title: Noise emission zones in an automobile sheet-metal pressing plant, a 25-year follow-up study at three locations in the plant.
abstract: The Volvo plant at Olofström, Sweden is engaged in the pressing and assembling of sheet-metal components for automobiles. During the past 25 years, determined efforts have been made to introduce less noisy methods of production and to limit the levels of noise emission in three large workshops at the plant. Noise levels were mapped with the aid of stationary noise measurements. The results are expressed in terms of noise emission zones and presented as noise contour maps. The investigations were made on four occasions between 1967 and 1991. Following the comparative area calculations of the noise emission zones, it was deduced that the noise levels had been significantly reduced, despite an increased production. The results show that noise reduction measures applied to the presses. An increase in automation in sheet-metal handling, improved quality in the pressing of components and changes in the range of products have contributed to the reduction of noise levels at the plant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Lund, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brühl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davidsson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ivarsson
mesh_terms: D001336:Automobiles; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008669:Metallurgy; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013548:Sweden