the last 20 years, manufacturers of machine tools have developed new technical solutions, such as high-speed machine tools, or increased of mechanization, leading to great productivity improvements and reduction of labour costs. Machines and tools was used to support the production process have the potential effect to cause noise. Noise is the unwanted sound that interfere and endanger health. In recent years, environment impact has become an additional challenge . An additional challenge is to limit the Occupational Health and Safety problems (OHS) impact of manufacturing plants on operators. Among the aggressions undergone by operators in a engine Assembly area, noise is a critical hazard since it affects them daily without any obvious short-term impact on hearing

The general effect of noise on the hearing of workers has been debate among issue for a number of years. Noise-induced hearing loss is the most general effect of noise.

Noise-induced hearing loss is second most common form of sensorineural hearing deficit, after prescbycusis (age-related hearing loss). Hearing forces caused by any sound have an impact on the stereocilia of the hair cells of the basilar membrane of the cochlea; when excessive, these forces can cause cell death. Avoiding noise exposure stops further progression of the damage. Noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented by avoiding excessive noise and using Hearing Protection Devices (HPD) such as earplugs and earmuffs.

OSHA has define standard common source of noise and mandates that employers provide hearing conservation programs for their employees in workplaces where noise levels equal or exceed 85 dB(A) for an eight-hour time-weighted average.

An occupational hearing conservation program includes engineering and administrative controls to reduce noise exposures, employee training in the use of hearing protection and annual audiometry for all workers who are exposed to noise.

The Indonesian Regulation (Permenakertrans No. 13 Tahun 2011) indicates daily noise exposure levels for 8 working hours: (i) below 85 dBA, no protection is recommended, (ii) over 85 dBA, protection is necessary and the company must initiate a program to reduce noise emission. Between 80 and 85 dBA, the company must offer

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individual protection to the operators and to test their hearing capacity annually. The critical daily noise exposure level of 85 dBA is often exceeded in the manufacturing industry [1,3].

As a consequence, technological advancements are needed to reduce the noise intensity in the office engine assembly area so that within the limits of the allowed threshold value.

2. METHODS

This research was experimental with cross sectional study design. Step tof this research is assessing the noise-level or sound pressure level in engine assembly area, and exposure of noise received by workers, evaluate and control the noise levels workers are exposed to facilitate a mitigation of the high dose of noise that constitute not only a potential risk to hearing. And the experimental of this research is reduce the noise intensity in the office engine assembly area.

3. RESULTS

To assess the exposure of noise received by workers directly in the Engine Assembly Office area. Measurements were made for 2 days on the workers in the Engine Assembly Office area, measurements using the dosemeter noise tool ± 8 working hours in accordance with actual working hours in the Office area. Measurement of exposure of noise to workers is done for 2 days in the Engine Assembly Office area with time every day 8 hours according to working hours. Obtained results Leq / Lavq 93,3 dBA.

Based on the results of noise dosemeter measurements on both employees have relatively high noise levels and exceed the allowed limits> 85 dBA, so it is necessary to control to reduce noise exposure on employees who work in the area.

Analysis of engine assembly area condition conducted to know what that should be control to reduce noise exposure. Some analysis No barrier for noise exposure from all off machine in engine area. And close distance between (3 meters) office area and machine in engine area. Improvement for this case are making isolation barrier as noise reduction form between office and production area.

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Reduce noise exposure on employees who work in the area in this study by redesign office area with make a bulkhead from gypsum material. After redesign office area have been done, measurement of noise exposed or sound pressure level result is noise decreased to 58.3 dBA and its accordance with the TLV and worker allowed to work for 8 hours.

4. CONCLUCIONS

As the engine assembly industry pay serious attention to noise levels, and their impact on occupational health and safety, we need to assessing the noise-level or sound pressure level in engine assembly area, and exposure of noise received by workers, evaluate and control the noise levels workers are exposed to facilitate a mitigation of the high dose of noise that constitute not only a potential risk to hearing. Redesign office station with Isolation barrier can be done and is quite effective as noise reduction for work environment with noise hazard above threshold value.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors would like to thank Manager of Occupational Health & Safety and Engine Assembly Departments PT. X for the support.

Competing interest

For this research the authors dont have any competing interest with others.

References

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