Olive oil mills acoustic levels during a continuous processing

The legislative decree 195/2006 has implemented the European Directive 2003/10/CE about noise exposure of workers and it has introduced a series of articles defining health and safety standards. The sector of wood processing is one of the most concerned by such a problem; in particular, the highest number of recognized cases of hypoacusia and deafness occur in furniture factories. As a result, a study was carried out on the acoustic levels in some Calabrian secondary wood industries manufacturing predominantly chairs, but also tables and other wood furniture. The acoustic survey was carried out under full and normal operating conditions of the industries; after evaluating the residence times of workers in their work station, the level of daily personal exposure was estimated. The examined industries do not always comply with the ergonomics and safety standards established by law for an acoustic comfort meeting workers’ needs. Such interventions take into account the change of the lay-out of the production cycle, the reduction of acoustic emissions directly at their sources, an effective organization of work and a greater awareness towards the use of personal protection devices.