Noise Levels in Workplaces of Cold Rolling Mill Plant

Abstract

The excessive noise exposure is one of numerous physical hazards present in the steel industry. Considerable noise develops the steel strips rolling process. In this study are presented and discussed the noise levels at different working areas of a cold rolling mill plant. The average of annual values of noise levels is given. The annual overall values of equivalent sound levels were calculated. These are discussed in relation with the noise exposure level normalized to a normal 8 hr working day allowed by standards. The results revealed that workers at numerous roll milling plant areas are exposed to noise levels higher than 87 dB(A) 8 - hour standard. As a result, at the end of the paper some specific measures to diminish noise levels are proposed.