The research about the influence of working conditions on operator's noise exposure at forwarding was made in 2013. Whole day time and noise measurements were made in Italy and Slovenia. 5 forwarders were included. Category of forwarding was down and flat. International standard SIST EN ISO 9612:2009 and IUFRO classification of working operations were used. Full drive distance, average piece and net volume time structure showed increment in empty and full drive due to reduction in loading and unloading, while time structure for number of pieces showed increment in loading and unloading due to reduction in empty and full drive. The highest noise load in productive time (PW) was measured during empty and full drive. 8-hour noise exposure (LAex8h) without the influence of radio and open cabin was 77,9 dB(A) and with the influence of radio and open cabin 82,6 dB(A), so it exceeded lower warning limit stated in European directive 2003/10/EC and Slovenian Regulations on the Protection of Workers from Risks Related to Noise Exposure at Work (2006). The lower the openness of forests with primary roads (or the longer the distance of travel) and the bigger the number of pieces, the higher the noise load was. Significantly higher noise load was established while radio was turned on (3,6 dB(A)) and at open cabin (11,9 dB(A)). Forwarder drivers should turn off the machine or wear personal ear protection gear (ear muffs) while being outside the cabin or being inside the open cabin. On the base of statistical analysis new classification of working operations and approaches was proposed.
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