Noise or unwanted sound, is considered as occupational pollution, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance to human and surroundings. Occupational noise is a noise emitted from various industries that effect the workers’ safety and health. A prolonged exposure towards noise can bring negative effects to the receptor, resulting in noise induce hearing loss (NIHL) diseases. The state of Kedah is known as the rice bowl of Malaysia, producing more than half of the country’s home grown rice supply. Majority of the rice mill is situated in Kedah where the major occupational hazard for the workers is noise during the operation of various machines to convert paddy to rice. The aim of this study is to assess the noise risk assessment in the rice mill. The noise level was measured during working hours of 0900hrs – 1800hrs for three consecutive days using sound level meter. The evaluated daily noise level Leq , did not exceeded the limit enacted by the Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Exposure) Regulation, 2019 but there were occasions the reading surpassed the limit, ranging from 86.5 dBA to 90.3 dBA. Measurement of noise exposure at 1-meter distance for machineries located in the rice mill was also conducted and the most critical location in the rice mill is the Rice Huller machine.. Noise sources from the machinery shows strong negative correlation with noise level (r = -0.97, p<0.05) (Air Blower), (r = -0.94, p<0.05) (Rice sieving), (r = -0.98, p<0.05) (Air Pump), (r = -0.95, p<0.05) (Rice Huller) and (r = -0.95, p<0.05) (Rice Polisher), correspondingly. The findings from this study is important for the company management team as abatement measures for the employees in providing a more conducive working environment and indirectly increases the productivity of the company.

This paper describes an analysis of visualizing noise impact on the environment by producing the noise mapping, determining the noise sources and characterization of sound levels measurements at USM Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal, Penang. Measurements were taken at a total of 30 points with the duration of 3 minutes during working hours using the sound level meter. The ArcMap 10.3.1 software and Google Maps were used to create the noise mapping based on the coordinates and each sampling point. The results revealed that 23 points exceeded the maximum permissible limit, 55 dB(A). The maximum measured sound level was obtained at point 4 (68.3 dB(A)), while the lowest sound level was 43.8 dB(A) at point 26. Characterization of sound levels by measuring the noise levels and performing noise mapping is substantial to analyse and determine the level of noise pollution in institutional and educational areas. In addition, such practices would help in understanding the activities that contribute to the increase in sound level.