Noise intensity and its impact on the perception and concentration level among forest harvesting workers in industrial forest plantation, North Sumatera, Indonesia

Background: Noise has the potential to affect comfort and health of workers. The objective this research was find out effect noise caused by timber harvesting process using chainsaws on concentration workers in an industrial forest plantation. Methods: This experimental study included 20 respondents which consisted 10 chainsaw operators/helpers non-chainsaw operators. All were exposed sound a three different conditions (idle, half gas racing conditions) with without personal protective equipment (PPE). intensity produced received measured level meter. Respondents’ perception toward recorded Likert scale. assessed giving 25 math-questions be answered within minutes. Wilcoxon sign rank test used analysed paired data. Results: average respondents’ left right ears lower than chainsaw. use earmuffs leads better towards when compared earplugs absence any PPE. result showed that did not have significant impact operators, whilst contrary is true for operators. Conclusions: indicated although machine considered noisy both operators operator, it only affected Therefore, given still noise, control measures are needed ensure occupational safety workers.