Noise risk assessment in a bottling plant of a modern Italian winery

In the wine industry, bottling is a phase of the production cycle characterized by high levels of noise, mostly owing to repeatedcollisions between the bottles. In Italy, the Law Decree 81/2008 defined the requirements for assessing and managingnoise risk, identifying a number of procedures to be adopted at different noise levels to limit worker exposure. This study wasaimed at evaluating the equivalent and peak noise level inside the bottling plant area of a modern Italian winery. In particular,the influence of the working capacity (number of bottles produced per hour) on noise levels was evaluated. Three testconditions were considered: T1 with a working capacity of 4000 bottles/h; T2 with working capacity of 5000 bottles/h; and T3with working capacity of 6000 bottles/h. Fifteen measurement points were identified inside the bottling area. The instrumentused for the measurements was a precision integrating portable sound level meter, class 1,model HD2110L by Delta OHM, Italy.The results indicated that, as the bottling plant working capacity increased, noise levels increased. The measured sound levelsexceeded the limits allowed by the regulations in all of the test conditions. Values exceeding the threshold limit of 80 dB(A)were recorded, increasing to a maximum value of 95 dB(A) in test T3. In this case, the operator working along the bottling linewas obliged to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment.