Estimation, Assessment and Effects of Workers Exposure to Physical Noxae

摘要

Physical hazards (noise and vibration) are generally present in the working environment, a large number of workers from the European Union suffering from problems caused by workplace exposure to high levels of noise or vibration. The issue concerning exposure of workers to physical hazards also affects employers from the economic point of view, generating a significant decrease in working capacity. Low efficiency caused by exhaustion and overworking, mistakes performed in various operations caused by distractions are generated by exposure to noise and/or vibration noxae. Starting from theory to practice, the paper objectively highlights, using noise and vibration measurements, the comparison of results obtained with threshold values specified by in force legislation and their implications for the health of workers. The paper also analyses the ways in which noise and vibrations generated by technological processes influence workers activity, in order to estimate the level of exposure to occupational risk factors present during usual work hours and the identification of main diseases caused by them.