Noise Monitoring Using Noise Contour Map in Automotive Part Industry in Thailand.

INTRODUCTION

The Production of the car suspension system generates a lot of noise pollution.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop a noise contour map in the eight departments (annealing, stud rough, pinhole, welding machine, stud burn, assembly, Q-gate, and packing) of the automotive part industry in Thailand.

METHODS

The noise levels at 653 points distributed over the production area are measured using a sound level meter. A sound level meter was used to estimate and bring the value obtained from the measurement to create a noise contour map with the Surfer program using an inverse distance weighting (IDW) multivariate interpolation algorithm.

RESULTS

The average sound level was 76.5±3.78 dBA (A-weighted sound pressure level) with a 68.4-87.9 dBA min-max. The annealing department had the highest number of points (4 points) that did not pass the standards (≤ 85 dBA), followed by the pinhole department (2 points). The problem was solved by replacing the silencer nozzle to reduce machine noise. Employees working close to the noise source must wear hearing protection; annual hearing tests are recommended.

CONCLUSION

The noise contour measurement program is feasible for use in hearing health monitoring among employees in the automotive parts industry.