Temporal and Spatial Analysis of the Occupational Noise at Rice Mill in Kedah

Abstract

Noise or unwanted sound, is considered as occupational pollution, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance to human and surroundings. Occupational noise is a noise emitted from various industries that effect the workers' safety and health. A prolonged exposure towards noise can bring negative effects to the receptor, resulting in noise induce hearing loss (NIHL) diseases. The state of Kedah is known as the rice bowl of Malaysia, producing more than half of the country's home grown rice supply. Majority of the rice mill is situated in Kedah where the major occupational hazard for the workers is noise during the operation of various machines to convert paddy to rice. The aim of this study is to assess the noise risk assessment in the rice mill. The noise level was measured during working hours of 0900hrs - 1800hrs for three consecutive days using sound level meter. The evaluated daily noise level Leq, did not exceeded the limit enacted by the Occupational Safety and Health (Noise Exposure) Regulation, 2019 but there were occasions the reading surpassed the limit, ranging from 86.5 dBA to 90.3 dBA. Measurement of noise exposure at 1-meter distance for machineries located in the rice mill was also conducted and the most critical location in the rice mill is the Rice Huller machine.. Noise sources from the machinery shows strong negative correlation with noise level (r = -0.97, p<0.05) (Air Blower), (r = -0.94, p<0.05) (Rice sieving), (r = -0.98, p<0.05) (Air Pump), (r = -0.95, p<0.05) (Rice Huller) and (r = -0.95, p<0.05) (Rice Polisher), correspondingly. The findings from this study is important for the company management team as abatement measures for the employees in providing a more conducive working environment and indirectly increases the productivity of the company.