1.Analyzing the sound pressure level and spectrum characteristics of noise in the workplace of wooden furniture enterprises
Shaozhou FU ; Bin XIAO ; Keping LIU ; Yongfang DENG ; Wenna PAN ; Yiping HUANG
China Occupational Medicine 2023;50(5):497-501
{L-End}Objective To analyze sound pressure level and spectrum characteristics of noise from various equipment in noise-related worksites in wooden furniture enterprises in Zhongshan City. {L-End}Methods A total of 107 wooden furniture enterprises with equipment sound pressure levels ≥85.0 dB(A) were selected as the research subjects using the judgment sampling method. Individual noise meters were used to detect the sound level and spectrum of equipment in noise-related worksites. Cluster analysis was used to analyze the noise spectrum characteristics of each noise equipment. {L-End}Results The incidence of sound pressure level exceeding the national standard of occupational exposure limits for noise in workplace among the research subjects was 60.4% (365/604). The equipment with the highest sound pressure level was the sliding table saw (rough shape cutting position) at 101.4 dB(A), while the lowest was the sanding machine (grinding position) at 85.0 dB(A). The clustering analysis results showed that the noise spectrum characteristics of nail guns, sliding table saw, edge banders, spray guns, and drilling machines were similar, with the highest sound pressure level of 4 000.0 Hz, mainly concentrating in the high-frequency. The noise spectrum characteristics of punching machines, sanding machine, lathes, and engraving machines were similar, with the highest sound pressure level ranging from 500.0 to 1 000.0 Hz, mainly concentrating in the mid-frequency. The noise spectrum characteristics of drilling machines, planers, hot press machines, and mortise and tenon machines were similar, with the highest sound pressure level ranging from 500.0 to 1 000.0 Hz, mainly concentrating in the mid- and high-frequency. The sound pressure level of the mixer reached its peak at 8 000.0 Hz, demonstrating a wide frequency domain characteristic of sound pressure level with the presence of low-, mid- and high-frequencies. {L-End}Conclusion The noise-exposed hazards of wooden furniture enterprises are relatively serious, and the spectral characteristics of the equipment with noise are distinct. It is recommended to implement targeted noise reduction measures and personal hearing protection based on the specific spectrum characteristics of equipment noise.