Influence of Noise on the Workers’ Performance in an LPG-Refilling Site: Some Proposals

Abstract

One environmental aspect that poses concerns to safety and health is occupational noise exposure among factory workers. Constant exposure to environmental stressors like noise at work can harm workers' comfort and performance since they interfere with their ability to focus. As observed in a refilling site in Dunggo-an, Danao City, Cebu, noise is noticeable and prevalent. Thus, the researchers evaluated the relationship of workplace noise to the performance of workers in the refilling plant. This study used a quantitative approach through observation in evaluating the relationship of workplace noise level to the performance of workers in the refilling site. The collected data from the production were gathered with the use of a sound level meter and a stopwatch and analyzed with Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient and tTest to know the significant relationship between performance and noise level, and the significant difference of work performance with and without earmuffs, respectively. The study was conducted for only one day. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between levels of noise and the workers’ performance at the LPG-refilling site. This revealed that the duration of completing a task takes longer as levels of noise in the workplace increase. Thus, there is a need to implement the proper utilization of earmuffs to reduce the noise level received by workers and improve their performance, and to further save costs for the next production. From the findings, the researchers formulated an action plan and recommendations to minimize noise exposure in workplace.