Occupational noise induced hearing loss in the mining sector in South Africa: Perspectives from occupational health practitioners on how mineworkers are trained

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of occupational health practitioners (OHPs) regarding education and training of mineworkers on occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) and its impact on mineworkers’ health. Qualitative, in-depth telephonic and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 16 OHPs. Purposive and snowball sampling was utilized to recruit participants. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Three themes emerged from the data: seeing is believing, not my department, barriers and facilitators to raising awareness (with two subthemes -blame it on the language and level of education, and compensation pay-outs). Superficially, OHPs believe that mineworkers are aware of the impact of noise health, however, the OHPs are not knowledgeable on how the mineworkers are educated on ONIHL and its latent consequences. Furthermore, language, low levels of education and literacy, as well as financial constraints are factors found to affect education and training of the mineworkers about the risks of ONIHL. If the mining industry is committed in eliminating ONIHL, they should prioritize health literacy, and mines need to have an effective awareness raising plan in place at every mine. This plan should consider diversity of the workforce, including linguistic as well as educational level diversity.

Translation and Validation of the Hearing Protection Assessment Scale in Turkish: Reliability and Validity Study

“…20 Culturally specific identification of these factors is crucial and may require culturespecific intervention programs, such as those addressing linguistic and educational level diversity. 21 Studies with HPA-2-Tr scale in our country can provide fundamental information for developing intervention programs specific to our culture. Considering the non-audiological effects of noise, including hearing problems, cardiovascular diseases, sleep problems, and cognitive problems, the importance of research on this subject with specific measurement tools becomes more prominent.…”

Development of an artificial intelligence based occupational noise induced hearing loss early warning system for mine workers

“…Additionally, education and training should form part of HCPs where the goal is to raise employees’ and supervisors’ awareness about the risks of ONIHL ( Moroe et al, 2018 ), proper use of HPDs ( Ntlhakana et al, 2015 ), and the importance of complying with hearing conservation measures. For HCPs to be successful, legislation and regulations dictate that employers must maintain records of noise measurements, risk assessments, audiometric tests, and training provided to employees, and that these records should be readily available for inspection by relevant authorities ( Amedofu and Fuente, 2008 ; Moroe N., 2020 ). Compliance with and enforcement of these regulations and legislation is the responsibility of the South African Department of Employment and Labour, which is responsible for enforcing occupational health and safety regulations, including those related to ONIHL.…”

“…Compliance issues around hearing conservation regulations where employers struggle to meet the requirements for noise measurements, risk assessments, audiometric testing, and recordkeeping, mostly due to some employers not prioritizing hearing conservation or attempting to cut costs by disregarding regulations ( Khoza-Shangase, 2022 ). Linguistic, cultural and behavioral factors where, for example, attitudes towards wearing HPDs pose challenges; and the language used for training and education is incongruent with the employees ( Moroe N., 2020 ). Effective enforcement and monitoring can be a challenge, influenced by insufficient resources and limited inspections by regulatory authorities resulting in inadequate enforcement of regulations and insufficient follow-up on non-compliant mines ( Khoza-Shangase, 2022 ); and cumulative noise exposure and burden of disease (HIV/AIDS and TB) where some employees are exposed to high noise levels from multiple sources, both in their occupational and non-occupational environments, and suffer concurrent toxins exposure where they are on ototoxic treatments for HIV/AIDS and TB ( Khoza-Shangase, 2022 ), thus increasing their risk of ONIHL and making it more challenging to control and mitigate the effects solely through workplace HCPs that do not take these factors into account.…”

A simulation experiment study to examine the effects of noise on miners’ safety behavior in underground coal mines

“…Basner et al [15] studied the effects of noise on hearing, and found hearing loss caused by noise is very common in working environments. Studies [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] have also found that high noise levels can cause hearing loss and general health problems. Masterson et al [23] studied the hearing loss of workers exposed to noise from 2003 to 2012 and found 76% mining workers are exposed to dangerous noise.…”