Subjective evaluation of work environment with special reference to noise

The presence of subjective noise annoyance was investigated among workers in a machine factory and a textile mill by using a questionnaire. The relation between annoyance due to noise and annoyance caused by other factors in the work environment was also investigated. The results show that annoyance due to noise exposure was common in both factories. Apart from the relation to the noise level, other acoustical characteristics, such as frequency spectrum and intensity, as well as differences between background and peak levels seem to determine the extent of annoyance. In the machine factory, the general satisfaction at work was significantly less among workers who had reported annoyance from noise, insufficient natural and artificial daylight and dust. In the textile mill noise and dust as well as monotonous work and fast working pace were of importance for the general satisfaction at work. Headache and tiredness were more common in the textile mill. The techniques used in the study could be applied to obtain further information on other industrial noise exposure criteria than hearing damage to serve as a basis for standards for annoyance.