Sound Pressure Levels and use of Ear Protective Devices among Cement Factory Workers - Abstract
Background: Occupational Noise exposure is a worldwide problem in industry and contributes 16% of hearing loss globally. Hearing protection devices
intended to reduce the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss are not efficiently used in many factories.
Aims and Objectives: To elucidate the sound pressure levels of the working environment in the cement company and to determine the prevalence of use
of Hearing Protection Devices among these workers.
Method: A prospective cross sectional descriptive study of consenting workers at a cement company in Northwest Nigeria was conducted. A digital sound
level meter well-calibrated TOMTOP class 2-model number H4320 with a range of 30-130 dB was used to measure the sound level in the morning, afternoon
and evening, average of the readings was taken. A pretested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to assess the availability and use of Hearing
protection Devices (HPD).
Results: Workers in the noise exposed sections were exposed to noise levels varying from 76dB in the mobile clinic to 104 dB in the power house and 40
dB in the central administration block which served as control. One hundred and eighty four (57.9%) of the study group used hearing protection devices of
which only 62(33.7%) used it always.
Conclusion: The study revealed high intensity noise (mean ambient noise of 87.1dB-A) in the noise exposed sections. There was poor usage of hearing
protection devices (57.9%).