VIBRO-ACOUSTIC ASSESSMENT OF GRAIN GRINDING MACHINE FOR HEALTH RISK FACTORS ANALYSIS

Abstract

Grinding machines is one of the outcomes of the agricultural sector work process mechanization aimed at reducing tedium and drudgery on the workers and improving overall productivity and production. However, the machinery drive component and mechanical energy are associated with noise and vibration, thereby inducing safety and health concerns for the operators. This study assessed and compared the vibro-acoustic characteristics caused by three different types of grinding machines; electric motor (3HP220V2800HD), diesel (R175A) and petrol (GX160) power drive engines used in grinding shops located in Wadata, Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State in association with the risk factors to the work environment. The instrumentation design for the grinding machine operations vibro-acoustic characterization was a sound level meter (S844+), a vibrometer (VM-6360), a digital stopwatch (PC-396) and retractable measuring tape (B300-AG). The noise measurements were made at an average seating height of 1.5 m in the operator’s work position and the vibrations on the seat surface of the operator. The data obtained were analyzed for noise and vibration occupational risk exposure following the ISO 9612 for acoustics guidelines and ISO 2372 for mechanical vibration and shock. The average mean values for the noise level and vibrations were statistically highest when the diesel power drive engine, followed by the petrol engine, while the electric motor had the least vibro-acoustic effect. In addition, the analysis of the variance test showed that the result obtained for the vibration and noise levels for the three categories of power source drive had p-values less than 0.05, indicating that they are significantly different from zero at a confidence level of 95%. The findings of this study mandated that all operators of the machinery under investigation wear personal protective equipment (PPE).