title: An investigation of noise levels in Alberta sawmills.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada. niels.koehncke@usask.ca
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koehncke
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Lloyd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harman
authors.forename: Patrick A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hessel
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beaulne
authors.forename: Tee
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Guidotti
mesh_terms: 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