CHAPTER 2 – Safety informationChap. 2- 19/ 52 -2.7.5 Noise hazards typical of the wood industryThe wood processing industry is traditionally characterized by processes that create high noise exposurelevels, due to a series of concomitant factors, such as the use of tools that have an elevated noise forceconcentrated in work environments that are often tight. The work logistics typical of wood-working shops,where the interchangeability of the tasks and the variable equipment use times are standard workingconditions, do not permit calculating worker exposure to noise in a precise manner.By way of example, the noise emission values for the machine during a work cycle are provided below:material: beech elements, rough worked, average thickness 25mmmachining: milling and tenoningtools: HM hard metal milling cutter, 10mm diameterHM hard metal milling cutter, 18mm diameterMilling cutter for tenoningRough-milling cutter; 30mm diameterMeasured without the use of a dust removal system.NOISE EMISSION VALUEBackground noise 68.5 dB(A)Empty run 74.6 dB(A)Work run 78.8 dB (A)During machining, especially when the tool enters the materials, noise peaks up to 109.8 dB (A) werereached.The above-mentioned noise values are emission values and not necessarily safe working levels.While there is a correlation between emission levels and exposure levels, it may not be used reliably todetermine whether or not additional precautions are required.Factors affecting the actual worker exposure level include:• Duration of exposure,• Environment conditions,• Other noise sources, such as for example the number of machines are other machining work inthe vicinity.Furthermore, permitted exposure levels may vary from one country to another.The information provided herein is nevertheless sufficient to allow machine users to better assess risksand hazards.
