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The extent of noise in five printing companies in Novi Sad, Serbia, was determined using TES-1358A Sound Analyzer with RS-232 Interface. The data on equivalent A-level (dBA), as well as, maximum and minimum sound pressure levels were collected. It was found that folders and offset printing units are the predominant noise sources, with the average L (eq) levels of 87.66 and 82.7 dBA, respectively. Forty percent of the machines produced noise levels above the limiting threshold level of 85 dBA, allowed by law. The noise in all printing companies was dominated by higher frequency noise, and the maximum level mostly appeared at 4,000 Hz. For offset printing machines and folders, the means of L (eq) levels exceeded the permissible levels given by NR-80 curve at higher frequencies. There are no published studies of occupational noise and hearing impairment of workers exposed to hazardous noise in printing industry in Serbia. More extensive studies are needed to determine the exact impact of noise on the workers. Technical and organizational measures in order to control noise and prevent noise exposure, and general hearing conservation program to protect workers, should be introduced in printing industry.

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Occupational noise exposure and hearing loss among pulse processing workers

Patel

Ingle

2007

Environmentalist

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Occupational noise exposure and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has been recognised as a problem among workers in Indian industries. The major industries in India are based on the processing of agricultural products. There are appreciable numbers of pulse processing units spread throughout the country. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hearing loss among pulse processing workers. As a part of hearing protection intervention, audiometric tests were conducted at the binaural low (250-1,500 Hz), the binaural mid (1,500-4,000 Hz) and the binaural high (3,000-8,000 Hz) frequency averages. The prevalence of hearing loss was determined based on hearing threshold levels (HTLs) with a low fence of 25 dB. Over 50% of pulse processing workers (dana bazaar and dal mill) showed hearing loss in the noise-sensitive higher (binaural mid and high) frequencies. The rate of hearing loss was particularly high among workers in the dal mill. The analyses show a higher risk of prevalence of hearing loss among the dal mill workers compared to the workers associated with the grain preprocessing activities. The study shows alarming signals of NIHL, especially in the dal mill workers. The occupational exposure to noise could be minimised by efficient control measures through engineering controls, administrative controls and the use of personal protective devices. Applications of engineering and/or administrative controls are frequently not feasible in developing countries for technical and financial reasons. A complete hearing conservation programme, including training, audiometry and the use of hearing protection devices, is the most feasible method for the protection of industrial workers from prevailing noise in workplace environments in the developing countries.

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Cited by 11 publications

References 5 publications

Sustainable Performance Assessment of Textile and Apparel Industry in a Circular Context

Sustainable Performance Assessment of Textile and Apparel Industry in a Circular Context

Occupational noise in printing companies

Occupational noise exposure and hearing loss among pulse processing workers

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