Occupational Noise Exposure among Toll Tellers at Toll Plaza in Malaysia

Abstract

Toll tellers working at toll plaza have potential of exposure to high noise from the vehicles especially for the peak level of sound emitted by the heavy vehicles. However, occupational exposures in this workplace have not been adequately characterized and identified. Occupational noise exposure among toll tellers at toll plaza was assessed using Sound Level Meter, Noise Dosimeter and through questionnaire survey. These data were combined to estimate the work shift exposure level and health impacts to the toll tellers by using statistical analysis. Noise Dosimeter microphone was located at the hearing zone of the toll teller which working inside the toll booth and full-period measurements were collected for each work shift. The measurements were taken at 20 toll booths from 6.00am to 2.00pm for 5 days. 71 respondents participated in the survey to identify the symptoms of noise induced hearing loss and other health related problems among toll tellers. Results of this study indicated that occupational noise exposure among toll tellers for Mean Continuous Equivalent Level, L eq was 79.2 ± 1.4 dB(A), Mean Maximum Level, L max was 107.8 ± 3.6 dB(A) and Mean Peak Level, L peak was 136.6 ± 9.9 dB. The Peak Level reported statistically significantly at 140 dB, the level of TLV recommended by ACGIH. The research findings indicated that the primary risk exposure to toll tellers comes from noise that emitted from heavy vehicles. Most of the toll tellers show symptoms of noise induced hearing loss and annoyed by the sources of noise at the toll plaza.

A vision of the environmental and occupational noise pollution in Malaysia

“…Azmi et al [17] 2012 Residents 82 TRS The traffic noise index increased drastically with the presence of TRS, recorded the mean peak level of 82 dBA…”

“…The discomfort related to the continuous exposure of traffic noise at the Sungai Besi Toll Collection Plaza, located at Seri Kembangan, Selangor among the highway toll plaza employees, highway maintenance and repair crews, and highway inspector has been explored by Azmi et al [17] The potential of noise exposure was assessed using sound level meter and noise dosimeter according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) occupational exposure sampling strategy manual and ISO 9612 Acoustic-Guidelines, [18] at 20 toll booths for 5 days. The questionnaire survey that divided into four sections, demographic, workplace information, perception toward noise and symptoms of potential NIHL was participated by 71 workers.…”