Assessment of the Noise Levels inside a Machine Shop for Occupational Safety

2016 ◽  
Vol 841 ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
Adina Cristina Toma ◽  
Ioana Luminita Dragasanu ◽  
Marius Deaconu ◽  
Dragos Mihai
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Machine Shop ◽  
Industry Sector ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Concert Halls

Commonly, millions of employees are exposed to occupational health issues, including noise exposure during working hours. Noise is most encountered in industry sector but can also be found in a wide range of other workplaces (airports, concert halls, offices, etc). In this article, we review the noise levels inside a machine shop, for a single working place, with the scope to assess the occupational safety, discuss research approach in identifying the noise issues, control and reduce it. Generally, noise exposure is an expensive issue, with many particularities to be solved and the exact cost is difficult to calculate. This study offers the perspective of what can be done for similar working places and how to perform this in order to protect the employees to be noise exposed above the legal noise limits and relevant conclusions are offered in this direction.

Research on consumers' health information consultation patterns

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-42
Author(s):  
Dan Wu ◽  
Hao Xu ◽  
Shu Fan
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Consumer Health Information ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Consumer Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range

PurposeThis paper aims to identify consumers' health information consultation patterns by analyzing information sources to better understand consumers' health information needs and behavior in the context of multisource health information.Design/methodology/approachHaodaifu Online, an online health consultation (OHC) website in China, was used as a research data source, and 20,000 consultation cases were collected from the website with Python. After screening and cleaning, 1,601 consultation cases were included in this study. A content analysis-based mixed-methods research approach was applied to analyze these cases.FindingsThe results indicate that with the participation of OHC, there are 15 patterns of consumer health information consultation. Besides OHC, health information sources reported by consumers included medical institutions family/friends and the Internet. Consumers consult on a wide range of health issues including surgical conditions obstetrical and gynecological conditions and other 20 subjects. Consumers have multiple information needs when using OHC: getting prescriptions, diagnosing diseases, making appointments, understanding illnesses, confirming diagnoses and reviewing costs. Through further analysis it was found that consumers’ health information consultation patterns were also significantly different in health issues and health information needs.Originality/valueThis study broadens one’s understanding of consumer health information behavior, which contributes to the field of health information behavior, and also provides insight for OHC stakeholders to improve their services.

Patterns and trends in OSHA occupational noise exposure measurements from 1979 to 2013

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie K Sayler ◽  
Benjamin J Roberts ◽  
Michael A Manning ◽  
Kan Sun ◽  
Richard L Neitzel
Keyword(s):  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Occupational Noise ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Noise Measurements ◽  
Over Time

ObjectivesNoise is one of the most common exposures, and occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is highly prevalent. In addition to NIHL, noise is linked to numerous non-auditory health effects. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) database of compliance-related measurements performed in various industries across the USA. The goal of the current study was to describe and analyse personal noise measurements available through the OSHA IMIS, identifying industries with elevated personal noise levels or increasing trends in worker exposure over time.MethodsThrough a Freedom of Information Act request, we obtained OSHA’s noise measurements collected and stored in IMIS between 1979 and 2013 and analysed permissible exposure limit (PEL) and action level (AL) criteria measurements by two-digit industry code.ResultsThe manufacturing industry represented 87.8% of the 93 920 PEL measurements and 84.6% of the 58 073 AL measurements. The highest mean noise levels were found among the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry for PEL (93.1 dBA) and the mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction group for AL (93.3 dBA). Overall, measurements generally showed a decreasing trend in noise levels and exceedances of AL and PEL by year, although this was not true for all industries.ConclusionsOur results suggest that, despite reductions in noise over time, further noise control interventions are warranted both inside and outside of the manufacturing industry. Further reductions in occupational noise exposures across many industries are necessary to continue to reduce the risk of occupational NIHL.

Temporary Threshold Shift Caused by Hearing Aid Use

1993 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 365-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Macrae
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Threshold Shift ◽  
Temporary Threshold Shift ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Hearing Aid Use ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Modified Power Law

Temporary threshold shift (TTS) over a wide range of frequencies was found after 4 hours of hearing aid use by a 15-year-old student with severe sensorineural hearing loss who was using real-ear insertion gains 10 to 20 dB greater than those recommended by the current National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) procedure for selecting the gain and frequency response of hearing aids. Measurements were made of her noise exposure during hearing aid use with a noise dosimeter. The real-ear insertion response and input-output function of her hearing aid were measured with a real-ear gain analyzer and were used to calculate in-ear noise levels from the noise levels measured by the dosimeter. The amount of TTS could be predicted from the in-ear noise levels and the student’s hearing levels (HLs) by means of a mathematical model consisting of the Modified Power Law (MPL) of Humes and Jesteadt (1991) combined with equations for predicting TTS in listeners with normal hearing published by Mills, Gilbert, and Adkins (1979). The mean of the instantaneous A-weighted in-ear noise levels proved to be the appropriate equivalent continuous level (ECL) for use in the predictions. The MPL was also used to determine safety limits for TTS due to hearing aid use. The observed TTS exceeded the safety limits at all frequencies up to and including 2000 Hz. It was therefore considered desirable for the girl to use less gain at frequencies from 500 to 1500 Hz.

Study on Occupational Safety in the Aggregates Sector

2013 ◽  
Vol 548 ◽  
pp. 363-370
Author(s):  
Jose Enrique Martín Suárez ◽  
Carla Iglesias Comesaña ◽  
Maria Paz Freire ◽  
Javier Taboada Castro
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Dust Control ◽  
Risk Prevention ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Survey Period ◽  
Mining Sector ◽  
National Rate

The aggregates sector is a key national and international mining sector in terms of both production and value. The rate of workplace accidents (number of accidents during working hours per 100,000 workers) for the mining sector in Spain is considerable, with the rate for Galicia below the national rate until 2007 and slightly above the national rate from 2007 to 2010. We analysed occupational risk prevention in the aggregates sector in Galicia in the three years 2005 to 2007, based on the information provided by 65 companies. This survey period was before the international crisis so the data provide an overview of the sector at its peak, when the consumption of construction aggregates was high. For the same reason the workplace accident rate was considerably higher than the current rate (corresponding to a period of low activity), so the described scenario can be considered as the most adverse situation in terms of occupational risks. The specific objectives of the study were to evaluate general occupational risk prevention management systems in companies in the mining sector and to study compliance with occupational noise exposure and dust control regulations. The information was gathered in the companies via a questionnaire administered in personal interviews. The occupational risk prevention management systems of aggregates companies in Galicia were evaluated and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the sector were identified.

Damage Risk: An Evaluation of the Effects of Exposure to 85 versus 90 dBA of Noise

1976 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
James T. Yates ◽  
Jerry D. Ramsey ◽  
Jay W. Holland
Keyword(s):  
White Noise ◽  
Statistical Difference ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Threshold Shift ◽  
Temporary Threshold Shift ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Potential Damage ◽  
Full Day ◽  
Damage Risk

The purpose of this study was to compare the damage risk of 85 and 90 dBA of white noise for equivalent full-day exposures. The damage risk of the two noise levels was determined by comparing the temporary threshold shift (TTS) of 12 subjects exposed to either 85 or 90 dBA of white noise for equivalent half- and full-day exposures. TTS was determined by comparing the pre- and postexposure binaural audiograms of each subject at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz. It was concluded that the potential damage risk, that is, hazardous effect, of 90 dBA is greater than 85 dBA of noise for equivalent full-day exposures. The statistical difference between the overall effects of equivalent exposures to 85 dBA as compared to 90 dBA of noise could not be traced to any one frequency. The damage risk of a full-day exposure to 85 dBA is equivalent to that of a half-day exposure to 90 dBA of noise. Within the limits of this study, TTS t was as effective as TTS 2 for estimating the damage risk of noise exposure.

A Study on Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Sewing Machine Operators

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekta . ◽  
Manju Mehta ◽  
Praveen Kumar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Textile Industry ◽  
Work Organization ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
The Body ◽  
Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Workplace Design ◽  
Sewing Machine ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Machine Operators

A musculoskeletal disorder is highly dependent on the workplace design. The workers whose job requires repetitive tasks, are more prone to this disorder. Textile industry is one of the labor intensive industries and most of its jobs require continuous engagement with the work. Sewing machine operators in this sector due to workplace design are facing high risk of health issues due to focused attention and static posture of the body. Understanding the health issues linked with continuous working hours and static posture need to be addressed. Both Government and non- government organizations need to be better involved in designing interventions targeting these people and protecting them from such health risks.The present study was conducted in Hisar district from Haryana state in which respondents were selected randomly. Total number of respondents were 60 in which 28 were males and 32 were females with objectives to assess work organization and work space design and to find out the occupational health problems and musculoskeletal symptoms among sewing machine operators. The results showed that maximum numbers of the respondents (68.4%) were took break of fixed duration and (53.4%) respondents were work along with others. Majority (43.3%) respondents were the first experience of MSK symptoms from 7 days to 12 months followed by (33.3%) respondents in 2-3 years.

Aircraft Noise Levels, Annoyance and General Health of Residents of Communities contiguous to a Major Airport in Lagos State

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 47-59
Author(s):  
Iheanyichukwu M. Elechi
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
General Health ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Aircraft Noise ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
General Health Status ◽  
Lagos State ◽  
Distant Location ◽  
Self Reported Health Status

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the aircraft noise exposure, annoyance reactions and health status of the residents living within the vicinity of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA) in Lagos state, Nigeria. Aircraft noise monitoring was conducted in five locations within the vicinity (0-5Km) of MMA, and a sixth distant location (14km away). Levels of aircraft noise for all five locations within the vicinity of the airport exceeded the EPA Victoria threshold of 75 dB LAmax for the residential area (outdoor). A survey on annoyance induced by aircraft noise exposure and general health status was conducted on 450 local residents in the study locations using the International Commission on Biological Effect of Noise question and a single question that has been applied in Dutch national health care surveys since 1983 on self-reported general health status respectively. Percentage of residents within the vicinity of MMA that were highly annoyed (%HA) exceeded 15% guideline limit stipulated by Federal Interagency Committee on Urban Noise while 14.5% reported poor health status. There was a significant association between the annoyance reactions and aircraft noise levels in the study locations while the association between self-reported health status and aircraft noise levels was not significant. Taken together, the residents within the vicinity of the airport are exposed to aircraft noise levels above permissible limit which may be associated with high annoyance reaction but may not be associated with poor health rating. Evidence-based aircraft noise related policies by government are advocated.

Occupational Safety and Health of Laundry Employees in Hotel Industry

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankush Ambardar
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Employee Safety ◽  
Employee Protection ◽  
Chemical Hazards ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Day To Day Operations ◽  
And Performance

Employee safety and health is considered to be one of the major important human resource functions for any hotel organization. The current paper focuses on the application of occupational safety and health of laundry employees looking at the nature of the tasks performed in day to day operations. OSH is one of the significant factors responsible for employees inspiration and moreover retention in a hotel organization. Health, safety and performance of the employees are dependent on understanding and application of ergonomic practices followed during laundry operations. The paper explores laundry employee protection against various critical factors such as injuries, accidents, work postures, chemical exposure, heat, fire, noise, etc. A questionnaire was used to perpetuate perception of laundry employees in regard to protection from factors concerning safety and health issues from hotels of India. The results reveal that some of the OSH practices are been followed in hotels, while some were missing from hotels such as training, periodical audit and protection against chemical hazards. The present study suggests need for adopting OSH practices and enforcing periodical check for the same in every hotel besides of its categorization.

scholarly journals Exploring Suppliers’ Approaches toward Workplace Safety Compliance in the Global Garment Sector: From Bangladesh Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Md Sultan Mahmood ◽  
Nilima Haque Ruma ◽  
Toufiq Ahmed ◽  
Yukari Nagai
Keyword(s):  
Case Study Research ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Workplace Safety ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Labor Laws ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Safety Compliance ◽  
Health Rights

The readymade garment (RMG) sector is one of the main drivers of the Bangladesh economy with over 4 million employed. In the 2013 Rana Plaza accident aftermath, the implementation of workplace safety compliance (WSC) became imperative. The paper investigated the WSC initiatives implemented by the RMG sector to overcome safety challenges and their effectiveness for a safe and healthy workplace. We employed a multi-case study research strategy over three Bangladeshi garment manufacturers to resolve these queries. The result revealed that the manufacturers joined in the safety governance programs to protect workers’ health safety rights immediately after the accidents. They participated in inspections and remediations programs over structural, electrical, and fire protection as a priority. Moreover, several other human rights conventions, national labor laws and, buyer code of conduct were also adopted as regulatory and voluntary initiatives to settle workers’ health rights and social needs. The WSC enforcement empowered workers to bargain their rights toward a safe workplace and made them responsible for responding during an emergency. Finally, the paper argues that the WSC in the RMG sector nowadays covers a wide range of initiatives in three broad areas: physical environment safety, workers’ health issues, and workers’ rights.

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