An investigation of noise levels in Alberta sawmills.
BACKGROUND
Noise exposure in the sawmill industry is an area of concern. This study documents the level of noise exposure in nine sawmills in the province of Alberta, Canada.


METHODS
Personal noise monitoring data were collected in nine Alberta sawmills, in winter and in summer (n = 213). Exposures were considered in light of an estimated "real world" noise reduction rating (NRR) calculation assuming use of conventional hearing protection. Limited comparisons were made with spot area monitoring data.


RESULTS
Only 10% of the personal monitoring measurements were below the Alberta 8-hr exposure limit of 85 dBA. Twenty-seven percent of the personal monitoring measurements were 95 dBA or higher. Worker enclosures played a large role in reducing noise exposure. There were no significant differences between seasons in noise category distributions (P = 0.61). The planermen and planer infeed operators had the highest percentage of personal monitoring measurements 95 dBA or higher (62% and 82%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on a conservative formula, a risk of excess noise exposure could exist even when wearing required hearing protection due to very high noise levels found in planing operations in sawmills.
Koehncke
Niels
N
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada. niels.koehncke@usask.ca
Taylor
Maurice
M
Taylor
Chris
C
Harman
Lloyd
L
Hessel
Patrick A
PA
Beaulne
Paul
P
Guidotti
Tee
T
D000416:Alberta; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012621:Seasons; D014934:Wood