Assessment of fugitive personal noise intensity exposure among open-type hot forging industrial workers

Abstract

Background: Fusitive noise exposure is a major occupational hazard for workers in open-type hot forging industries I and II, which manufacture products like plain shafts, hubs, big nuts, spindles, piston rods, seat/bearing/gaskets, gear rings, etc., using two-ton and one-ton hammers.Objective: To assess the fugitive personal noise dose intensity exposure among exposed workers.Methodology: The personal noise intensity exposure was measured by using a noise dosimeter, among exposed workers for 8 hours full shift.Results: The personal noise intensity exposure, time-weighted average (TWA),in both industries individually and combined were 91.87 ± 1.47 dB(A), 93.17 ± 1.65 dB(A), and 92.56 ± 1.68 dB(A), respectively.  The L_EQ noise intensity for both industries individually and combined data were 94.22 ± 2.03 dB(A), 96.77 ±2.64 dB(A), and 95.59 ± 2.67 dB(A). Both TWA and L_EQ values between Industry I and II were different and this was statistically significant (p<0.05).The L_peak noise intensity in linear scale for Industry I, II and combined data were 139.78 ± 8.03 dB(Z), 141.35 ±6.76 dB(Z), and 140.62 ± 7.33 dB(Z), respectively.Conclusion:The noise intensity was above 90 dB(A) as per statutory guidelines of the Factories Act 1948, and Mines Act 1952. Preliminary findings of this study indicate that the workers may develop stress and health effects like Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) if proper actions are not followed.  Accordingly, suitable intervention suggestions were given to them. The results were further compared with World Health Organization (WHO) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.