IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i3p1181-d1581735.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Integrated Noise Management Strategies in Industrial Environments: A Framework for Occupational Safety, Health, and Productivity

Author

Listed:
  • Timur Vasile Chis

    (Faculty of Oil and Gas Engineering, Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiesti, 39 Bucureşti Blvd., 100680 Ploieşti, Romania)

  • Lucian-Ionel Cioca

    (Industrial Engineering and Management Department, Faculty of Engineering, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550024 Sibiu, Romania)

  • Daniel Onut Badea

    (National Research and Development Institute on Occupational Safety—I.N.C.D.P.M. “Alexandru Darabont”, 35A Ghencea Blvd., Sector 6, 061692 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Iuliana Cristea

    (Faculty of Oil and Gas Engineering, Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiesti, 39 Bucureşti Blvd., 100680 Ploieşti, Romania)

  • Doru Costin Darabont

    (National Research and Development Institute on Occupational Safety—I.N.C.D.P.M. “Alexandru Darabont”, 35A Ghencea Blvd., Sector 6, 061692 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Raluca Maria Iordache

    (National Research and Development Institute on Occupational Safety—I.N.C.D.P.M. “Alexandru Darabont”, 35A Ghencea Blvd., Sector 6, 061692 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Silviu Nicolae Platon

    (Safety1st Test LLC, 61A Moinesti Street, Sector 6, 061232 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Alina Trifu

    (National Research and Development Institute on Occupational Safety—I.N.C.D.P.M. “Alexandru Darabont”, 35A Ghencea Blvd., Sector 6, 061692 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Vlad-Andrei Barsan

    (S.C. Continental S.A., 550018 Sibiu, Romania)

Abstract

Noise exposure in rubber manufacturing poses significant risks to worker health, safety, and productivity. This study explores these challenges via an integrated approach that combines task-based and group noise measurements as required by Directive 2003/10/EC, noise mapping, real-time monitoring, and worker feedback. Noise levels were found to range from 81 to 89 dB(A) across worker groups, with task-specific peaks exceeding 91 dB(A) near high-noise machinery. To mitigate these risks, engineering controls, including acoustic barriers and machine isolation, were proposed alongside administrative measures such as task rotation and improved access to personal protective equipment. The analysis demonstrated a link between noise levels and reduced productivity, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Integrating IoT sensors and AI for real-time noise monitoring offers opportunities to increase compliance, reduce exposure, and improve safety outcomes. Whilst engineering controls involve higher initial investments, cost-benefit analysis highlights their long-term advantages in reducing health-related expenses and improving productivity. This study reinforces the importance of a proactive, worker-centered approach to noise management in rubber manufacturing, emphasizing sustainability, risk mitigation, and the adoption of innovative technologies to create safer and more efficient workplaces.

Suggested Citation

  • Timur Vasile Chis & Lucian-Ionel Cioca & Daniel Onut Badea & Iuliana Cristea & Doru Costin Darabont & Raluca Maria Iordache & Silviu Nicolae Platon & Alina Trifu & Vlad-Andrei Barsan, 2025. "Integrated Noise Management Strategies in Industrial Environments: A Framework for Occupational Safety, Health, and Productivity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-29, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1181-:d:1581735
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/3/1181/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/3/1181/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jennifer M. Cavallari & Adekemi O. Suleiman & Jennifer L. Garza & Sara Namazi & Alicia G. Dugan & Robert A. Henning & Laura Punnett, 2021. "Evaluation of the HearWell Pilot Program: A Participatory Total Worker Health ® Approach to Hearing Conservation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Kresna Febriyanto & Joana Cristina Cardoso Guedes & Luis João Rodrigues Das Neves Correia Mourão, 2024. "A Scoping Review on Occupational Noise Mitigation Strategies and Recommendations for Sustainable Ship Operations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Worrell, Ernst & Laitner, John A & Ruth, Michael & Finman, Hodayah, 2003. "Productivity benefits of industrial energy efficiency measures," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 28(11), pages 1081-1098.
    4. Norah A. Al-Harthy & Hassan Abugad & Najwa Zabeeri & Amal A. Alghamdi & Ghada F. Al Yousif & Magdy A. Darwish, 2022. "Noise Mapping, Prevalence and Risk Factors of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss among Workers at Muscat International Airport," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-12, June.
    5. Yurong Fan & Jin Liang & Xiaodong Cao & Liping Pang & Jie Zhang, 2022. "Effects of Noise Exposure and Mental Workload on Physiological Responses during Task Execution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-21, September.
    6. Junghyun Lee & Miran Hahm & Da-An Huh & Sang-Hoon Byeon, 2018. "Prioritizing Type of Industry through Health Risk Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Dimethylformamide in the Workplace," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-8, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Kalantzis, Fotios & Niczyporuk, Hanna, 2021. "Can European businesses achieve productivity gains from investments in energy efficiency?," EIB Working Papers 2021/07, European Investment Bank (EIB).
    2. Wang, Can & Zheng, Xinzhu & Cai, Wenjia & Gao, Xue & Berrill, Peter, 2017. "Unexpected water impacts of energy-saving measures in the iron and steel sector: Tradeoffs or synergies?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 1119-1127.
    3. Yue, Hui & Worrell, Ernst & Crijns-Graus, Wina, 2021. "Impacts of regional industrial electricity savings on the development of future coal capacity per electricity grid and related air pollution emissions – A case study for China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PB).
    4. Kalantzis, Fotios & Revoltella, Debora, 2019. "How energy audits promote SMEs' energy efficiency investment," EIB Working Papers 2019/02, European Investment Bank (EIB).
    5. Fábio de Oliveira Neves & Henrique Ewbank & José Arnaldo Frutuoso Roveda & Andrea Trianni & Fernando Pinhabel Marafão & Sandra Regina Monteiro Masalskiene Roveda, 2022. "Economic and Production-Related Implications for Industrial Energy Efficiency: A Logistic Regression Analysis on Cross-Cutting Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-19, February.
    6. Lawrence, Akvile & Karlsson, Magnus & Nehler, Therese & Thollander, Patrik, 2019. "Effects of monetary investment, payback time and firm characteristics on electricity saving in energy-intensive industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 499-512.
    7. Nuri Ozgur DOGAN & Can Tansel TUGCU, 2015. "Energy Efficiency in Electricity Production: A Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Approach for the G-20 Countries," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 5(1), pages 246-252.
    8. Monjurul Hasan, A S M & Trianni, Andrea & Shukla, Nagesh & Katic, Mile, 2022. "A novel characterization based framework to incorporate industrial energy management services," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    9. Oikonomou, Vlasis & Patel, Martin & Worrell, Ernst, 2006. "Climate policy: Bucket or drainer?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(18), pages 3656-3668, December.
    10. Kounetas, Konstantinos & Mourtos, Ioannis & Tsekouras, Konstantinos, 2012. "Is energy intensity important for the productivity growth of EET adopters?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 930-941.
    11. Rajbhandari, Ashish & Zhang, Fan, 2018. "Does energy efficiency promote economic growth? Evidence from a multicountry and multisectoral panel dataset," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 128-139.
    12. Geofrey Okoboi & Joseph Mawejje, 2016. "The impact of adoption of power factor correction technology on electricity peak demand in Uganda," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 5(1), pages 1-14, December.
    13. Teg Alam, 2024. "Assessing the Energy Efficiency of Saudi Arabia's Relatively Middle Eastern Countries in the Context of Sustainable Development Goal Seven (SDG7)," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(6), pages 690-696, November.
    14. Perroni, Marcos G. & Gouvea da Costa, Sergio E. & Pinheiro de Lima, Edson & Vieira da Silva, Wesley, 2017. "The relationship between enterprise efficiency in resource use and energy efficiency practices adoption," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 108-119.
    15. Paramonova, Svetlana & Thollander, Patrik & Ottosson, Mikael, 2015. "Quantifying the extended energy efficiency gap-evidence from Swedish electricity-intensive industries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 472-483.
    16. Ackah, Ishmael, 2015. "Investing in the cheapest form of energy: efficiency practices of SMEs in rural Ghana," MPRA Paper 65332, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Coccia, Mario, 2010. "Energy metrics for driving competitiveness of countries: Energy weakness magnitude, GDP per barrel and barrels per capita," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 1330-1339, March.
    18. Daniela Artemisa Calu & Adriana Ana Maria Davidescu & Alina Mihaela Irimescu & Corina-Graziella Batca Dumitru & Viorel Avram, 2023. "Implementation of Energy Efficiency Improvement Measures in Romania and the Role of Professional Accountants," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 25(63), pages 479-479, April.
    19. Li, Ge & Wang, Xiaoyu, 2024. "Energy quota trading policy and energy efficiency: The role of government supervision and public participation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    20. Sorrell, Steve, 2009. "Jevons' Paradox revisited: The evidence for backfire from improved energy efficiency," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 1456-1469, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1181-:d:1581735. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.