Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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Evaluation of Occupational Exposure to Noise and Heat stress in Coal-fired Power Plants

석탄화력발전소 작업자의 소음과 온열 스트레스에 대한 노출 평가

  • Jiwoon Kwon (National Fire Research Institute, National Fire Agency) ;
  • Kwang-Myong Jang (Daedong Corporation) ;
  • Sungho Kim (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency) ;
  • Se-Dong Kim (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency) ;
  • Miyeon Jang (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency) ;
  • Jiwon Ro (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency) ;
  • Seunghyun Park (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency)
  • 권지운 (소방청 국립소방연구원) ;
  • 장광명 ((주)대동) ;
  • 김성호 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원) ;
  • 김세동 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원) ;
  • 장미연 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원) ;
  • 노지원 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원) ;
  • 박승현 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원)
  • Received : 2023.10.31
  • Accepted : 2023.12.28
  • Published : 2023.12.31
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Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated occupational exposures to noise and heat stress during routine non-outage works in three coal-fired power plants in the Republic of Korea. Methods: The data were collected during the summer of 2020. Full shift noise exposure of 52 workers were measured using noise dosimeters. Heat stress of 16 worksites were measured for 70 minutes using wet-bulb globe temperature monitors. Results: The noise dosimetry results revealed time-weighted averages that ranged from 47.5 to 88.9 dBA. 2 out of 52 noise measurements exceeded 85 dBA. Based on the arithmetic mean, the coal service group showed the highest level at 80.2 dBA by job tasks. Noise exposures exceeding 85 dBA were measured in the coal service and plant operator group. Heat stress index measurements ranged from 20.3℃ to 37.2℃. 1 out of 9 indices measured in coal facilities and 4 out of 7 indices measured in boiler house exceeded 1 hour TWA during moderate work. Heat stress indices measured from boiler houses were significantly higher than those measured from coal equipment. Conclusions: The results show that overexposure to noise and heat stress may be encountered during routine non-outage work activities in coal-fired power plants. Appropriate actions should be taken to reduce future health outcome from occupational exposure to noise and heat stress in the industry.

Keywords

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