Izvorni znanstveni članak
NOISE-INDUCED HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN SAWMILL WORKERS
Milica Gomzi
; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i imedicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
SUMMARY: Investigation was conducted on a sample group of sawmill workers in order to determine whether different types of working tasks affect the workers’ hearing loss and injury frequency. Noise frequency analysis and audiometric testing of workers' hearing have been performed. During several years of testing a noise level of 69 – 103 decibel was measured in the production plant. A total of 39% workers, 79% sawmill workers and 26% maintenance workers, was exposed to excessive noise levels. Hearing loss greater that 25 dB was found in 37% sawmill workers and 24% maintenance workers. In the hearing impairment group the annual prevalence rate of work-related injuries was greater than in workers with normal hearing (69‰ : 35‰), and in sawmill workers greater than in maintenance workers (64‰ : 36‰). Sawmill workers are exposed to very high noise levels, they do not use protective devices sufficiently and suffer from significant hearing impairment, which partly causes heightened injury frequency rates and calls for a strict implementation of workplace safety measures.
Ključne riječi
sawmill; occupational exposure; noise; workplace injury
Hrčak ID:
45332
URI
Datum izdavanja:
22.12.2009.
Posjeta: 2.233 *