ASSESSMENT OF THE ACOUSTIC EXPOSURE ON INDUSTRIAL WORKERS

Abstract: Practical experience in the assessment of occupational risk from exposure to excessive noise levels allows us to identify a number of problems. The main ones are the lack of adequate information about the levels of impacting noise and full control of the effects from the health side. The analysis of international experience indicates the need to introduce new approaches to monitoring noise levels into domestic practice, including using individual monitoring devices that minimize the contribution of uncertainties; and identification of the realized effects of its impact, including mandatory audiometry when applying for a job and annual monitoring of the dynamics of hearing changes; evaluation of the effectiveness of the applied PPE in real production conditions.

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Predictors of Hearing Protection Use Among Industrial Workers

Workplace Health & Safety ◽

10.1177/2165079917693019 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 65 (8) ◽

pp. 365-371 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kunlayanee Tantranont ◽

Nuntanat Codchanak

Keyword(s):

Role Modeling ◽

Hearing Protection ◽

Industrial Workers ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Manufacturing Plants ◽

Interpersonal Support ◽

Hearing Status ◽

Interpersonal Factors ◽

Protection Devices ◽

Excessive Noise

Promoting the use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) can prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among workers who are exposed to excessive noise. In the present study, the authors examine factors that may explain HPD use among industrial workers from 15 manufacturing plants in Thailand. Participants consisted of 268 randomly selected workers exposed to harmful noise levels for which routine HPD use was required. Logistic regression analysis of study variables revealed the most powerful predictors of HPD use were perceived hearing status ( b = 0.66, p < .001) and interpersonal factors (i.e., role modeling and interpersonal support; b = 0.20, p < .001). Together, these variables correctly classified 63.4% of the cases. These findings have implications for interventions aimed at motivating workers to use HPDs regularly.

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

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17176122 ◽

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.

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Hearing impairment among workers occupationally exposed to excessive levels of noise

Open Medicine ◽

10.2478/s11536-007-0034-2 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 313-318 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pavlina Gidikova ◽

Gospodinka Prakova ◽

Petar Ruev ◽

Gergana Sandeva

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Hearing Impairment ◽

Otoacoustic Emissions ◽

Gradual Increase ◽

Pure Tone Audiometry ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Distortion Products ◽

Occupationally Exposed ◽

Intermittent Noise ◽

Excessive Noise

AbstractPure tone audiometry screening and ear examinations were conducted among 138 males working as machine and equipment operators occupationally exposed to intermittent noise of 85 to 105 dBA. Hearing loss up to 30 dB (preserved socially adequate hearing) was found in 25 workers. The hearing impairment was confirmed by distortion products of otoacoustic emissions measurements. A sharp increase in the frequency of cases can be found among the workers with service length over 10 years. While the frequency of the cases among workers with service length below 10 years is 5.45%, it is 26.5% among the subjects with service length over 10 years, with a gradual increase as a result of the increase in exposure duration. A positive correlation (p < 0.05) was found between the frequency of hearing impairment among the workers and the years of exposure to excessive noise levels. Some measures for preventing occupational noise-induced hearing loss were suggested.

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The level of noise In the surroundings of public transport vehicles

AUTOBUSY – Technika Eksploatacja Systemy Transportowe ◽

10.24136/atest.2019.021 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1-2) ◽

pp. 128-131

Author(s):

Karolina Trzyniec

Keyword(s):

Public Transport ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Limit Values ◽

Normative Documents ◽

The City ◽

Excessive Noise

The article discusses the problem of excessive noise levels In the city. Especially, this concerns Communications noise, which is caused by public transport, such as: trans, buses and trams. The level of noise emitted by these vehicles was analyzed, ta king into account different hours and the measured values were compared with the limit values set In the normative documents (the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of June, 14, 2017)

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EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE NOISE AND VIBRATION OF A SPECIAL BORING MACHINE DUE TO FORMATION OF THE OPERATOR´S WORKPLACE SOUND FIELD

Akustika ◽

10.36336/akustika201934100 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 ◽

pp. 100-103

Author(s):

Alexander Shashurin ◽

Marat Goguadze ◽

Anna Lubianchenko

Keyword(s):

Theoretical Analysis ◽

Sound Pressure ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Sound Radiation ◽

Sound Field ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Noise And Vibration ◽

Measurement Results ◽

Sound Pressure Levels ◽

Excessive Noise

The purpose of this study is to measure the octave sound pressure levels and vibrations of a boring machine. A theoretical analysis of the sound pressure levels near the boring machine is performed. The measurement results are given. It was found that the workplace sound pressure levels exceed the sanitary standards, which suggests that the excessive noise levels are due to the exposure to the cutter sound radiation and the axis being machined.

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Pengukuran Kebisingan di SD Swasta di Kota Medan untuk Meningkatkan Daya Belajar

Talenta Conference Series Energy and Engineering (EE) ◽

10.32734/ee.v2i2.431 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Chalis Fajri Hasibuan ◽

Syarifah Muthia Putri

Keyword(s):

Elementary School ◽

Elementary Schools ◽

Human Health ◽

Noise Level ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Community Activities ◽

Work Community ◽

Different Levels ◽

Threshold Point ◽

Excessive Noise

Bunyi enak didengar kegiatan dalam tingkatan dan waktu tertentu yang menyebabkan gangguan kesehatan manusia dan kenyamanan lingkungan disebut kebisingan. Banyak pekerjaan/kegiatan masyarakat yang bisa menyebabkan kebisingan dalam tingkatan intensitas yang berbeda-beda. Jika mendengarkan kebisingan yang lama secara berlebihan di kelas dapat menimbulkan ketidaknyamanan pendengaran dan dapat mengakibatkan penurunan niat dalam belajar. Adapun yang menjadi tujuan penelitian adalah. Menghitung tingkat kebisingan di SD SwastaMedan, Menentukan zona kebisingan di area SD SwastaMedan., Mengurangi tingkat kebisingan dengan dibuat rekayasa kebisingan untuk sekolah. Tingkat Kebisingan pada SD Muhammadiyah 05 Medan setelah dilakukan pengukuran menggunkaan alat sound lavel meter diperoleh 5 titik pengukuran, yang nilai kebisingannya melewati ambang batas, yang telah ditentukan Titik 1 = 64.76 dB, Titik 2 = 64.45 dB, Titik 3 = 65.22 dB, Titik 7 = 61.48 dB, Titik 8 = 64.94 dB. Sounds are pleasant to hear activities at a certain level and time which causes disruption of human health and comfort of the environment called noise. Many work / community activities can cause noise at different levels of intensity. If you listen to excessive noise excessively in class, it can cause hearing discomfort and can lead to a decrease in intention to learn. The purpose of the research is. Calculate the noise level in private elementary schools, determine the noise zone in the private elementary school area, reduce noise levels by making noise engineering for schools. Noise Levels at Muhammadiyah Elementary School 05 Medan after measurement using a lavel meter sound instrument obtained 5 measurement points, the noise value exceeding the specified threshold Point 1 = 64.76 dB, Point 2 = 64.45 dB, Point 3 = 65.22 dB, Point 7 = 61.48 dB, Point 8 = 64.94 dB.

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Comparison of Low-Noise Air Nozzles: A Pilot Study

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1541931213601822 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 1356-1359

Author(s):

Menekse Salar ◽

M. Fehmi Capanoglu ◽

Anjaneya Bandekar ◽

Richard F. Sesek

Keyword(s):

Occupational Safety ◽

Health Hazard ◽

Low Noise ◽

Sound Level ◽

Air Pressure ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Physiological Impact ◽

Level Meter ◽

Low Noise Design ◽

Excessive Noise

Excessive noise is a global occupational health hazard with considerable social and physiological impact, including noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) (Nelson et al., 2005). Noise is one of the most common occupational hazards in American workplaces. This study was performed in the Occupational Safety and Ergonomics Program’s Biomechanics Laboratory at Auburn University. The main purpose of this study was to compare the noise levels made by different air nozzles actually used by a bakery facility to nozzles whose manufacturers purported that they produce significantly less noise. Noise levels were determined using a sound level meter, which was positioned at ear level at distances of 5 and 10 feet. At the factory, air pressure (~100 psi) was used to push product downstream and to speed product cooling. The nozzles used were simple pipes or traditional air nozzles with side venting, but not of a “low noise” design. Two nozzles used by the factory were compared to three quieter nozzles. Nozzles were tested for both noise level and for air pressure (pushing force).

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Modern Neonatal Transport: Sound and Vibration Levels and Their Impact on Physiological Stability

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1668171 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (04) ◽

pp. 352-359

Author(s):

Vickie Bailey ◽

Kristi Cagle ◽

Deborah Kurtz ◽

Hala Chaaban ◽

Dee Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Index ◽

Vital Signs ◽

Whole Body ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Neonatal Transport ◽

Sound Levels ◽

Ambulance Transport ◽

Ground Ambulance ◽

Rotary Wing ◽

Excessive Noise

Objective To measure sound and vibration in rotary wing air transport (RWAT) and ground ambulance transport (GAT), comparing them to current recommendations, and correlating them with physiological stability measures in transported neonates. Study Design This is a prospective cohort observational study including infants ≤ 7 days of age transported over an 8-month period. Infants with neurologic conditions were excluded. Sound and vibration was continuously measured during transport. Transport Risk Index of Physiologic Stability (TRIPS) scores were calculated from vital signs as a proxy for physiological stability. Results In total, 118 newborns were enrolled, of whom 109 were analyzed: 67 in RWAT and 42 in GAT. Peak sound levels ranged from 80.4 to 86.4 dBA in RWAT and from 70.3 to 71.6 dBA in GAT. Whole-body vibration ranged from 1.68 to 5.09 m/s2 in RWAT and from 1.82 to 3.96 m/s2 in GAT. Interval TRIPS scores for each infant were not significantly different despite excessive sound and vibration. Conclusion Noise levels during neonatal transport exceed published recommendations for both RWAT and GAT and are higher in RWAT. Transported infants are exposed to vibration levels exceeding acceptable adult standards. Despite excessive noise and vibration, levels of physiological stability remained stable after transport in both RWAT and GAT groups.

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Practical aspects of occupational risk assessment from industrial noise exposure

Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology ◽

10.31089/1026-9428-2020-60-11-824-826 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (11) ◽

pp. 824-826

Author(s):

Sergey V. Martin ◽

Ivan N. Kudryashov ◽

Maksim A. Ivashchenko

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Noise Exposure ◽

Practical Experience ◽

Occupational Risk ◽

Measuring Instruments ◽

Noise Levels ◽

Uniformity Of Measurements ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Assessment Approach ◽

Noise Limit

Introduction. Today, there is an active application of the occupational risk assessment approach in hygiene practice. In particular, the employer is required to assess the risk of exceeding the production noise limit. The aim of study is to identify issues related to the performance of work on the assessment of occupational risk from noise exposure, based on practical experience. Materials and methods. The assessment of the probability of adverse effects on the health of specific individuals employed in more than a thousand jobs in various branches of Russian industry allows us to identify a number of practical problems. Results. The main problem is the lack of information about the levels of impacting noise that is suitable for constructing subsequent stages of research. One option is the absence of annual monitoring of noise with possible variability in the level of exposure in dynamics. Also, when performing control, there is the use of measuring instruments that do not meet the requirements for ensuring the uniformity of measurements. Often, we are faced with the lack of a fixed identification of workplaces that allows us to track the levels of impacting noise in dynamics. The priority was to support the risk assessment work by conducting control measurements of noise levels with the priority use of personal noise meters to minimize the contribution of uncertainties. Conclusions. The analysis of international experience shows the need to introduce new approaches to monitoring noise levels and the implemented effects of its impact on the part of the hearing organ, including monitoring the accumulated doses, the introduction of a" noise professional route", mandatory audiometry when hiring and annual monitoring of the dynamics of hearing changes; evaluating the effectiveness of the used personal hearing protection equipment (PHPE) in real production conditions.

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