Noise effects on two industrial tasks

Abstract

Abstract Very little is known about the effects of noise on the quality and quantity of motor task performance particularly in natural work settings. The present paper describes a study of the effects of noise on the performance of two tasks: the assembly of car carburettors and car air conditioners. The tasks were carried out either under quiet conditions (65 dBA) or noisy conditions (75 or 90 dBA): four broadly comparable groups of workers were studied. The data suggested, among other things, that all faulty behaviours involving a mental load were affected by noise although manual dexterity was not. It also appeared that noise impaired activities involving visuo-motor coordination. These findings, and others, are discussed in terms of information processing. Key Words: NoiseAssembly tasksPsychomotor performanceMistakes