Strategic Noise Mapping Prediction for a Rubber Manufacturing Factory in Malaysia

Abstract

Rubber product manufacturing industry was found with severe occupational noise exposure problems due to improper noise management and lack of reliable noise information at the workplace. Strategic noise mapping provides important information in monitoring the occupational noise. Therefore, a case study was conducted to investigate the current noise exposure circumstances based on the information from the noise map and noise risk zones. The stochastic noise mapping simulation method was applied to predict these maps. Based on the results, most of the regions in the operation area were bounded with a noise contour level of 80 dBA and some small regions were exceeded the noise level of 100 dBA. More than 45 % of mapping area was categorised as extremely high risk and high risk zones. Workers are exposed to the high noise level in this workplace. The management should take immediate action for controlling noise and always supervise their workers in using the hearing protection equipment.

Preparation of Industrial Noise Mapping and Improvement of Environmental Quality

“…Prabu et al [ 77 ] stated that an ear protector is used to reduce the effect of ambient sound on the auditory system and mentioned two different types of ear protectors, which are earplugs and earmuffs. Lim et al [ 30 ] stated that workers were used earplugs in the rubber factory but it is not only enough to provide requirements. Also, barrier usage was suggested to improve the interior of the rubber factory environment quality.…”

“…Tomozeı et al [ 29 ] examined the noise sources in the textile factory and showed sewing machines, embroidery machines, automatic cutting machines, and winding machines as noise sources in the factory. Lim et al [ 30 ] stated in their research that pressing, molding, curing, cutting, and packaging productions were carried out in the examined rubber production process of the rubber production factory in Malaysia. Bozkurt and Demirkale [ 7 ] examined the metal production facilities in Istanbul.…”

Vehicular Noise Pollution: Its Environmental Implications and Strategic Control

“…Sealing of the machinery by using rubber is also used to minimize the vibrations and noise of the machinery in some industries [122]. Glass industry is among the loudest noise producing industries and the workers in these industries are advised to use hearing protection equipment like ear plug or mufflers [123].…”

Ergonomic Rationalization Sequence of Digital Lighting Design in the Working Environment

“…The use of simulation tools is appearing more and more often in the assessment of physical factors, in conjunction with the assessment of emerging risks in the workplace. Predicting and evaluating noise, as one of the major environmental factors, through the use of software support is a highly topical issue, which can be confirmed by the contributions in [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], which deal primarily with mapping, simulation, and assessment of the impact of noise on workers. In addition to assessing noise as a physical factor in the work environment, simulation tools are used to assess thermal well-being at workplaces, as reported in [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”