THE MEASUREMENT OF SOUND LEVELS IN THE WASHING DEPARTMENT AT A JEANS DYEING FACTORY IN SAMUT SAKHON PROVINCE

Abstract

This study aims to 1) measure the sound levels in the washing department at a jeans dyeing factory; 2) explore the level of knowledge about the danger of loud sounds at work; and 3) find a protection guideline for exposure to loud sounds in the washing department in the jeans dyeing area. The researchers collected data by measuring the sound levels in the washing department at a jeans dyeing factory using Model NL-42 of the Rion sound meter.
The results showed that the sound level in the area of the washing department passed the criteria required by law (<85 decibel (A)), with the average sound level at 82.2 decibel (A) according to the 2016 A.D. standards of ministerial regulations for management and performance safety, occupational health and working environment with heat, lighting and sound. For the training to provide knowledge of the danger from loud sounds caused by work, the results showed that the staff’s knowledge of the danger from loud sounds caused by work averaged at 6.08 before the training and at 10.07 after the training, which was at a good level. In finding a protection guideline for the exposure to loud sounds, the researchers recommended the work safety officers to monitor the use of personal protective equipment in the Washing Department area and to show a sign to warn the staff to use personal protective equipment in the loud sound area.