Ruído emitido por separador de espiral: mensuração, convivência e requisitos de atenuação

Abstract

Among the various occupational hazards in the working environment of Seed Conditioning Plants (SCP) of soybeans, stands out noise. This is produced by the processing machinery, and the spiral separator is the main source. This work aimed to study the Sound Pressure Level (SPL) issued by the spiral separator and the identification of measures that enable attenuation and coexistence with the original noise operation of the equipment. Firstly, a study was done by map noise on the operation of spiral separators inside a reference building in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which was evaluated in situ, considering their construction and machinery position in the SCP. The set of spirals was also subjected to evaluation in free field conditions to determine the sound safety distance. For the evaluations it was used a SPL meter positioned on previously established reading points. It was identified that the spiral separator is not in full accordance with current legislation relating to health and safety, for noise emission parameters. It is possible to adopt colorimetric scale and noise maps for determining areas of insecurity sound to identify the need for unsanitary payment and selection of PPEs in the operation of the open spiral separator. Concerning noise emission observed in the open field, this tends to training omnidirectional wave with sound security area starting to 8m of distance from the equipment. In the second stage of the study, customer requirements were identified for the development of safer spiral separator. Participated in the survey of customer needs, professionals linked to the seed sector that pointed out the major improvement needs in six items (operation, transportation, maintenance, safety, environmental efficiency and appearance). The clients requirements identified enable relation with product requirements (raised by each manufacturer) through the QFD matrix for the development of safer spiral separator that consider, besides noise, working at height and replacement of cutting parts. Finally, was designed an instructional comics material language about living with the occupational noise for SCP operators.