This research was carried out in a carpentry in the Federal District, Brazil, with the objective to evaluate and to compare the noise level emitted by the machines used in the manufacture of furniture in four establishments. The evaluation was made with the one noise level measured and it was located as to ear of the worker while operating the machine as per NR15 norm. Six machines were evaluated. The statistical analysis was done using factorial design and mean test. The results indicated significant differences at 5% probability level among machines in the four companies. The mean noise level was of 92,16 dB(A). The highest value was found in the buzz saw in company 4 (101 dB(A)). The horizontal wimble was the only machine in all the companies that fitted with in the limits allowed in the NR15 norm (85 dB(A)) for a daily working of 8 hours. The other machines presented problems related to the noise emission.
environmental factors; ergonomics