Emission of airborne noise and hazard for the hearing of the operators of irrigation pumps powered by Diesel engines

In southern Piedmont, in Italy, farmers use self-constructed machinery for irrigation. These machines do not incorporate measures into the design to reduce noise emissions that can damage the hearing of workers at their working place, therefore farmers have to provide the risk analysis of the machines. For this purpose the noise level has to be ascertained. The noise at the working place, determined assessing a daily personal noise exposure, LEP,d, and actions the employer has to adopt to reduce the risks resulting from exposure to noise, are ruled by specific legislation. In 75% of 160 irrigation machines inspected the noise emission at the working place was higher than 92 dB(A). The LEP,d calculated is lower because the exposure time is short. In 3% of the irrigation machines the LEP,d is higher than 90 dB(A) and workers have to wear personal ear protectors. In 20% of the machines the LEP,d at the working place is between 85 and 89.9 dB(A), so ear protection devices must be available to workers. The use of earmuffs is recommended for the most severe conditions. In other situations the wear of earplugs and ear canal caps are suggested, even if not mandatory.