Heat stress and noise exposure levels in a manufacturing plant

Qi Jie Kwong and Nursyifaasahirah Terbizi and Normaisarah Nordin and Emma Marinie Ahmad Zawawi and Azli Abd Razak and Jamalunlaili Abdullah (2023) Heat stress and noise exposure levels in a manufacturing plant. Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology (Malaysia), 31 (2). pp. 961-975. ISSN 2231-8526

This paper analyses skilled workers' heat stress and noise exposure levels at a pressure vessel manufacturing plant. Measurements were conducted at three partially enclosed workspaces of the plant where hot work and metal fabrications were conducted using a multi-function thermal environment data logger and a sound level recorder. A survey was developed to obtain the field workers’ perceptions of their immediate heat and noise environments. The findings suggested that the heat and noise conditions were generally acceptable. The calculated mean Wet-bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) indicated that there was only minimal risk of heat stress for the workers. It was also identified that the noise intensities in the sections studied were within the permissible exposure limit for an 8-hour duration specified in the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) guideline. Besides, questionnaire survey results showed that the thermal and noise conditions at the workplace were acceptable. The workers perceived their work environment as warm with sensible air movement, moderately humid, free from heat and noise-related injuries, and able to have clear conversations with their co-workers while working.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/resources/files/Pe...

Abstract

This paper analyses skilled workers' heat stress and noise exposure levels at a pressure vessel manufacturing plant. Measurements were conducted at three partially enclosed workspaces of the plant where hot work and metal fabrications were conducted using a multi-function thermal environment data logger and a sound level recorder. A survey was developed to obtain the field workers’ perceptions of their immediate heat and noise environments. The findings suggested that the heat and noise conditions were generally acceptable. The calculated mean Wet-bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) indicated that there was only minimal risk of heat stress for the workers. It was also identified that the noise intensities in the sections studied were within the permissible exposure limit for an 8-hour duration specified in the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) guideline. Besides, questionnaire survey results showed that the thermal and noise conditions at the workplace were acceptable. The workers perceived their work environment as warm with sensible air movement, moderately humid, free from heat and noise-related injuries, and able to have clear conversations with their co-workers while working.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	heat stress
AGROVOC Term:	noise
AGROVOC Term:	workers
AGROVOC Term:	factories
AGROVOC Term:	working conditions
AGROVOC Term:	research
AGROVOC Term:	measurement
AGROVOC Term:	questionnaires
AGROVOC Term:	safety at work
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Heat stress, manufacturing plant, noise exposure, Wet-bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), workplace
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	27 Jan 2025 01:45
Last Modified:	27 Jan 2025 02:31
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1903

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