Noise Exposure, Awareness, Practice and Noise Annoyance Among Steel Workers in United Arab Emirates (original) (raw)
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Occupational Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss of Workers in Two Plants in Eastern Saudi Arabia
Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 2001
Objective: To determine the prevalence of hearing loss associated with occupational noise exposure and other risk factors. Design: A cross-sectional study involving 269 exposed and 99 non-exposed subjects (nonindustrial noise exposed subjects) randomly selected. Current noise exposure was estimated using both sound level meter and noise-dosimeter. Past noise exposure was estimated by interview questionnaire. Otoscopic examination and conventional frequency (0.25-8 kHz) audiometry were used to assess the hearing loss in each subject. Results: 75% (202 subjects) from the exposed group were exposed to a daily Leq above the permissible level of 85 dB(A) and most (61%) of these did not and had never used any form of hearing protecion. Hearing loss was found to be bilateral and symmetrical in both groups. Bivariate analysis showed a significant hearing loss in the exposed vs non-exposed subjects with a characteristic dip at 4 kHz. Thirty eight percent of exposed subjects had hearing impairment, which was an 8-fold higher rate than that found for non-exposed subjects. Multivariate analysis indicated exposure to noise was the primary, and age the secondary predictor of hearing loss. Odds of hearing impairment were lower for a small subgroup of exposed workers using hearing protection (N=19) in which logistic regression analysis showed the probability of workers adopting hearing protective devices increased with noise exposure, education, and awareness of noise control. Hearing loss was also greater amongst those who used headphones to listen to recorded cassettes. Conclusion: Gross occupational exposure to noise has been demonstrated to cause hearing loss and the authors believe that occupational hearing loss in Saudi Arabia is a widespread problem. Strategies of noise assessment and control are introduced which may help improve the work environment.
Madridge Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 2016
Introduction: Excessive noise is an important health hazard at the present time. It can lead to auditory and extra-auditory effects which affect the welfare of individuals and groups exposed. We carried out this study to understand the prevalance of Noise Induced Hearing-Loss (NIHL) in workers of an automobile manufacturing unit in Karachi, Pakistan. Method: The study consisted of the following: 1. Determination of noise levels during different stages of work. 2. A questionnaire regarding subjective hearing loss of the workers; as well as their knowledge, attitude and behavior regarding excessive noise. 3. Tympanometry and Audiometry. 4. Health and safety survey. Two hundred and seventy two workers participated in the study and out of them 206 underwent audiometric evaluation. Results: The basic demographic, professional data and smoking habits of 272 workers participating in the study is as follows: 34.92% of workers belong to 41-50 years of age, 58.8% belong to Mohajir ethnic group, 19.1% were smoker/ex-smokers, 62% earned less than Rs 10,000/month, 87.5% received education for 0-10 years and 40% had work experience of 0-10 years. The majority of the workers were exposed to noise level higher than the safe limit of 85 dBA. According to the WHO criteria [1] 61% of the workers were suffering from hearing loss. Those who were suffering from hearing loss were further evaluated according to Cole's criteria for NIHL [2]. Of the total number of workers who underwent audiometry 25% fulfilled the Coles' criteria [2] for NIHL. The age, duration of exposure and severity of exposure were important determinants of NIHL. The workers had insufficient knowledge regarding prevention of NIHL. The personal protective equipments were used inadequately. There was no clinical follow up or monitoring of hearing among the workers. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for the government to take practical steps for making a policy and implement it so that occupational hearing loss can be prevented.
Occupational Noise Pollution and Hearing protection in selected industries
The use of technology in industries is ever increasing. With the introduction of this technology come new safety and human performance concerns. Hearing loss caused by industrial noise has been recognized for many years, and protection of employee hearing has been made mandatory by governmental agencies. This paper presents an investigation of occupational noise exposure and Personal hearing protective devices (PHPD) in selected industries in the south-eastern Iran. A questionnaire has been used to collect data for workers with high noise exposure and Personal hearing protective devices (PHPD). The subjects were 354 industrial workers expose to noise pressure levels greater than the action level defined in Iranian legislation (85dB (A) 8h/d. The results of this study indicated that only younger workers with minor professional experience and with high educational background are used PHPD to protect and preserve their hearing. The finding of this study shows that approximately 75% of the workers with age 18-36 reported the use of personal protective Devices at all the time, and 73% of workers with age more than 46 years old reported that they had never used them PHPD, even though it was mandatory in their workplaces. Statistical data show that, the percentage of male workers (82) with age more than 37 years old having headaches at workplace are higher than female (3.4) with the same age groups. A noise training and education program must be developed for industrial employees in order to protect them from hazardous noise pollution. Employers must play an important role in promoting the regular use of Personal hearing protective devices. Noise level in work areas must be considered in the early design of Hearing Conservation Program.
OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE AND HEARING EFFECT ON WORKERS IN EGYPTIAN FACTORIES
The present research studies noise of two different occupational areas in electro-production instruments factories participated in this cross-sectional study, where 54 workers were exposed to this noise. The study was divided into 2 parts with different noise exposure as follows: 1-Factory No. 1 (Metal factory), 2-Factory No. 2 (Metal factory). Measurements of major parameters were carried out in each factory, which included noise measurements such as: maximum and maximum peak sound pressure level (L Amax , L Apmax), minimum sound pressure levels (L Amin) and mean equivalent sound pressure levels for 8 h working day (L Aeq,8h), and threshold of hearing. On other hands, minor parameters of age, working years can be estimated. The following effects of the noise exposure levels were observed in different factories: The overall noise level and exposure to noise in factories No.1, No.2 was about 93.9, 90.4. Hearing threshold levels at test frequencies 0.5,1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 kHz were obtained for both ears at different age years and different working years of workers at each factory. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 1986) shows mild and moderate hearing loss at most of frequencies with different age group. The rate of hearing loss was particularly higher in among workers who reported longer years of working in most of factories. aWorkers showed significantly poorer hearing in the left ear in some factories. Workers did not use hearing protection devices (HPDs) at both factories. It concluded that noise pollution is emerging as an industrial problem, it is clear from the results of this investigation that the hazards of noise exposure in industries in many factories that cause hearing loss as in this study.
Buletin Farmatera, 2019
Noise, being one of the threats towards occupational health, has exposed 600 million workers globally. The incidence of hearing loss caused by workplace noise is 16% in adults. There are various risk factors of hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of those risk factors on Universal Steel Factory's workshop workers. This is an analytical study with a cross-sectional design. Data were collected through history taking, physical examination and pure tone audiometry for 30 workers. The data obtained were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact. There was a correlation between hearing loss with age (p = 0.001), working period (p = 0.001), noise intensity (p = 0.004), and smoking habits (p = 0.013). Therefore, age, working period, noise intensity, and smoking habits have influences to the occurrence of noise-induced hearing loss.
Noise exposure and induced hearing loss to workers in small and large scale industries
International Journal of Engineering & Technology
The purpose of this research is to determine the level of noise exposure to workers and to recommend how to manage the occupational high level of noise, understanding the workers noise exposure and providing personal ear protectors is the responsibility of employers. After visiting almost all the industries it was noticed that none of these industries are following these requirements. Knowing that expo- sure to excessive noise can cause health problems including temporary or permanent hearing loss, concentration problems, stress, nerv- ousness, sleeping problems and fatigue. The noise levels was measured in different industrial settings in North Cyprus using a noise detecting equipment, cirrus 273 integrated sound level meter with octave band filters. The Safety and health standards for noise exposure were used as the benchmark for our data analysis. Questionnaires were designed to determine how much employees were affected by high noise levels in the workplace. Data’s were analyzed...
Occupational noise exposure and hearing loss symptoms among construction workers / Muhammad Rafik
2017
We assessed Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) regarding occupational noise exposure, Noise-induced hearing loss, audiometry and use of hearing protection devices among iron and steel factory workers exposed to high noise level. A modified, validated, structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 253 male workers randomly selected from the four factories. The sum scores for each domain of KAP were computed. Scores above 75% were defined as good knowledge and positive attitude. For practice, scores of >50% were defined as good. Independent samples t-test and Chi-squared test were used to analyze association between KAP and continuous/categorical variables respectively. Majority of workers displayed poor knowledge and poor practice (94%), but 76% displayed a positive attitude. Most of the workers (86%) had never been provided with hearing protection devices. The mean scores for attitude and practice differed significantly between the four factories (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). Implementation of hearing conservation program with provision of hearing protection devices are suggested.
Occupational health southern Africa, 2015
Background: A high prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is observed amongst employees in the steel manufacturing industry. Objective: To determine the prevalence of NIHL and current noise abatement techniques implemented at a steel manufacturing plant. Methods: Structured questionnaires were completed by permanent employees at a steel-manufacturing plant for the purpose of collecting information on occupational and medical histories, noise exposure in and outside the work environment, use of hearing protection devices (HPDs), and current noise abatement procedures. A walk-through survey was also conducted to observe implemented noise abatement techniques using the Noise Induced Hearing Loss Regulations of 2003 as a guideline. Results: A total of 17.9% of workers suffered from NIHL (95% CI 11.8%-22.5%). Administrative controls, lubrication and mufflers were identified by more than 70% of the respondents as control procedures most often implemented by the company. Most of the respondents (77%) used HPDs always and 97% indicated that they fit their HPDs at the beginning of the shift. Conclusion: NIHL remains a significant health problem in this steel industry despite the implementation of noise abatement techniques and the implementation of a noise conservation programme with all the required elements.