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JOURNAL OF INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING
EVALUATION AND CONTROL OF NOISE HAZARDS
IN TEXTILE MILLS
MALU DEVADASAN
M.E.-sem IV (Environmental Management), L. D. College of Engg., Ahmedabad,
Gujarat.
[email protected]
ABSTRACT— Noise has become an integral part of our day to day life. Introduction of more and more
mechanization, powerful equipment is expected to increase more noise problems thereby inducing noise
doses with associated physiological and psychological problems to the exposed populations. Repeated or
prolonged exposure to excessive noise levels will lead to hearing impairment. Development of modern
automated machines in textile industries has considerably decreased the physical burden of work on workers
but one of the most undesirable and unavoidable product of these machines are noise pollution. The main
objective of this paper is to assess noise levels in a Textile plant and to recommend control measures to reduce
the risk of exposure on the employees. The study being reported here has been carried out in a Textile plant
located in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat state. Equivalent sound pressure level Leq has been measured in various
sections of these plants with the help of a Class-II type digital sound level meter. A questionnaire has been
completed on 60 workers, randomly selected who were exposed to different levels of occupational noise. The
results of the study establish the fact that noise level in certain sections of the plants i.e. Loom Shed, Ring
Frame, Speed Frame and TFO area was more than the acceptable limit of 90 dB(A) for 8 hour exposure
stipulated by OSHA. The noise level in other sections like carding, blow room, combing etc., although was less
than 90 dB(A) , but was quite higher than limits used for assessment of noise for community response. Control
measures starting at the source i.e. regarding modifications in the spinning and other noise causing machinery,
to path and receiver end are been discussed here.
Keywords— Evaluation, Control, Noise Hazards, Textile Mills
clatter of gears, high speed whine of twisting and
spinning machinery and impact noise of looms have
I.
INTRODUCTION
long been regarded as necessary evils of the trade.
Sound is a useful communication or pleasant sounds
Most of the machinery in use today is more or less
viz. music, speech while noise is a discord or
unchanged from the design of three decades ago.
unpleasant sound. Noise that is defined as unwanted
The only significant difference today is that these
sound has been a source of discontent ever since
machines now run at very high speeds. The ring
people began living together. The modern life of
sheds of the spinning mills and loom sheds of
many types of industrial noise, high volumes of
weaving are the noisiest departments. As might be
musical sound, noise due to vehicles and transports
anticipated, this trend towards greater speeds has
and addition of constant noise in environment from
resulted in higher noise levels, often exceeding 100
variety of sources have generated a Noise Pollution.
dBA in some operations. Despite the fact that
Noise is one of the most common occupational health
spinners and weavers have been found to have
hazards. In heavy industrial and manufacturing
significantly greater hearing loss than a controlled
environments, permanent hearing loss is the main
unexposed population, little progress has been made
health concern. Annoyance, stress and interference
in reducing noise in textile industries.
with speech communication are the main concern in
A number of studies have been carried out in last few
noisy environments. So far as textile industry is
decades to evaluate the occupational environment in
concerned, the noise pollution is not new. The
textile industries. Most of the studies have been
introduction of mechanization has undoubtedly
carried out in developed countries, whereas a large
accentuated the noise problem. Development of
proportion of textile industries over the world are
modern automated machines in textile industries has
located in developing countries like India.
considerably decreased the physical burden of work
B.
Effects of noise on human health
on workers but one of the most undesirable and
The effect of noise will depend upon how long we
unavoidable product of these machines are noise
are exposed to a sound, the loudness of the sound,
pollution.
and the ability of our body to recover after that
A.
Noise in Textile industries
exposure.
High noise levels have been traditionally taken for

Temporary threshold shift
granted in Textile Industries. The noise because of
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JOURNAL OF INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Temporary threshold shift (TTS) is a temporary loss

The danger limit value shall be 90-dB (A)
of hearing. If we are exposed to a very noisy job, by
above which the danger of hearing impairment and
the end of the shift we may have noticed a loss of
deafness may result from an unprotected ear.
hearing sensitivity. The greatest portion of temporary

A worker should not be allowed to enter,
hearing loss occurs within the first two hours of
without appropriate ear protection, an area in which
exposure.
the noise level is 115-dB (A) or more.

Permanent threshold shift

Personal protective equipment shall be worn,
Permanent threshold shift is a permanent hearing loss
if there are single isolated outbursts of noise, which
that is very similar to the pattern of temporary
can go above 130-dB (A) "Impulse", or 120-dB (A)
hearing loss, except that we do not recover.
"Fast". ¨ No worker shall be allowed to enter an area

Tinnitus
where noise level exceeds 140-dB (A).
Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears, similar to highTABLE 1
pitched background squealing with TVs and
THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES (TLV) FOR NOISE
Computers. It may accompany temporary and
(OSHA)
permanent hearing loss.
Sound Pressure Level Duration of Exposure

Presbycusis
(dBA)
(Hrs)
Presbycusis is a hearing loss as a result of aging. Its
85
8
onset and the amount of damage vary among people.
90
4
It usually begins around age 50. It can be accelerated
95
2
by noise exposure.
100
1

Non-Auditory Effects
105
0.5
Noise can affect more than just our hearing such as:
110
0.25

Cardiovascular and physiological problems.

Sleep disorders and headache
II.
FIELD
STUDY
AND
DATA

Mental fatigue & stress
COLLECTION

Annoyance, speech interference and reduced
The study reported here has been carried out at the
alertness, compared to those working in a relatively
Textile plant located in the Ahmedabad city of
quiet room (60-75 dBA)
Gujarat state. The plant involved in this study employ

Increased blood pressure, deep body
approximately 2500 workers. Estimates of noise
temperature and pulse rate.
levels were determined in all the work areas of both

Speed of performance was impaired
the plants using a Lutron SL-4013, Type-II digital
significantly by noise
sound level meter. A cross- sectional study has been

Loss of working efficiency.
conducted involving 60 workers, randomly selected
C.
Directive for noise control
and working in various locations of both the plants.
In order to limit high level occupational noise,
Workers were interviewed personally to study the
maximum permissible occupational noise exposure
presence of subjective noise annoyance, and other
limit in the range of 85–90 dB(A) Leq for 8 h/d (40
factors i.e. awareness about effects of noise, use of
h/wk) has been allowed by the International
hearing protection devices etc.
Standards Organisation (ISO), EEC and other
A.
Evaluation of Sound Level and Daily
developed countries. United Kingdom, Belgium,
Exposure
Italy, Canada, France and Denmark allow 90 dB(A)
Measurement of sound level at all the sites has been
Leq Japan Sweden, Germany, Norway allow 85
done by using Lutron SL-4013, digital sound level
dB(A) Leq. These limits are allowed for halving rates
meter of Class-II accuracy. The SLM was calibrated
of 3 dB(A) and working schedules of 8 h/d. OSHA
before start of study. The measurement of sound
(USA) allows 90 dB(A) for 8 h/d with halving rate of
pressure has been done to determine A-weighted
5 dB(A). The TLV of noise given by OSHA are
sound pressure level.
shown in Table 1.
Results of the noise measurement show that overall
In India, model rules under Indian Factories Act—
noise levels and exposure to noise in the textile plant
1948 stipulate a limit of 90 dB(A) for 8 h exposure.
included in this study ranged between 80-102 dB(A)
But due consideration shall be given to the fact that
Leq. The details of the Leq values of noise to which
most of the plants in India operate 6 d in a week and
workers were exposed in various work areas is shown
total noise exposure per week is therefore 48 h.
in Table 2 Figure 1 shows mean noise levels i.e. Leq,
Schedule 3 u/r 102 of the Gujarat Factories Rules
Minimum and Maximum SPL at different machines.
defines high noise as 90 dBA or more.
The daily noise exposure of workers in areas like
DGMS Circular No.18 (Tech), 1975 A warning limit
loom shed, ring frame, speed frame, TFO (Two for
of 85-dB (A) may be set as the level below which
one twister), winding etc. exceeds the maximum
very little risk to an unprotected ear of hearing
exposure limit of 90 db(A), specified by OSHA. The
impairment exists for an eight-hour exposure.
noise exposure in other work areas like blow room,
combing etc. was recorded less than 90 dB(A), but
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JOURNAL OF INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING
was quite higher than limits used for assessment of
noise for community response. The direct application
of OSHA regulations in Indian plants is also not valid;
as most of the plants operate 8h/day and 6d/week i.e.
exposure time is 48h/wk, which is 20% higher than
the exposure time per week in USA or European
countries.
TABLE 2
EQUIVALENT SPL AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS OF
TEXTILE MILL
Department
Work area
Machine
Shirting
division
Spinning
Blow
room
3 line
Carding
21
83.6
Comber
15
88.7
14
84.9
12
94.1
33
97.4
19
101.1
3
95.2
10
93.3
3
91.9
2
92.4
TFO
Assembl
e
winding
Random
winding
Singenin
g
Rewindi
ng
Knitting
division
Leq
dBA
8
Draw
frame
Speed
frame
Ring
frame
Weaving
Work
ers
Winding
21
Looms
158
Knitting
machine
77
Winding
9
Looms
110
270
357
83.5
95.3
102.1
309
90.1
89.8
Bottom
weight
Weaving
141
100.1
Fig 1: Mean noise levels at different machines
B.
Subjective response to noise
The questionnaire given in Table 3 has been applied
to 60 workers randomly selected working in different
workplaces of the Textile mill. Noise has been
reported as a major factor causing speech interference
by 71% of workers. The awareness amongst the
workers, regarding the effects of exposure to high
noise levels was minimal i.e.28%. This factor is very
closely related to use of hearing protection devices or
personal protective equipments (PPE), which were
being used by only 27% workers. The noise was
considered an annoyance by 45% of the workers. The
20% of workers also complained of headache. The
overall satisfaction with the working environment,
speech interference, annoyance and headache during
working hours reported by workers was directly
related to noise levels in the work area given in figure
2.
TABLE 3
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PERSONAL INTERVIEW
1.
Do you use hearing Protection Devices
(PPE)?
A: Yes
B: No
2.
Does speech causes speech Interference?
A: Yes
B: No
3.
Are you aware about effects of excessive
noise exposure?
A: Yes
B: No
4.
Are you annoyed by noise in the working
environment?
A: Yes
B: No
5.
Do you frequently have headache during
working hours?
A: Yes
B: No
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JOURNAL OF INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING
pyramidal or rectangular in shape. They use
fiberglass as packing material.
For controlling noise of spinning machine one of the
efficient ways, due to the theoretical predictions of
barriers, is to place a partial noise barrier as nearest to
the source as possible as shown in figure 3. Thus the
barrier should be closely faced to the operation point
of the machine [11].
Fig 2: Results of interview questions
III.
NOISE CONTROL MEASURES
Noise-induced hearing loss is, at present, incurable
and irreversible, however, it is definitely preventable;
therefore the implementation of adequate preventive
programs is essential. Control methods should be
aimed at:
Fig 3: Placement of barrier in front of sources plus its

Controlling noise at sources
dimensions

Precluding the propagation, amplification
and reverberation of noise (path)
C.
Control at the receiver end[1]

Isolating the workers(receivers)
Hearing protection is not an acceptable alternative to
A.
Control at the source
noise control – but there are circumstances where this
Noise in spinning section can be reduced by
is likely to be the only option. This is the last resort to
providing elastomeric spindle mounts, elastomeric
protect the ear, if other methods of control are not
ring holders, proper maintenance and lubrication of
possible or feasible or economical. Ear plugs and ear
gears etc. The highest noise levels have been found in
muffs can be used as Personal Protective Equipment
loom shed. Replacement of parts with resilient
(PPE). If a limited number of workers or people are
materials instead of metal can provide reduction in
involved this may be sometime be an attractive and
impulse noise of looms. Attempts shall be made to
economic approach (to protect one worker working
produce complete acoustic enclosures around the
with large noisy machine).
looms. Sound reducing housings should be provided IV.
CONCLUSION
in twisters, spinning frames or the like having a
The study has clearly demonstrated that the
plurality of spindle assemblies. It reduces undesirable
workforce in the textile plant included in this study
sound produced in the m/c and is characterized by
are at high risk of developing noise induced hearing
providing access to spindle assemblies for services
loss (NIHS) and other associated ailments due to
while also reducing noise during such servicing.
excessive occupational exposure to noise in the
spinning and weaving departments especially those
B.
Control at the path[1]
who work near looms, TFO, speed and ring frames.
High frequency sounds can be absorbed by applying
There is a need to develop and apply a well defined,
sound absorbents to ceilings and walls in the form of
comprehensive and enforceable noise regulation.
acoustical tiles, plasters and blankets of porous
materials such as glass wool. Acoustic baffles can be

The efforts shall also be made towards
hung from the ceilings. A variety of absorbent
reducing the noise generated at the source by
materials are available for an acoustic engineer in the
modifications in existing technologies.
form of vegetable or asbestos fibers, glass or mineral

There is a need to establish a hearing
wool and hard but porous plaster having less
conversation program in the plants, the components
susceptibility to physical damage, fire resistance,
of which shall include noise assessment, increasing
light reflection, aesthetic qualities etc. Application of
awareness among the workers about the adverse
acoustical material on ceiling and side walls can
effects of noise, use of hearing protection devices and
reduce 3 to 8 dB noise level and bring down the
audiometry.
general reverberate noise level to make the noise

Although less practical, wherever possible
conditions less confusing.
by application of equal energy principle, the exposure
Functional Sound Absorbers may be clustered as near
time must be decreased with increase in the Leq.
the machines as possible. These units may be
suspended and distributed in any pattern to obtain
lower noise levels within the machine shop. They are
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JOURNAL OF INFORMATION, KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would offer my sincere thanks to Prof. N. S.
Varandani (HOD) and Assit. Prof. Minarva Pandya
who helped and guided me in the making and
presenting of the report.
I am also thankful to general manager (HRD) of
textile plant for giving me permission to conduct
noise survey and all extended sorts of help.
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