Investigation of Noise Exposure Levels in Furniture Industry: The Impact of Enterprise Scale and Machine Operational States

The furniture industry is characterized by the intensive use of cutting, shaping, and surfacetreating machinery, which naturally generates high noise levels. This study aimed to assess noise exposure levels in furniture manufacturing facilities by examining the effects of enterprise scale, machine types, and working conditions (loaded and unloaded) on occupational health and safety (OHS). The study was conducted in a total of 30 enterprises, 10 at each enterprise scale level. Physical risk factor data for noise were recorded using on-site measurements for the machines and production lines used at each enterprise level, depending on various variables. ANOVA, T-test, and Correlation analyses were performed to determine the relationships between the variables. The results revealed that small-scale businesses were the riskiest group in terms of noise levels. Generally, although measured noise levels in workplaces remain below the highest exposure action value of 85 dB, critical levels have been detected under specific machinery and working conditions. In machine-based assessments, the critical machines exceeding the highest exposure value of 85 dB are: In small-scale businesses – planing machine (95.26 dB), circular saw (88.08 dB) and band saw (86.81 dB); in micro-scale businesses – CNC drilling machine (91.13 dB), CNC sizing machine (88.01 dB) and band saw (85.95 dB); and in medium-scale businesses – circular saw (85.24 dB). As a result of the study, it has been emphasized that long-term noise exposure poses a risk to employees’ hearing health and that preventive measures are therefore mandatory.