Determination of physical risk factors in work environment of feed mills and evaluation of occupational health

Abstract

The physical risk factors are important for the health and safety of employees, but were not determined up to date. The objective of this study was to ergonomically evaluate the exposure of workers to the physical risk factors (noise, particulate matter (PM), lighting, air temperature, relative humidity, air velocity) in feed mills. The research was carried out in the storage, dosage, and packaging departments of three different feed mills. Noise values were measured with noise meter and PM concentration with a personal sampler using gravimetric method. Lighting, air temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity values were determined using a multi-function measuring device. It was determined that the measured noise exceeded the upper exposure action value (85 dBA) and was very close to the limit value (87 dBA), PM10 concentration in storage sections exceeded the recommended limit value (10 mg m(-3)), lighting in dosage and packaging sections was below the limit values (1000 lux) in the three departments of the enterprises. Temperature was higher than the recommended values in all departments and also humidity and air velocity values were determined to be insufficient.