Analysis of Noise Level Influencing Farm Tractor Operators during Forest Harvesting Operation

Year 2018, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 13 - 17, 12.06.2018

İnanç Taş , Halit Büyüksakallı Abdullah Emin Akay

Abstract

In Turkey, forest harvesting activities are
generally performed by forest villagers or small-size contractors managed by
forest villagers. Highly mechanized harvesting equipment are not very common
since they are not affordable by forest villagers or contractors. Farm tractors
are mostly used in forest harvesting operations because of relatively low
hourly equipment cost. In fact, farm tractors have been used in many stages of
forest operations including skidding, forwarding, cable yarding, and loading.
However, working environment of farm tractors is subject to intensive noise
disturbance during forest harvesting activities. Thus, tractor operators often
expose excessive noise effect which can result in hearing impairment or
permanent hearing loss. In this study, the average and peak noise levels
generated by a Türk Fiat 450 model farm tractor during forest harvesting
operation were measured. The average and peak noise levels were measured as 84.52 dBA and 105.02 dBA, respectively. To minimize the potential
hazard of noise exposed by operator, daily
working hours and resting times should be determined based on noise level and the
pieces that affect the level of the noise should be maintained and isolated
properly.  

Keywords

Forest harvesting, farm tractor, noise level, worker health and safety

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