Investigation of noise sources in marble quarries

In this thesis study, the noise levels of machines located in 8 different marble factories were measured using a noise meter device. Measurements were conducted at distances of 1.0 m around each machine, and the equivalent noise levels of the machines were determined. Based on the noise measurement results, it was determined that the machines with the highest noise levels were head cutting machines in Factory A, trimming machines in Factory B, S/T machines in Factories C, E, F, and H, and bridge cutting machines in Factories D and G. When two or more machines operate simultaneously in an environment, noise exposure is calculated as composite noise. Since multiple machines operate together in marble factories, the composite noise values of the factories have been determined. The highest composite noise value was found to be 109.3 dBA in Factory A. Additionally, the noise levels (LEX,8h) that workers in the factories were exposed to during an 8-hour workday were calculated and evaluated according to noise regulations. It was determined that the noise values exceeded the limit value (LEX,8h=87 dBA) for all workers in the factories. The average equivalent noise levels of machines performing similar tasks among factories were correlated with the shore hardness of the natural stones they cut. A relationship with R2=%99 for multi-blade cutting machines, R2=%99 for trimming machines, R2=%98 for head cutting machines, R2=%95 for slab polishing machines, R2=%77 for gang saw machines, and R2=%73 for S/T machines was detected. Various recommendations were made to protect workers inside the factories from the harmful effects of noise.