EFFECT OF MACHINE NOISE ON BLOOD PRESSURE: THE CASE OF SAWMILL WORKERS IN BENIN

This study aims to evaluate the effects of machine noise on the blood pressure of workers at the BOSTONE SERVICE sawmill in Benin. Workers' blood pressure was measured using an automatic sphygmomanometer before and during noise exposure, in accordance with the 2016 recommendations of the French National Authority for Health (HAS) and the French Society of Hypertension (SFHTA). The continuous equivalent sound pressure levels (Lp,A,eqT) were recorded. and peak sound pressure levels Lp,C,peak were measured with the BSWA 308 integrating sound level meter, calibrated to class 1 and accuracy 0.7, in accordance with the task measurement expertise method of ISO 9612:2009. The calculator downloadable from the INRS website in France was used to process the data to obtain the daily noise exposure level LEX , 8h = 84.8 dB(A). and the expanded uncertainty U=2.5 dB(A). The peak sound pressure level measure is Lp,C,peak = 121.4 dB(C). We note that the L EX, 8h = 84.8 exceeds 80 dB(A), a threshold The maximum noise level in industrial settings, according to ISO 9612:2009, the French Noise Information and Documentation Center ( CidB ) , and Decree No. 2022-301 of May 25, 2022, regulating noise in Benin, is not to be exceeded. Furthermore, blood pressures measured during work are significantly higher than those measured before noise exposure. This study shows that the noise from the machines has an effect on the blood pressure of sawmill workers. BOSTONE SERVICE . Thus, To avoid high blood pressure, these workers must protect themselves with PICB ( Personal Protection Against Noise ) such as noise-canceling headphones and earplugs.