ASSESSMENT OF VIBRATION AND NOISE LEVELS GENERATED IN THE STEPS INVOLVED IN THE MECHANIZED RICE PROCESSING OPERATIONS

Year 2024, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 1 - 13, 31.03.2024

Adinife Azodo

Abstract

The mechanization of rice processing operations to improve quality and quantity uses machines that emit noise and vibration, the intensity of which can be determined by measuring devices for a safe working environment. In this study, the mechanized processing operations in a rice processing plant were assessed in terms of noise and vibration generated at selected production points and the possibility of worker induction of noise and vibration generated in the rice factory. The data obtained for this study was through the instrumentation of a tape measure, stopwatch (Model XL-013), sound level meter (SLM-25) and vibration meter (WT 63A) from the seven mechanized operations in the rice plant is, including cleaning, steaming, drying, milling, separating, de-stoning and polishing. The results showed that the steaming processing operation has the highest idle (85.2 ± 0.15 dBA) and production (88.5 ± 0.92 dBA) noise level. Milling has the lowest idle noise level (76.20 ± 0.17 dBA), while polishing has the lowest production noise level with a value of 78.53 ± 0.36 dBA. Steaming process operation generated the highest vibration level (6.13 ± 0.10 (m/s²)), while the lowest was milling (2.40 ± 0.24 (m/s²)). An analysis of variance test used to compare the noise and vibration of the mechanized processing operations in a rice processing plant showed that the emitted noise and vibration levels were attributes of the machine and the process involved, and differed significantly (p < 0.05). The results showed that workers are at risk as the measured noise and vibration levels exceeded the allowable limit. Safety measures such as reducing workers' working hours and using personal protective equipment are encouraged.

Keywords

vibration, rice processing operations, noise levels, rice processing plant, mechanized

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