Occupational Risks in a Worplace of a Metallurgical in Paraba - Brazil

L.O. Rocha & M.B.G. Santos I. F. Araujo

Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, Paraba / Brazil

ABSTRACT: Environmental conditions at work can significantly impair sensory and psychological aspects of the employees, affecting the well-being and quality of services. This paper aims to collect data to verify aspects of thermal comfort, acoustic and ergonomic in a job Oxipira machine that is automated cutting and
drilling sheet metal. We conducted a literature research about comfort, highlighting key aspects of national
legislation. Quantitative data were collected using specific equipment. Qualitative assessments were obtained
from the direct observation of the production process. The activity is designed to sitting position, but the operators alternate standing posture. It was observed above the noise level acceptable for the purpose of comfort, as the effective temperature and the relative humidity did not reveal inadequacies. The air velocity was
below the recommended for air renewal. The activity object of the study revealed some inadequacies and so
were some recommendations.
1 INTRODUCTION
In any production process concern for comfort is also essential because the environmental conditions of
the working environment can significantly affect the
sensory and psychological aspects of who uses it,
decreasing the yield capacity, thus justifying the current preoccupation with association between work
environment and comfort conditions present in it.
Iida (1995) emphasizes that the adverse environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures,
noise pollution and vibrations cause discomfort, increasing the risk of accidents, which may cause considerable damage to health.
There are many variables that may be associated
with environmental comfort in a work environment,
eg noise, lighting, temperature, humidity, purity and
air velocity, radiation, physical effort, type of clothing, among others. Each represents an important part
in the welfare of workers and the quality of services.
Health problems often are related to one or more of
these variables of comfort, as can also be linked to
changes in the individual order, social and technical
(Silva et al, 2002).
This work aims to verify aspects of thermal comfort, acoustic and ergonomic in a specific job, where
the machine is installed Oxipira, which is automated
cutting and drilling of sheet metal in a metallurgical
company. To do so, the agents relevant to the physical activity developed based on the criteria defined
in the Regulatory Standards NR-15 and NR-17-01 in
NHO and NBR10152.

2 CHARACTERIZATION OF THE COMPANY

Nowadays many modern buildings are structured
steel, this technology favored the initial strategic positioning of the company as a pioneer study which
provided its exponential growth, which resulted in
large partnership in early 2011 with several investors.
Located in the industrial district of Fires - PB in
own area of 85.000m , with 14,000 m of built area
subdivided into manufacturing, painting and offices
and 20,000 m for the stock and shipping.
It is a company specialized in manufacturing and assembly works in the sectors of oil and gas, power
plants, buildings with multiple floors (commercial or
residential), sheds (industrial or commercial), shopping centers, distribution centers and logistics, supermarkets, airports, terminals roads, railways,
bridges, flyovers and footbridges. Having production
capacity of around one thousand (1,000) tons month.
2.2 The equipment Oxipira
The Oxipira is a machine used for cutting and drilling of metal plates with different thicknesses. Presents a rugged and durable enabling its use in the industrial environment with maximum working cycle.
It has low operating cost and maintenance, which

contributes to the quality of the parts produced, resulting in cost-effective once the final cost of a part
is low and quality is high. The Oxipira is capable of
performing detailed cuts, allowing for greater exploitation of raw material which impacts on cost reduction. The handling is carried out by means of a
computerized interface, without the need for manual
adjustments to the thickness , shape and size of the
cut piece.
2.3 Ergonomic Features
This analysis refers to a diagnosis ergonomic, based
on Norm NR -17 (1978), making necessary a study
of the workplace in order to detect occupational risk
factors capable of providing subsidies for the ergonomic solutions company, adapting the legislation.
Grandjean (1998) states that the practical goal of ergonomics is the adaptation of the workplace, instruments, machines, timetables, environmental requirements of the human being. The achievement of
such goals, the industrial level, provides improvement in labor income and income from human effort.
Therefore, the ergonomic analysis studies work
circumstances seeking to adapt it to the man from
the analysis of environmental and organizational
conditions, among them environmental highlights
the effect thermal and acoustic, seeking to reveal
improved practice tasks with comfort, health, safety
and effectiveness.

may be occasions where the harsh heat exchange establishes a risk to the welfare of the individual, because even the human body possessing mechanisms
of thermoregulation, can not maintain the internal
temperature constant and consistent.
2.5 Acoustic aspects
The acoustics aims to examine the elements of
sound and its relationship to the human senses , in
order to make minimal unfavorable conditions , such
as noise. Having the goal of maximally reduce the
noise causing hearing damage and control the interference to enable a good understanding between the
person that plays the sound and the one who will listen.
Noise can be defined as a physically sound great
complexity resulting from the superposition of disharmonic sounds from various sources (Fernandes
1999). When significant noises can interfere with
complex tasks and simple as they may confound the
worker and mitigate the effects of monotony and repetitiveness enabling the rise of occupational diseases and accidents at work.
The parameters used to assess the level of noise
are present in the Norm 15 - Unhealthy Activities
and Operations (1978) Which determines the exposure limits as a function of working time.
2.6 Regulatory Standards
2.6.1 NR -17

2.4 Aspects thermal

Thermal comfort is inserted into the environmental
comfort, where also part visual comfort acoustic
comfort and air quality. Since this is a set of variables that directly interfere in human performance.
Lamberts & Xavier (2002) defines thermal comfort
as a state of mind that expresses satisfaction with the
environment. The body conditions also affect this
feeling, this feeling is so subjective, as it differs
from person to person and varies according to
weight, metabolism, amount of body fat, type of activity performed, among others.
According to Fanger (1970), as the thermal comfort and environmental variables also involves subjective variables or personal, is not it possible that a
group of persons subject to the same environment at
the same time, all of it is satisfied with the same
thermal conditions due to individual characteristics
of persons.
A comfortable environment considered is one that
triggers metabolic heat production, which remains
stable heat exchange with the environment. The environment not being in a situation of stability, there

This Norm aims to establish parameters for adapting

working conditions to the psychophysiological characteristics of workers, in order to provide maximum
comfort, safety and efficient performance. Include
aspects related to lifting, transporting and unloading
of materials, to furniture, equipment and environmental conditions of the job and the organization of
work itself.
2.6.2 NR 15
This Norm commented on the activities, operations
and unhealthy implications. For evaluation purposes
will only be used to Table 1 of Annex 01 of NR,
which shows the maximum allowable limits during
the workday.
2.6.3 NBR 10152
This Standard sets noise limits compatible with the
acoustic comfort in different environments.

2.6.4 NHO 01
This Technical Standard is to establish criteria and
procedures for the assessment of occupational exposure to noise, which implies potential risk of occupational deafness. Took into account only the topic related to evaluation.
3 MATERIALS AND METHODS
We performed a literature search of comfort and
their thermal, acoustic and ergonomic, taking into
account the main aspects involved in the national
legislation. Taking as reference the query structuring
NR17 (1978) establishing parameters that allow the
adaptation of working conditions to the psychophysiological characteristics of workers, in order to provide maximum comfort , safety and efficient performance , were also considered aspects related to
NR 15 (1978 ) that discusses the unhealthy activities
and operations and their implications , and NBR
10152 determining noise limits compatible with the
acoustic comfort . To determine the assessment procedures was consulted NHO 01.
Quantitative data were collected through direct research through observation and the use of specific
equipment for each measurement was obtained the
necessary analyzes and conclusions.
Noise levels were measured with the aid of digital
decibel meter multifunctional, being positioned near
the auditory zone of the worker. The effective temperature and air velocity and relative humidity were
measured with a portable digital anemometer. Measurements were taken with the instrument located
near the worker so that there barriers that could
jeopardize the legitimacy of the data obtained. The
measurements were performed during three consecutive days of April during the evening hours, which
are carried out at intervals of 5 minutes when done
using the decibel meter and 60 minutes when done
using the anemometer. Qualitative assessments were
made based on the observation of the activity in the
workplace.
3.1 Materials used
The variables that make up the thermal environment,
air temperature, Tar (C), relative humidity, RH (%),
were collected simultaneously by the instrument
Psychrometer - AN- 4870 portable anemometer
manufacturer ICEL, as well as the noise level ( dB )
was collected by use of a Thermo- Hygro - decibel
meter, light meter portable model THDL - 400 manufacturer Instrutherm.

4 . ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
4.1 Ergonomic Features
The activity performed at the workstation machine
Oxipira includes discontinuously manual transport
of loads, alternating between machine operation, inspection and cargo transportation to final disposal
and storage. That this transport is carried out by employees of the interim job.
The transport of metal plates to the machine is via
Oxipira muncks and physical effort performed by
the worker is compatible with his strength and ability to not compromise your health or safety, but he
does not receive training or instruction regarding satisfactory methods work that should be used, in order
to safeguard their health and prevent accidents.
The job offers a work area easy to reach and a
good display by the worker. It is planned to sitting
position, but the operators alternate this posture with
the standing position, it becomes necessary for the
execution machine adjustment, inspection and transportation. The height and distance of the panel provide operators the required distance from the eyes to
the field work. The chair and panels provide workers
able to maintain proper posture, facilitating the visualization and execution of activities, thus meeting
the criteria established ergonomic comfort by NR17.
The seat used by machine operators has dimensional features that allow proper positioning and
movement of the body segments. It has adjustable
height to the height of the operators, so the seat can
meet different anthropometric measures , also allowing good accommodation for the workers who will
use this seat in another turn.
The chair conformation has not used in the base
which allows the worker's posture changes, providing relief from the tension on the muscles supporting. By owning rounded front edge and back with
slightly adapted form to the body, allow less compression on the back of the thighs and lower back
protection. From the aspects observed, one can see
that the seat meets the basic requirements of comfort, offering employees good working conditions.
The machine has Oxipira footrest at the proper
height for operators, enabling switching position of
the feet, making the implementation of activities less
stressful and more comfortable. But there are no
supports in place suitable for reading documents, being performed on the control panel or even just using
the hand as support, causing operators to drive frequent neck and eyestrain.
The machine used in the workplace study offers
no mobility conditions sufficient to allow adjustment
of the screen's ambient lighting or adjusting the keyboard according to the task to be performed. The
distances between eye- observed -eye screen and
keyboard are practically the same, since they are attached on the same basis. The distance eye docu-

4.2 Acoustic aspects

The activity studied shows no correlation or equivalence with those listed in NBR 10152, the sound
level was varied between 60.1 dB and 103.5 dB depending on the thickness of the plate to be cut (As
shown in Figure 1) and is thus unacceptable for purposes of comfort, since it is considered comfort zone
when the environment has a level of up to 65 dB (A)

Noise
1st day

120
100
80
60
40
20
0

Rudo 1 dia
(dB A)
2st day
Minutos
30
65
100
135
170
205
240
275

dB (A)

Noise Level

3st day

Figure 1 - Acoustic analysis. Source: Authors own (2012).

4.3 Aspects thermal
The effective temperature in the studied area can be
considered ideal in order to not exceed the maximum thermal comfort stipulated by NR17, between
20C and 23C, and decreased by 0.5C less than the
minimum.
In Figure 2 we can observe the values of thermal
sensation effective temperature during the days of
measurement.

Effective temperatures - Maximum and

minimum
24

Temperature
Temperatura
1st day
1dia
Temperature
Temperatura
2stdia
day
2

23
22
C

ment varies with the position of the hands of the

workers with the document or the place where they
will allocate this role, since there is a fixed base for
supporting the same. Thus hindering activities that
involve reading documents for typing.
The designs used to base the cut are difficult readability and understanding, as well as having small
characters, for the interpretation of the data requires
a level of advanced technical knowledge.
The performance evaluation for purposes of compensation does not take into consideration only the
productivity, ensuring that employees do not need to
commit excesses effort to enable damage to your
health. There is no rest break pre - defined, but the
workers have the freedom to leave of absence and go
drink water and/bathroom. And at times there are
stops activity when there is expected to reach a new
part in the process or when not necessary inspection
and the machine is in operation. Not so overloading
operators.

21

Temperature
Temperatura
3
3stdia
day

20
19

Limite
Mnimo
Minumum
Limit

18
2

Hours

Figure 2 - Thermal aspects. Source: Authors own (2012 ).

4 SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT AND

CONCLUSIONS
The air velocity did not exceed 0.75 m/s , maximum
value estimated by NR17. The value measured during the whole process was 0.0 m/s thus revealing the
inadequacy regarding the renewal of the air in which
the operators are submitted, they are exposed to an
environment with no ventilation either natural or artificial.
The average relative humidity found in the environment varied according to the days of observation,
but most were recorded lower rates or very close to
50 %, considered ideal for a work environment that
offers comfort to the worker.
4.4 Aspects luminance
The lighting factory was only analyzed using criteria
as perceived by researchers. Therefore, no measurements were made.
From means of compliance was noted that the
environment where workers perform their activities
has no good natural lighting which is unstable , since
it changes according to the climate and weather and
time , even with artificial perception researchers is
insufficient.
Points of artificial light that there are very distant
from each other, having a capacity of illuminance
small, since there are few points of light right foot
and the work environment is high. Therefore, the
lighting is not evenly distributed causing shadows
and glare which also result from variation in natural
lighting, which may adversely affect the performance of the inspection and safety of workers.
As no measurements were made with technical
equipment, we can not say whether the job meets the
minimum levels of illuminance established in NBR
5413.

5 SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT AND

FINAL
As conclusions of the analysis, job analysis could
identify some shortcomings related to ergonomics,
unsatisfactory conditions of acoustic comfort. As for
the comfort level on the temperature of the gas machine Oxipira, was considered sufficient, though,
still can make improvements in this regard.
Some recommendations are suggested, based on
the established diagnosis system dysfunctions man
task, which aims to improve the working conditions
of the gas studied and, consequently, improve product quality and increase productivity.
As for the thermal aspects recommends the inclusion of means of natural ventilation and artificial,
enabling the cooling of the environment favoring the
heat exchange medium with the worker. To this end
it is suggested that implements ventilators and windows to facilitate the entry of air.
With regard to aspects luminance using artificial
lighting uniformly distributed which is indicated to
decrease the glare, shadows and shadows on the environment, avoiding possible accidents caused by
poor lighting.
As for noise, it is possible to enclose their sources
in the machine considering that there is no possibility to make changes to the same physical structure
and the materials that constitute it. The machine is
already away from other jobs, avoiding the spread in
other ways than that in which it is embedded. It is
possible to implement other automations to the process, thus reducing the time of exposure of the
worker to the machine and muscle overload worker.
The noise level observed in the survey, although
high is not responsible for damages to workers because they use protective equipment ear -shell. Thus
making the noise level near desirable for the acoustic comfort of the individual.
Regarding safety, it is proposed to adapt the
equipment used, such as the implementation of a
system of pulleys to suspend the material, thus preventing accidents caused by falling equipment and
personnel, besides the use of benches for support
papers/documents and placement of support brackets
for the arms of workers as a way to reduce the problems related to muscle overload responsible for the
occurrence of MSDs and fatigue.
It is suggested for the job the adoption of rotation
operators, as well as physical activities stretching, to
reduce the effects of fatigue of daily activities.
It is important not to cease the company's interest
in the welfare and health of its employees, as observed through security policies and organization.
Where it is present routines placement and periodic examinations. It is advised that, in addition, for
the pursuit of employee awareness through lectures
on themes related to the environmental hazards they

are exposed to and train them in the use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.
7

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