Assessment of Noise Exposure Among Workers in Highway Tunnels Constructed by Conventional Method

Noise is defined as unwanted, unpleasant, disturbing sound. besides affecting the hearing function and the other body functions adversely, it prevents verbal communication and the perception of hazardous warnings. therefore, it is important to determine the noise levels at work both for the occupational health and safety and performance of the employees.in the scope of this study, it was aimed to find out if the noise levels, measured during different operational activities of the construction of altan ayağ tunnel located in kemer, antalya, were within the permitted limits in the regulation. thus, noise sources were determined and noise levels were measured along the tunnel route. the data obtained from noise level measurements were evaluated separately for different types of rock units in which tunnelling was performed. as a result of the noise measurements, the maximum exposure value was identified as 110.9 db(a) in the shotcrete application, the lowest exposure value was identified as 79.4 db(a) in the excavation process and 79.4 db(a) in the rock bolt injection process. it was determined that the workers in the excavation, shotcrete and drilling operations were exposed to noise above the exposure limit value. workers in the earth moving, mesh reinforcement and rock bolt injection processes were exposed to noise below 80 db(a), which is the minimum exposure action value, while those working in the steel timbering application were exposed to noise above this value. it was suggested that, warning lamps should be used in company with earmuffs as a precaution against noise in operational activities where exposure limit value is exceeded.