Occupational Noise in Intensive Systems of Rearing Pigs in Tropical Continental Climate Region 2010-36-0544

The aim of this study was to assess the occupational noise in technician pig farm, located in the tropical continental region. There were performed measurements of the amount of noise and environmental noise to assess the routine activities of the farm, with the applied questionnaires to all employees. It was concluded that the replacement facilities and motherhood at the time of washing with water under pressure are considered unhealthy environments and the activities of castration, heat detection and cleaning of stalls of motherhood, with water pressure, have average noise above 85 dB(A). The age of the worker and the activity time course do not favor the arising of hearing loss. It is, also, that probably the kind of plant husbandry of pigs and environmental temperature influence the occupational noise. When conducting future researches related to this subject it is necessary to consider the type of plant and equipments used, observing the climate where the farm is located and the level of stress to which the animals are submitted. It is suitable for the farm assessed the performance of a hearing protection program.