Abstract
The chemical manufacturing industry employs sophisticated mechanical equipment to process feedstock such as natural gas by transforming it to usable raw material in downstream sectors. Workers employed at these facilities are exposed to inherent occupational health hazards, including occupational noise. An online and grey literature search on ScienceDirect, Oxford Journals online, PubMed, Medline, Jstor and regulatory bodies using specific keywords on noise emission sources in the manufacturing sector was conducted. This review focuses on noise sources and their control in chemical manufacturing plants along with the receptors of the emitted noise, providing hearing conservation programme stakeholders valuable information for better programme management. Literature confirms that chemical manufacturing plants operate noise emitting equipment which exposes job categories such as machine operators, process operators and maintenance personnel amongst others. Prominent noise sources in chemicals manufacturing industries include compressors, pumps, motors, fans, turbines, vents, steam leaks and control valves. Specific industries within the chemical manufacturing sector emit noise levels ranging between 85–115 dBA (A-weighted sound pressure level), which exceed the noise rating limit of 85 dBA used in South Africa and United Kingdom, as well as the 90 dBA permissible exposure level used in the United States, levels above which workplace control is required. Engineering noise control solutions for plant equipment and machinery operated in chemical manufacturing plants are available on the market for implementation.
Highlights
The manufacturing sector inclusive of chemical manufacturing transforms materials, chemicals and components to value-added consumer and commercial goods using power-driven and material-handling machinery in installations commonly referred as plants, factories or mills [1,2].Chemical manufacturing plants use natural gas or refinery by-products such as ethylene, hydrogen rich gas, tail gas and many more as feedstock to produce chemical products and many consumer goods in downstream chemical processes [3,4]
This review provides an appraisal of prominent noise sources and control, noise levels and exposure groups in chemical manufacturing plants
Classical handbooks on noise returned literature results closer to the search criteria for this review whilst Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (Health hazard evaluations) and the US EPA were identified as bodies having noise level records from various industries [5,17,18]
Summary
The manufacturing sector inclusive of chemical manufacturing transforms materials, chemicals and components to value-added consumer and commercial goods using power-driven and material-handling machinery in installations commonly referred as plants, factories or mills [1,2]. Chemical manufacturing plants use natural gas or refinery by-products such as ethylene, hydrogen rich gas, tail gas and many more as feedstock to produce chemical products and many consumer goods in downstream chemical processes [3,4]. Noise exposure in the manufacturing sector inclusive of the chemical manufacturing plants is widespread and amongst the loudest [5]. Cited reasons for the noise problem in existing installations include the inadequate knowledge of its mechanism of generation and abatement, lack of proper consideration during plant design phase and installation [6]. The noise sources operating in chemical manufacturing plants emits noise through acoustical radiation and aerodynamic turbulence [7,8].
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