Avaliação do ruído ocupacional em operadores de Feller-Buncher no Sudoeste do Maranhão

Abstract

Among all stages of wood production, forest harvesting is also the one that most experiences the mechanization process, with companies employing large and high-tech machines. However, during the operation of these machines acoustic vibrations are generated and transmitted, and when they occur at unwanted levels and for longer than tolerable periods of exposure, they may cause health problems to exposed workers. In this context, the present work aimed to quantify the noise level at which feller buncher operators, machines for forest harvesting, are exposed, being developed in a pulp company located in the city of Estreito state of Maranhão. For noise quantification, the 01dB dosimeter, Wed 007 model was used, following the methodology established by Occupational Hygiene Standard 01 (NHO-01) and the results obtained were submitted to the framework of Annex I of Regulatory Standard 15 (NR-15) which deals with unhealthy activities and operations with exposure to physical noise agent. The occupational agent noise assessment pointed to a level equivalent to 65.3 dB (A), for a workday of 8 hours per day. It was concluded that the feller buncher forest machine presented noise levels within the limit allowed by the current legislation, not representing risks of development of occupational diseases in its operators caused by this physical agent.