Investigation of the noise exposure for the operators of brush cutter in Taiwan
Journal
40th International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering 2011, INTER-NOISE 2011
Journal Volume
5
ISBN
9781618392800
Date Issued
2011-12-01
Author(s)
Abstract
The brush cutter, a kind of hand-held power tool, is very widespread in Taiwan because the advantages of cheapness and easy operation for mowing in the field of horticulture and remove of weeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sound pressure level (SPL) radiated from the brush cutter and collected the noise exposure data of the operators by sound pressure level meter and noise dosimeter, respectively, to understand whether these machines will cause the noise-induced hearing loss of operators. Two types of brush cutter, backpack and shoulder type, and two cutting devices, monofilament line and rectangular blade, were used in this study. The SPLs of shoulder type and backpack type machines in the condition of engine idle, middle speed operation and full throttle operation were measured and showed that the maximum SPLs of shoulder type were higher than that of backpack type regardless of rotation speeds of machines. The measurements of noise dose showed that time weighted average sound level (TWA) of using rectangular blade was 3-4 dB higher than TWA of monofilament line, no matter what types of machine. With the same cutting device, TWA of the backpack type was 1-2 dB higher than that of shoulder type. More than half TWA data are greater than 85 dBA that means it is necessary to execute the hearing conservation program and wear hearing protectors during operation.
Subjects
Brush cutter | Measurement | Noise
Type
conference paper