Occupational exposure of workers to noise in a carpentry
Abstract Background Currently, we can find a more industrialized and developed society that has contributed to the large-scale expansion of sound levels. Noise is already identified as one of the main risk factors for the health of workers, due to the high frequency of workers daily exposed and risky professional activities. In this sense, it is necessary to carry out assessments of occupational noise in order to understand whether or not workers' exposure is within the limit values and what preventive measures to adopt. Methods The present study had as main objective to evaluate the occupational exposure to noise of the workers of a carpentry, located in a municipality in the Center of Portugal, and to understand its influence on their health. Measurements were performed using two devices, a Cesva dosimeter, model DC 112 and a Cesva model SC420 sound level meter. Results The results obtained demonstrated the existence of noise in some of the evaluated workstations and also the existence of some workers exposed to high levels of noise. It was also possible to observe that although all workers have hearing protection, it is not always effective. Conclusions We conclude that carpentry is a noise-producing work environment, and with the help of appropriate collective and/or individual protective equipment, it is possible to mitigate this exposure to noise, either by workers or by machines/equipment, ensuring thus the safety and health of workers.