Assessment of occupational risk caused by noise exposure in workers at metallurgical plant subunits under modernization

2019 ◽  
pp. 142-148
Author(s):  
Ye. L. Bazarova ◽  
A. A. Fedoruk ◽  
N. A. Roslaya ◽  
I. S. Osherov ◽  
A. G. Babenko
Keyword(s):  
Noise Exposure ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Numerical Control ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Length Of Service ◽  
Medicine Research ◽  
Noise Measurements

Introduction. Noise is a common occupational hazard in metallurgic production. Objective. To evaluate occupational risk caused by exposure to noise in 18 occupational groups in subunits under modernization in an enterprise producing titanium alloys, using methodology of N.F. Izmerov Occupational Medicine Research Institute. Materials and methods. A priori risk evaluation by noise measurements was performed according to criteria of Manuals R 2.2.2006–05, R 2.2.1766–03 and hygienic models, a posteriori one — by analysis of occupational morbidity over 30 years, transitory disablement morbidity and chronic diseases prevalence according to medical examinations data over 5 years. Total of 58758 sick-leave certifi cates was analyzed. Comparison covered morbidity in individuals exposed to noise (3501 individuals) and non-exposed individuals (9138 ones). Results. Findings are that a risk level by hygienic criteria in the studied occupations was assigned to low to high category (work conditions classes 3.1–3.3), by occupational morbidity criterion — from low to high (index of occupational diseases from 0 to 0.25). Occupational neurosensory deafness was registered in blacksmiths, turners, vertical lathe operators. Noise appeared to be a trigger for diseases of ears, eyes, skin, locomotory system, nervous system, urinary tract, respiratory system, for mental disorders, increased blood pressure, hyperglycemia, leukocytosis, with 1.1–1.7 times reliably increased their risk in general over the production, and up to 3.7 times in certain occupations (p<0.05). Prevalence of the health disorders appeared to increase with growing noise levels. Conclusions. Industrial modernization is associated with decrease of occupational morbidity caused by exposure to noise to single cases and increase of age and length of service at noise conditions to diagnosis. Considerable health improvement was seen in blacksmiths, aft er hammer equipment was changed to the press one, in lathe operators — aft er lathe changed to processing centers with numerical control.

Assessment of the risk of health disorders when working in an open area during the cold period of the year

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 857-859
Author(s):  
Ekaterina M. Polyakova
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Open Area ◽  
Industrial Noise ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. Oil industry workers are exposed to some work environment factors of specific natural and climatic conditions. The aim of study is to conduct an assessment of the group occupational risk of health disorders in the conditions of working in open territories in cold seasons. Materials and methods. The object of the study was workers who carry out labor operations in an open area during cold seasons: operators of a desalting and dehydrating unit, mechanists of compressor units, mechanists for pumping a working agent into the reservoir and repairmen of the oil producing company located in Western Siberia. The assessment of a priori group risk from the impact of industrial noise, exposure to chemicals in the air of the work environment, while body vibration, factors of the work environment and the climate of cold seasons in the conditions of working in open areas and in unheated rooms was carried out according to the combined model of professional risk assessment developed by A.V. Meltser, A.V. Kiselev. Results. We ranked the workplaces of the studied professional groups according to the degree of health hazard. It has been established that the greatest danger, from the point of view of the methodology of professional risk, is the workplace of an operator of the central tank desalting and dehydrating unit of the oil preparation and delivery unit. The leading factor for the development of occupational and nonspecific pathology within a studied enterprise is industrial noise. At the same time, the climate in cold seasons in the conditions of working in open areas makes a significant contribution to the development of occupational and nonspecific pathology. Conclusions. Assessment of the a priori occupational risk of health disorders among oil company workers engaged in labor operations in an open area during a cold season made it possible to establish priority work place in which it is advisable to carry out priority medical and preventive measures. The implemented system of hygienic assessment of occupational factors should take into account the effect of the climatic and weather conditions on workers’ health in the region of residence.

The prospects of occupational risk management during reforms of regulatory legislation basis

2019 ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vadim B. Alekseev ◽  
Nina V. Zaitseva ◽  
Pavel Z. Shur
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Social Insurance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Federal Law ◽  
Work Safety ◽  
Risk Levels ◽  
Legal Principles

Despite wide legislation basis of regulating relations in work safety and workers’ health, one third of workplaces demonstrate exceeded allowable normal levels of workers’ exposure to occupational hazards and present occupational risk for health disorders.In accordance to national legislation acts, evaluation should cover factors of occupational environment and working process, and occupational risk is understood in context of mandatory social insurance. This approach has been formed due to mostly compensatory trend in legal principles of work safety in Russia by now. Implementation of new preventive concept of work safety, based on idea of risk management for workers, necessitates development of legal acts that regulate requirements to evaluation of occupational risk and its reports with consideration of changes in Federal Law on 30 March 1999 №52 FZ “On sanitary epidemiologic well-being of population”.Those acts can include Sanitary Rules and Regulations “Evaluation of occupational risk for workers’ health”, that will contain main principles of risk assessment, requirements to risk assessment, including its characteristics which can serve as a basis of categorizing the risk levels with acceptability.To standardize requirements for informing a worker on the occupational risk, the expediency is specification of sanitary rules “Notifying a worker on occupational risk”. These rules should contain requirements: to a source of data on occupational risk level at workplace, to informational content and to ways of notifying the worker. Specification and implementation of the stated documents enable to fulfil legal requirements completely on work safety — that will provide preservation and increase of efficiency in using work resources.

scholarly journals Case Study in a Working Environment Highlighting the Divergence between Sound Level and Workers’ Perception towards Noise

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6122
Author(s):  
Chun-Yip Hon ◽  
Illia Tchernikov ◽  
Craig Fairclough ◽  
Alberto Behar
Keyword(s):  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Hearing Conservation ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Noise Measurements ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Excessive Noise

Excessive noise levels are a prevalent issue in food processing operations and, although there have been numerous studies on occupational noise, no single study has used a concurrent mixed-methods approach. Employing this study design allows for an understanding of the level of convergence (similarity) between measured noise levels and workers’ attitudes and perceptions towards noise. This, in turn, allows for the identification of potential challenges with respect to the implementation of hearing conservation efforts. In this study, spot noise measurements were collected using a sound level meter. One-on-one interviews were conducted with workers to determine attitudes and perceptions towards noise in their workplaces. Subsequently, the results of the noise measurements (quantitative data) were integrated with the survey responses (qualitative data) to identify convergence. The majority of the noise measurements were found to exceed 85 dBA—the criterion mandated by the local occupational health and safety legislation. Although all study participants felt that it was noisy in the workplace, a large proportion of respondents indicated that the noise was not bothersome. With workers’ perception being contradictory to the measured noise levels, it is a challenge to implement hearing conservation measures unless changes are made to raise the awareness of the risks associated with excessive noise exposure.

Noise in Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery Operating Rooms

2020 ◽  
pp. 194589242097652
Author(s):  
Marc Levin ◽  
Kelvin Zhou ◽  
Ethan C. Sommer ◽  
Hitansh Purohit ◽  
Jeffery Wells ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Skull Base Surgery ◽  
Noise Measurement ◽  
Scrub Nurse ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Noise Measurements ◽  
Or Team

Background Noise in the operating room (OR) contributes to miscommunication among team members and may negatively impact patient outcomes. Objectives This study aimed to quantify noise levels during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. The secondary aim was to understand how OR team members perceive noise during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. Methods Noise levels were measured using the validated phone application SoundMeter X 10.0.4 (r1865) (Faber Acoustical, Utah, USA) at the ear-level of the surgeon, scrub nurse, circulating nurse, and anesthesiologist. At the end of each surgery, OR team members were asked to complete a six-question questionnaire about noise during that surgery. Results One thousand four hundred and two noise measurements were recorded across 353 trials. The loudest mean noise measurement was 84.51 dB and maximum noise measurement was 96.21 dB at the ear-level of the surgeon. Noise was significantly higher at the ear-level of the surgeon and scrub nurse in comparison to the circulating nurse (p = .000) and anesthesiologist (p = .000). Forty percent of questionnaire respondents believed noise was a problem and 38% stated that noise caused communication issues during surgery. Conclusion Surgeons and scrub nurses have significantly higher noise exposure in comparison to circulating nurses and anesthesiologists during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. For these members of the OR team, noise is also identified as problematic and causing issues with communication. Mechanisms to reduce potential noise may be implemented to improve communication and patient outcomes in endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery.

Determining the Occupational Risk Level in the Task of Welding Railings in a Manufacturing Company by Means of RULA

2018 ◽  
pp. 354-363
Author(s):  
Arturo Realyvásquez ◽  
Brandon Iván Delfín-Nieblas ◽  
Guadalupe Hernández-Escobedo ◽  
Jorge González ◽  
Aide Maldonado-Macías
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Manufacturing Company

scholarly journals Lowering the level of occupational exposure to noise in areas neighbouring compressor halls

2020 ◽  
Vol 305 ◽  
pp. 00044
Author(s):  
Sorin Simion ◽  
Alexandru Simion ◽  
Izabella Kovacs ◽  
Vlad Lautaru
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Exposure Level ◽  
Occupational Hazards ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Occupational Noise Exposure ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
Acoustic Comfort ◽  
Noise Measurements

A general problem in the vicinity of industrial compressors is the noise generated in the working environment by their operation. A large number of workers suffer from hearing problems caused by exposure to high levels of noise in the workplace. Thus, legal provisions regulating occupational noise exposure aim to reduce the risk of hearing loss by reducing noise level, the most effective measures being those applied directly to the noise source combined with the use of hearing protection. Quantification of noise exposure level and mitigation of occupational hazards generated by it at each workplace is required in order to prevent accidents and occupational diseases. The current paper analyses how noise generated by industrial compressors influences worker’s activity. Prevention of noise exposure must be based on noise level measurements. In this sense, the purpose of the paper is to analyse noise measurements performed at a compressor hall and to compare the values obtained with limit values set by in force legislation, in order to apply the best technical organizational methods for lowering noise exposure and increasing acoustic comfort in order to improve working conditions of those working in the compressor hall.

scholarly journals Long-Term Comparative Evaluation of Acoustic Climate in Selected Schools Before and After Acoustic Treatment

2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Józef Kotus ◽  
Maciej Szczodrak ◽  
Andrzej Czyżewski ◽  
Bożena Kostek
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Multimedia Systems ◽  
Noise Characteristics ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Measurement Results ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Noise Measurements ◽  
Acoustic Treatment

AbstractThe results of long-term continuous noise measurements in two selected schools are presented in the paper. Noise characteristics were measured continuously there for approximately 16 months. Measurements started eight months prior to the acoustic treatment of the school corridors of both schools. An evaluation of the acoustic climates in both schools, before and after the acoustic treatment, was performed based on comparison of these two periods of continuous measurements. The autonomous noise monitoring stations, engineered at the Multimedia Systems Department of the Gdańsk University of Technology were used for this purpose. Investigations of measured noise, especially its influence on hearing sense, assessed on ground of spectral analyses in critical bands, is discussed. Effects of occupational noise exposure, including the Temporary Threshold Shift simulation, are determined. The correlation of the above said measurement results with respective instantaneous noise levels is discussed, and concluding remarks are presented. Some additional indicators such as air pollution or video analysis aiming at the analysis of corridor occupancy are also measured. It should be remembered that excessive noise, or air pollution may be evidence of a dangerous event and may pose health risks.

scholarly journals Preschool Personnel Exposure to Occupational Noise

2016 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 300-307
Author(s):  
Darja Kaļužnaja ◽  
Svetlana Lakiša
Keyword(s):  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Preschool Education ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Health Complaints ◽  
Occupational Noise ◽  
Loud Noise ◽  
Subjective Health Complaints ◽  
Preschool Classrooms ◽  
Noise Measurements

Abstract Increased noise, which is also below the occupational exposure values and is “hearing safe” noise, affects the exposed person’s health as a non-specific stressor. Increased noise level also creates an environment for additional vocal apparatus load. The objective of this study was to determine preschool personnel occupational noise and its relationship with subjective health complaints. Data were obtained with survey assistance through subjective answers of respondents about health complaints and noise exposure among Rīga preschool personnel. Objective noise measurements were made to assess real noise levels in the preschool environment. Data from 155 respondents and objective measurements of 37 preschool classrooms were obtained. The results showed that the average 8-h noise exposure among Rīga preschool educational institutions was 70 dB(A), which did not exceed the Latvian work environment noise limits, but exceeded the 35–40 dB(A) noise limit in the educational environment guidelines recommended by the WHO. The survey results showed that loud noise is one of the most important workplace environmental factors (~70% of respondents feel a necessity to increase voice because of noise). A constant feeling of fatigue, headache, irritable feeling, and a desire to isolate oneself from others more often occurred in respondents exposed to increased noise, compared with those who noted that they were not exposed to increased noise. In general, loud noise was associated with increased subjective health complaints in preschool education institution personnel.

scholarly journals Land Use Regression Modeling of Outdoor Noise Exposure in Informal Settlements in Western Cape, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloé Sieber ◽  
Martina S. Ragettli ◽  
Mark Brink ◽  
Olaniyan Toyib ◽  
Roslyn Baatjies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Sound Level ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Land Use Regression ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Noise Measurements

In developing countries, noise exposure and its negative health effects have been little explored. The present study aimed to assess the noise exposure situation in adults living in informal settings in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. We conducted continuous one-week outdoor noise measurements at 134 homes in four different areas. These data were used to develop a land use regression (LUR) model to predict A-weighted day-evening-night equivalent sound level (Lden) from geographic information system (GIS) variables. Mean noise exposure during day (6:00-18:00) was 60.0 A-weighted decibels (dB(A)) (interquartile range 56.9-62.9 dB(A)), during night (22:00-6:00) 52.9 dB(A) (49.3-55.8 dB(A)) and average Lden was 63.0 dB(A) (60.1-66.5 dB(A)). Main predictors of the LUR model were related to road traffic and household density. Model performance was low (adjusted R2=0.130) suggesting that other influences than represented in the geographic predictors are relevant for noise exposure. This is one of the few studies on the noise exposure situation in low- and middle-income countries. It demonstrates that noise exposure levels are high in these settings.

scholarly journals Managing occupational risks of greenhouse workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 00149
Author(s):  
Roman Chaplin ◽  
Svetlana Zhukova ◽  
Sergei Istomin ◽  
Sergey Fomin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Reference System ◽  
Management System ◽  
Hazard Identification ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Industrial Complex ◽  
Labor Protection ◽  
Length Of Service ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Agroindustrial Complex

The article analyzes the results of a study on the implementation of an information system for managing occupational risks at a protected ground agro-industrial complex enterprise. By using the author’s model of an automated information and reference system for assessing and controlling occupational risks, which contains the main elements of an occupational risk management system – a hazard identification block, an occupational risk analysis and assessment block, and an occupational risk management block, the company’s management builds a strategy to increase the efficiency of the labor protection management system, expanding its operational and functional capabilities. The amount of occupational risk is calculated according to the author’s method based on the information entered in the database of the automated information and reference system, according to such parameters as: health status, length of service, age, qualification of the employee, training in labor protection requirements and violation of labor protection requirements by a specific employee, category risk for identified industrial hazards. The introduction of an automated information and reference system for assessing occupational risks at the protected ground agroindustrial complex enterprise allowed not only to see possible risks, but also to accurately calculate their level, and to develop preventive measures to manage the identified risks.

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