Noise exposure and induced hearing loss to workers in small and large scale industries (original) (raw)
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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.
Analysis and Evaluation of Risks from Exposure to Noise in a Working Environment
Acta Mechanica Slovaca
This paper deals with a proposal of assessment of hearing impairment risk from the point of view of long-term exposure to noise in a selected plant in the Slovak Republic. Measurement and monitoring noise was carried out at two workshops of a mechanical engineering plant: in a "Cutting Center" and in a "Welding Center". A Norsonic sound analyser was used to measure noise exposure. Evaluation of the noise measurement results consisted of the comparison of the measured values with the required values, which are specified, in the relevant legislative regulation (Government Regulation No. 115/2006 Coll., technical standard (STN EN ISO 9612:2010 and Directive (Council Directive 2003/10/EC). The measured results show that the normalized levels of noise exposure, extended by the uncertainty of measurement (U = ± 2,1 dB) at the all workplaces, exceed the limits stipulated by the Slovak Government, all measured professions fall within the fourth category of work activities categorized according to the noise factor. Long-term exposure of the human organism to noise pollution can cause, in addition to hearing impairment, a wide range of other diseases. Very high levels of noise cause hearing impairment, lower levels affect the control system in our body. This paper presents the results of a study aimed at assessing the risks associated with acoustic noise in connection with exposure to noise at the workplace and with its possible negative effects (a risk event) to health and hearing of workers in the engineering industry.
DAAAM International Scientific Book, 2015
This paper deals with a proposal of assessment of hearing impairment risk from the point of view of long-term exposure to noise in a selected plant with engineering production. The measured results show that the normalized levels of noise exposure, extended by the uncertainty of measurement at the aforementioned workplaces, exceed the limits stipulated by the Slovak Government Decree № 115/2006 Coll. of Laws, and it is evident that according to the Ordinance № 448/2007 Coll. of Laws, all measured professions fall within the fourth category of work activities categorized according to the noise factor.
Noise & Health, 2017
Aims: To survey current, Danish industrial noise levels and the use of hearing protection devices (HPD) over a 10-year period and to characterise the association between occupational noise and hearing threshold shift in the same period. Furthermore, the risk of hearing loss among the baseline and the follow-up populations according to first year of occupational noise exposure is evaluated. Materials and Methods: In 2001–2003, we conducted a baseline survey of noise- and hearing-related disorders in 11 industries with suspected high noise levels. In 2009–2010, we were able to follow up on 271 out of the 554 baseline workers (49%). Mean noise levels per industry and self-reported HPD use are described at baseline and follow-up. The association between cumulative occupational noise exposure and hearing threshold shift over the 10-year period was assessed using linear regression, and the risk of hearing loss according to year of first occupational noise exposure was evaluated with logis...
Noise Exposure and Hearing Health in the Workplace
Jurnal Biomedika dan Kesehatan
Noise exposure is a potential occupational hazard found in almost every industrial sector.In Indonesia from research conducted on workers in workshops, wood industries and ferries, it was found that the noise intensity was between 85 – 103 dB and the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss was between 21.7% - 34.5%. Besides being able to cause hearing loss, high-intensity noise also causes physical and psychological stress, interferes with communication and concentration, reduces work productivity, and even triggers work accidents. However, noise is often accepted as an unavoidable part of industrial processes causing workers to seem accustomed to noise and do not realize that it will gradually interfere with hearing and if left unchecked it can cause permanent / irreversible sensorineural hearing loss, so preventive measures are the best option to avoid hearing damage.
Occupational Noise Exposure and Its Impact on Worker's Health and Activities
2018
This Cross-sectional research work based on a number of difficulties faced by workers and effects on their health along with their causes. This study also provides some tips-off to solve the causes in an appropriate way. Data were collected through Environmental Noise Survey, blood pressure measurement and plus rate, Questionnaire filling, and personal interview. Using a digital sound level meter, minimum and maximum sound levels were recorded to distinguish it between average sound levels. This survey was also conducted to identify the health problems like ear allergies, head injuries, fatigue, trauma disease, tinnitus and high blood pressure faced by the workers during the working, and rest of the working hours. The minimum noise recorded 86.6dB (A) and maximum is 100.8dB (A). This research briefs the outcomes and causes of noise as generated by industries at the workplace.
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.
Agronomy Research
Employees are exposed to high and low frequency noise which may cause different health effects. Hearing loss first occurs in the high frequency range, low frequency usually causes sleeping disturbances and annoyance. TES 1358 sound analyzer with 1/3 octave band was used to measure the equivalent sound pressure level, the peak sound pressure level, and the noise frequency spectrum at different workplaces. All the results were compared to Estonian and International legislations. High frequency noise was studied in metal, electronics and wood processing industries. The results showed that in several cases, the normative values were exceeded and the highest values appeared in the range of speech frequencies. Frequency analysis indicated that the noise level spectra at work stations of various machines differed in patterns. The low frequency spectra on a ship showed peaks in the frequency range of 50…1,250 Hz. Most employers provided workers with personal protective equipment against noi...
Industrial noise and its effects on human hearing
Applied Acoustics, 2002
The effects of industrial noise on hearing loss of workers in Cyprus was studied over the period from 1996 to 1999. Measurements of the noise exposure doses of more than 200 workers from 90 Cypriot industries, ranging from timber to food and beverage were evaluated. Audiometric examinations of the studied workers showed that 27.8% suffered some hearing damage while 7.7% suffered serious hearing loss. #
Evaluation of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss on the Workers of one of the Ahvaz Steel Companies
Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences
Background: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a preventable occupational health problem, which is considered among the 10 major work-related illnesses. According to the World Health Organization, repair of noise damage around the world costs four million dollars. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine noise-induced hearing loss in a number of workers of the Kaviyan Steel Industry. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study being of cross-sectional type, hearing status of 34 male workers was investigated. In the present study, workers were divided to 3 occupational groups; mechanics, turner and millers, and welders, and to determine a more exact noise exposure level based on network methodology, dosimeter was done using a TES 1358 audiometer for each group. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 16 statistical software using correlations, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and independentsamples t test. Results: The average age and work experience of the subjects was 36.58 ± 7.48 and 11.11 ± 6.8 years, respectively. No significant relationship was observed between sound pressure level and work experience with hearing loss (P > 0.05), yet a significant relationship was found between the decline in hearing threshold in 3000 Hz, 4000 Hz, and 6000 Hz frequencies in the left ear and a frequency of 8000 Hz in the right ear and work experience (P ≤ 0.05). The relationship between age and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) was significant (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that even in a situations where people are imposed to lower levels of noise exposure standards, increasing working experience and age may cause hearing loss.