Impact of Power Tiller Noise on the Occupational Health of Indian Farmers: A Case Study of Jammu and Kashmir

Power tillers have significantly improved the efficiency of agricultural operations in India. However, their noise emissions pose considerable health risks to operators. This study investigates the impact of power tiller noise on occupational health, and evaluates the effectiveness of various noise protection devices. Noise levels were recorded at different engine speeds, revealing that without protection, noise could reach 103.14 dB(A), surpassing the recommended safe occupational limit of 85 dB(A). Noise reduction capabilities of ear muffs, ear plugs, and moist cotton were assessed. Ear muffs provided highest noise reduction, lowering noise by 40.50%, followed by ear plugs (32.70%) and moist cotton (26.80%). The physiological impact of noise on operators was also measured, showing that ear muffs led to the most significant reductions in elevated blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic blood pressure) as well as increased heart rate. The findings underscore the urgent need for effective noise mitigation strategies in power tiller operations and recommend ear muffs as the most effective protective device for safeguarding operators’ health.