Discussão sobre a pressão sonora que acomete o trabalhador da indústria da construção civil

Abstract

The decision for the building construction industry was due to its dynamics, having diverse areas within a project, many construction workers are involved, and they are exposed to machinery and equipments noise. Machinery noise is the main cause of medical leave and injuries; it can also cause early retirements by the INSS [Brazilian National Institute of Social Security]. According to the Ministry of Labor and Employment, the civil construction sector held 1,045,251 direct job positions in 2003, and 1,118,570 direct job positions in 2004. The Ministry of Welfare points that in 2005, approximately 492,000 of work related injuries were reported to the INSS. If compared to the previous year of 2004, work related injuries increased 5.6%. The numbers show the importance of a research in that area. According to the NR-9, the noise is a physical agent, and many times do not receive the special attention required, it can go unnoticed during the implementation stages of a project. It is necessary, before the start of each job or project, the identification, evaluation and the correct control of the noise when needed. Noise is considered the third main cause of environmental pollution, only behind of water and air pollution. Hearing loss is a pathology that can be 100% prevented, but once acquired, it becomes permanent and irreversible. This research objective was the analysis by a dosimeter of the sound pressure level generated by the equipments: concrete truck mixer; the circular saw or portable and construction lift of the civil construction sector. The research took place in 5 (five) sites of vertical building projects, during the final stage, in the Metropolitan area of Recife (RMR). The results were satisfactory, as no construction worker was found exposed to the different levels of sound pressure (noise), generated by the machinery being monitored: concrete truck mixer, circular saw or portable and construction lift. Even though some levels exceeded the tolerance limit (LT) which is a standard of 85dB (A), for a 100% exposure in an 8 hours working day. Only 1 out of 14 construction workers was not equipped with the Individual Protection Equipment (EPI). In this particular case, the ear protector (protective type shell or plug type), exposed the worker to the limit set by the standard. Two (2) dosimeters from Quest brand were used in this research; models Q-300 and Q-400. The devices were connected to the body of the worker. After verifying the sound pressure levels and the exposure of each worker to such levels of noise, the results were confronted with the legislation in charge and some mitigation measures were suggested, when deemed necessary, in order to avoid possible damages to the workers health