The ergonomics as an instrument for the assessment of noise exposure in production line of a refrigerator and slaughterhouse of cattle in Presidente Prudente/SP

• Grant number: 15/10444-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2016
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Architecture and Urbanism Technology
• Principal Investigator: Carolina Lotufo Bueno Bartholomei
• Grantee: Amanda Kato Penha
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research is part of a wider project entitled "Study of the working conditions, and posture of upper limb kinematics during cutting activity of meat in a refrigerator". In this study, specifically, will be assessed the conditions of work of boning of a refrigerator in the city of Presidente Prudente - SP. The goal is to generate a diagnosis of the acoustics of the place, evaluate the knowledge that workers have about the environment that coexist daily in the fridge and their perception in noise levels to which they are exposed. Will be carried out measurements of the noise levels through the Loudness Level Meter in the specific industry quoted. The results will be compared with the interviews with individuals to analyze their knowledge about exposure to a noisy environment, and whether there are negative consequences perceived by them, due to the conditions of the room where they work. Calculations of Noise Equivalent (Leq) will be carried out in accordance with the Brazilian Technical Standard 13.369 (1995), and data will be organized through tabs, graphs, spreadsheets and statistical analysis. Excessive exposure to noise causes, in addition to hearing loss, numerous problems influencing directly the physiological condition of the worker, as well as its technical performance. It is worth mentioning that, among the main agents harmful to one's health, one of the most viewed in the workplace is noise. Despite the noise be unpleasant to people, often the same is treated as "normal", since it is a kind of invisible pollution, odorless and colorless.