Analysis of Noise Exposure among

Employees in Industrial Environments

Utilizing the Bow Tie Approach and Data
Coverage Analysis

Abstract

Sound waves play a crucial role

in facilitating human interaction with the
surrounding environment; however, they can
also be perceived as potential contributors
to environmental pollution. Noise pollution is
widely acknowledged as a significant
contributor to the development of occupational
diseases and injuries in the
workplace. Various industries utilize equipment
, machinery, and work processes
that possess the potential to generate disruptiv
e noise. The objective of this study is to
evaluate the extent of noise exposure
encountered by workers in industrial settings
through the utilization of the bow tie
methodology and data envelopment analysis.
The motivation behind this research stems
from the complex nature of noise exposure and
the potential of data envelopment analysis
models to assess the efficiency of stations by
considering multiple inputs and outputs. A
quantitative methodology, specifically a cross-
sectional descriptive research design, was
utilized in this study. Ten
stations situated within an industrial area of a
company were investigated as a case study in
the year
2023. The methodology developed by Papioni
was utilized to establish the correlation
between sound exposure and its
corresponding effects. Sound exposure
measurements were gathered, and a
mathematical model was developed based on
an input-oriented BCC envelope. This
model was constructed using the data
envelopment analysis methodology, with the
assistance of EMS software. The model takes
the "equivalent sound level" as its input and
generates an output that represents the "noise
pollution situation".
The findings revealed variations in the levels of
efficiency among the 10 stations, with station
7 demonstrating a higher level of
performance compared to the other stations. In
the industrial region under investigation, it
was determined that 30% of the measuring
stations were located within the
hazardous zone. Additionally, the average
sound pressure level was estimated to be
70.101
decibels. Organizations possess the potential t
o enhance the occupational health of their
employees by ensuring that their
activities adhere to acceptable limits of noise
exposure. The efficacy of stations plays a
crucial role in minimizing exposure
and enhancing occupational health.

Noise exposure in industrial environments

has garnered significant attention in
recent scholarly investigations. One approach
that has garnered considerable attention in
recent years is the bow tie approach,
which seeks to analyze and mitigate the risks
associated with noise
exposure. Additionally, the utilization of data
envelopment analysis has
been employed to evaluate the efficiency and
effectiveness of noise control measures
in such environments. The objective of
this study is to investigate the utilization of the
bow tie approach and data envelopment
analysis for the assessment and control
of noise exposure in industrial environments.

Keywords

Acoustic exposure, industrial environment, bow

tie approach, data envelopment analysis.