ASSESSMENT OF NOISE EXPOSURE LEVELS AND RISKS IN THE PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT OF TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR TRAINING ELECTRICIANS AND WELDERS

This study investigates the levels of noise exposure and associated health and safety risks in training workshops used for the vocational education of electricians and welders in Kremenchuk, Ukraine. The research responds to a gap in localized, instrument-based acoustic assessments within educational production environments, where excessive noise levels may adversely impact students’ well-being and cognitive performance. The investigation was motivated by the increasing demand for secure and ergonomic educational spaces, particularly in professions involving intensive use of technological equipment. Field measurements were conducted using certified sound level meters (testo 816-1) and advanced signal processing software (Sound Forge Pro) to capture the spectral characteristics of noise across octave bands ranging from 31.5 Hz to 16 kHz. The analysis revealed that sound pressure levels during typical activities – such as drilling and welding – frequently exceeded national and international noise limits. Notably, operations involving electric drills and simultaneous welding activities produced acoustic loads surpassing 90 dB, with dominant spectral energy concentrated in the 125–4000 Hz range. These levels pose a significant risk to hearing, especially due to the presence of impulse noise and mid-frequency components, which are known to be particularly harmful to the auditory system. To quantify health risks, the researchers developed a noise risk calculator based on a comparison between measured values and permissible limits defined in Ukrainian sanitary norms. The tool classifies noise risk into four categories – low, moderate, high, and very high – based on the number of octave bands with threshold exceedance and the magnitude of deviation. This system enables quick and objective decision-making for occupational safety specialists. The results underscore the necessity for regular acoustic monitoring in educational workshops and suggest practical interventions such as the use of personal hearing protection and engineering noise control solutions. The proposed methodology and diagnostic tools can serve as a basis for upgrading health and safety standards in technical education environments.