THE USE OF HEARING PROTECTION
Date
2011-04-13
Authors
HANSIA, MOHAMMED RASHAAD
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Abstract
Background
Studies indicate that exposure to harmful sound levels are common in industrial workers.
Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a consequence of long term exposure to excessive
levels of noise and results in both significant morbidity amongst persons with NIHL and
economic costs to industry. NIHL has been shown to be preventable by attenuating
noise exposure with the sustained use of hearing protection devices (HPDs).
Statement of the Problem
Underground gold miners are known to be exposed to high noise levels from machinery
and equipment used in the course of their work. Despite hearing conservation
programmes (HCPs), which promote the use of HPDs and the provision of HPDs to all
employees free of charge, NIHL continues to occur amongst underground gold miners.
This study set out to determine the uptake of usage of HPDs and ascertain the
knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to NIHL and the use of HPDs in underground
gold miners in South Africa.
Study Methods
This study was done by measuring HPD usage through observation of a statistically
significant, representative, randomly selected sample of noise-exposed mine workers as
well as structured interviews with these mine workers in a cross sectional descriptive
study. The study was undertaken at an underground gold mine west of Johannesburg.
All results were anonymous and unlinked and treated confidentially. No tests were
carried out on subjects.
Findings
Ninety three per cent of respondents reported using HPDs but only 50% were observed
to be using these devices. Thirty per cent of respondents reported not using HPDs
consistently and 58% of respondents reported not using HPDs continuously during
exposure to hazardous noise. Participants’ knowledge regarding NIHL and HPD usage
is good in terms of: reported knowledge of the potential of noise to damage hearing
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(82%); knowledge of the benefits of using HPDs (89%); and the correct perception of the
workplace as ‘noisy’ (84%). However, a significant minority reported a lack of knowledge
of the benefits of HPDs and the correct perception of their workplaces as being noisy,
despite apparently having been through the relevant education programmes on several
occasions. Attitudes towards NIHL and HPD usage were generally good in the study
sample as evidenced by: a reported high prioritisation of NIHL (86% of respondents
reported NIHL as being as important or more important than other workplace injuries and
illnesses); the self-assumed responsibility for NIHL (92% reported that NIHL was the
responsibility of miners themselves); and the indicated impression that the perceptions
around NIHL could be changed (68% of respondents indicated that something could be
done to improve the use of HPDs). Further problems with the current system of
education around NIHL and HPDs at this mine are inferred by the indicated preference
of the majority of respondents for means of education other than the current computerenabled
education (57% of responses) and for educators other than the current training
staff (66% of responses).
Reported reasons for not using HPDs were mainly discomfort (50%); perceived
interference of HPDs with hearing warning signals (23%); the impression that HPDs did
not work (13%); and devices reportedly falling out of the ears during use (10%). Failure
to use HPDs is compounded by actual or perceived barriers to access to HPDs in terms
of unavailability of these devices (6% of respondents), refusal to access to them (5% of
respondents), and a lack of variety of HPDs to choose from (32%). All of these factors
are also exacerbated by a system supported by supervisory checks on the use of HPDs
but which does not promote the checking of use by co-workers (‘hands off’ culture). The
checking on use of HPD usage by supervisors only, implies a ‘top down’ approach rather
than positive reinforcement of health-maintaining behaviour such as the use of HPDs.
Conclusion
This study has found a much higher rate of reported HPD usage than observed usage in
a statistically significant sample of underground gold miners with demographic
characteristics representative of the study population. It is recommended that the current
training programme with regard to NIHL and HPDs be reviewed, complementary
methods of training and alternate educators and trainers be considered, the emphasis
on prevention be increased, and actual and perceived barriers to access to HPDs be
removed, in order to address these findings.
Description
MBA - WBS
Keywords
Hearing protection devices, Mines and mining, Ear plugs, Occupational safety