Octave band sound pressure level emitted by agricultural implements in coffee plantations

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In Brazil, certain studies have been performed on the exposure to global occupational noise levels when mechanized equipment is used in coffee-growing. However, these did not indicate the behavior within a frequency spectrum (Hz) by octave bands. The objective of this study was to assess the sound pressure levels of the brush, mower, and atomizer attached to a tractor under actual operating conditions by using 1/1 octave band filters. Quantitative assessments were performed with the mower, brush, and atomizer attached to the MF 275 tractor under two conditions: operative and static. The noise levels obtained under actual operating conditions were determined using a DOS 1000 noise dosimeter and an octave band filter. The static condition assessments were performed inside and outside the coffee plantation using a Hikari HDB 900 digital sound level meter. The NR 15 and NHO 01 standards were used to analyze the data. Under operative and static conditions, the tractor units showed noise levels above the exposure limit of 85 dB (A) for an 8h working day. The assessment of the frequency spectrum revealed the highest noise levels to be in the 125-1000 Hz range.