Predictors of Hearing Protection Behavior Among Power Plant Workers

Kim, Youngmi; Ihnsook, Jeong; Hong, OiSaeng

doi:10.1016/s1976-1317(10)60002-3

Cited by 15 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…[4] Several factors are reported to influence the wearing of hearing protection: Health beliefs, perceived risk, perceived probability of risk, perceived benefits, and comfort of wearing the device. [5][6][7][8] New Zealand data suggest that a high proportion of hearing loss claims come from the manufacturing sector and plant and machine operators. [2] Previous New Zealand research into of occupational exposure found that just half the plant and machine operators, assemblers, and elementary workers who worked in noisy environments reported hearing protection use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hearing protection use in manufacturing workers: A qualitative study

et al. 2012

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Occupational noise is a significant contributor to disabling hearing loss worldwide. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has resulted in huge human and economic consequences costing New Zealand approximately $53M annually and rising. A high proportion of hearing loss claims are made by workers in the manufacturing sector. Hearing protection devices (HPDs) are used together with engineering and administrative controls to minimize noise exposure and to prevent hearing loss. Unfortunately, inconsistent and improper use of HPDs has hindered efforts to prevent NIHL. The purpose of this study was to understand the factors that influence the use of HPDs amongst a group of manufacturing workers in New Zealand. A purposive sample of twenty-five workers was recruited to take part in semi-structured interviews. The open-ended questions were aimed at exploring the participants' knowledge, attitude, beliefs, and behavior towards noise and HPDs. The data were analyzed using conventional content analysis and key themes emerged in relation to HPD use. Themes that emerged from the interviews either supported good hearing protection behavior or acted as barriers against it. Five major themes, (perception of noise, hearing preservation, reluctance to use HPDs, workplace interaction, and value of hearing) and sub-themes described various factors that influence hearing protection use. Both personal and environmental factors influence the use of HPDs. Based on this study, personal and environmental factors need to be targeted for further research using ecological models to develop interventions that promote HPD use amongst workers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hearing protection use in manufacturing workers: A qualitative study

et al. 2012

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“…It is important to increase the awareness of workers by allowing them to self-perceive the risk of noise in their working environment. This is due to previous studies which showed that workers were reluctant to wear hearing protection devices (HPD) regularly and there was a low utilisation rate of hearing protection in workplaces [ 86 , 87 ]. The main reasons workers disregarded the protective function of HPD was that they could not self-perceive the risks of noise and had low self-efficacy in HPD use [ 88 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Stochastic Simulation Framework for the Prediction of Strategic Noise Mapping and Occupational Noise Exposure Using the Random Walk Approach

et al. 2015

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Strategic noise mapping provides important information for noise impact assessment and noise abatement. However, producing reliable strategic noise mapping in a dynamic, complex working environment is difficult. This study proposes the implementation of the random walk approach as a new stochastic technique to simulate noise mapping and to predict the noise exposure level in a workplace. A stochastic simulation framework and software, namely RW-eNMS, were developed to facilitate the random walk approach in noise mapping prediction. This framework considers the randomness and complexity of machinery operation and noise emission levels. Also, it assesses the impact of noise on the workers and the surrounding environment. For data validation, three case studies were conducted to check the accuracy of the prediction data and to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of this approach. The results showed high accuracy of prediction results together with a majority of absolute differences of less than 2 dBA; also, the predicted noise doses were mostly in the range of measurement. Therefore, the random walk approach was effective in dealing with environmental noises. It could predict strategic noise mapping to facilitate noise monitoring and noise control in the workplaces.

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“…Power plants are among the noisiest workplaces, with a large number of workers exposed to noise levels between 80-90 dB, according to routine noise monitoring [5]. Within such plants, major sources of noise include steam turbine generators (STG), combustion inlet filter house, and the exhaust stack or heat recovery steam generator (HRSG).…”

Section: Applied Environmental Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Hearing Loss among Workers in a Power Plant in Thailand

Watchalayann

Laokiat

2019

App. Envi. Res.

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Noise exposure in the working environment is a major cause of hearing impairment for workers; an audiogram hearing threshold level above 20 dB is considered irregular. In this study, audiometric data were analyzed with the objective of assessing hearing loss among power plant workers based on their age, noise exposure level, years of working, and work characteristics. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess hearing level data for 672 workers reserved by the Health Care Unit of the power plant. The most recent audiometric data presented during 2013-2015 were used in the statistical analysis at 5 % level of significance. It was found that the most dominant frequency with reference to age and work experience is the test frequency at 4,000 Hz. The most prominent suffering significant hearing loss for both ears is the age group of 50-60 years, consistent with more than 35 years of working. The most significant exposure level is noise level at 81-84 dBA for the left ear only. The work characteristics were found to be the most significant factor affecting hearing loss in both ears. The t-test reveals no significant difference in hearing loss in both ears at all test frequencies. Hearing loss is found to occur at 4,000 and 6,000 Hz; therefore, there is a necessity to implement noise control measures specifically for each work group. Although there is an educational and training program in the power plant, all workers should still be educated continuously on how to use hearing protection equipment correctly to enhance awareness of the hazards of noise to hearing. Periodic audiometry should be performed to early detect noise-induced hearing loss specifically the notch occurring at 4,000 and 6,000 Hz, together with engineering control in order to reduce unwanted sound.

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Predictors of Hearing Protection Behavior Among Power Plant Workers

Abstract: Social modeling and perceived benefits of using the HPDs are important for workers to keep minimal or certain level of using the HPDs.

Cited by 15 publications

References 11 publications

Hearing protection use in manufacturing workers: A qualitative study

Hearing protection use in manufacturing workers: A qualitative study

A Stochastic Simulation Framework for the Prediction of Strategic Noise Mapping and Occupational Noise Exposure Using the Random Walk Approach

Assessment of Hearing Loss among Workers in a Power Plant in Thailand

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