Noise exposure assessment among groundskeepers in a university setting: A pilot study

Abstract

Approximately 870,000 U.S. workers are employed as landscaping and groundskeeping workers who perform various tasks and use a variety of tools that expose them to high noise levels, increasing their risk to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Several studies on noise exposure and NIHL in other job sectors have been published, but those on groundskeepers are very limited. This study aims to characterize the noise exposure of groundskeepers. Participants were monitored over their entire work shift for personal noise exposure by wearing noise dosimeters at shoulder level, 4 in from the ear. Using two different dosimeter settings (OSHA and NIOSH), the time-weighted averages (TWAs) and 1-min averages of noise exposure levels in decibels (dBA) were obtained. The participants were also asked to fill out an activity card daily to document their tasks, tools used, location and noise perception. Sound pressure levels (SPLs) produced by various groundskeeping equipment and tools were measured at full throttle near the ear of the operator using a sound level meter. These measurements were used to assess worker noise exposure profiles, particularly the contributing source of noise. The overall mean OSHA and NIOSH TWA noise exposures were 82.2±9.2 (range of 50.9-100 dBA) and 87.8±6.6 dBA (range of 67.2-102.9 dBA), respectively. Approximately 46% of the OSHA TWAs exceeded the OSHA action limit of 85 dBA. About 76% of the NIOSH TWAs exceeded 85 dBA, and 42% exceeded 90 dBA. The SPLs of equipment and tools measured ranged from 75- 106 dBA, most of which were at above 85 dBA and within the 90-100 dBA range. Hand-held power tools and ride-on equipment without enclosed cab may have contributed significantly to worker noise exposure. This study demonstrates that groundskeepers may be routinely exposed to noise levels above the OSHA and NIOSH exposure limits, and that the implementation of effective hearing conservation programs is necessary to reduce their risk to NIHL.

Safety climate, hearing climate and hearing protection device use among transportation road maintainers

“…Transportation maintenance workers or “maintainers” are construction trade workers within the transportation sector who maintain and repair roadways while performing seasonal tasks including snow plowing, tree removal, road paving, and mowing. High‐noise tasks include applying asphalt (90 dBA), sewer maintenance (100‐109 dBA), street maintenance (84‐105 dBA), clearing brush while using a chain saw (105‐108 dBA) or wood chipper (102‐105 dBA), lawn maintenance with a riding mower (88‐96 dBA) or weed trimmer (98‐101 dBA) . Maintainers’ noise exposures are above the United State's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) action level of 85 dBA, and are also variable, changing between and within days with each new task.…”

Assessment of Occupational Noise Exposure among Groundskeepers in North Carolina Public Universities

“…30 Balanay et al described recommended noise source control and noise exposure reduction measures specifically for groundskeepers, including engineering and administrative controls, and hearing protection. 20 Engineering controls include the purchase or renting of less noisy tools and equipment through the participation of universities in the NIOSH Buy Quiet Program, 31 retrofitting ride-on equipment with enclosed cabs, and regular equipment maintenance. 20 Many of these engineering control strategies are recommended in controlling noise in other industries, such as construction.…”

“…Monitoring for personal noise exposure of groundskeepers using noise dosimeters has been previously described. 20 Each noise-monitoring exercise covered the full work shift (typically 8-10 hours). Noise dosimetry was conducted for 45 monitoring days from June to August 2014, and from April to June 2015.…”

“…The information from each activity card was matched to the corresponding noise dosimeter data as previously described. 20 source noise measurement. The measurement of the maximum sound pressure levels (SPLs) from different groundskeeping tools and equipment as noise sources using a sound level meter, including the calibration of the sound level meter, has been previously described.…”

“…In a recent pilot study, which is the only published study to our knowledge on such work group on noise exposure, groundskeepers employed in a university were found to be excessively exposed to noise. 20 The purpose of this study was to expand on the pilot study by assessing the occupational noise exposure of groundskeepers employed in three public universities in NC, and by evaluating the association between noise exposure and certain variables, such as university, month, and tool used, as these may contribute to differences in the groundskeepers' noise exposures. Month as a variable may assess the seasonality of noise exposures; different universities may have different landscaping features that may affect the type of tasks performed by workers, and have different policies affecting worker noise exposures; and certain equipment and tools may be more associated with higher noise exposures than others due to the noise they produce and the duration of time they are used.…”