Ghorbanali Mohammadi

 (Faculty of Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering,

Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman,Iran  761889167)

Received Feb. 4, 2009

Revised Jun. 22, 2009

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to determined noise levels and to show the annoyance reaction, hearing loss, hearing impairment by the workers due to the occupational noise exposure according to Iran development of Environment (IDE) and also awareness about effects of noise and use of hearing protective devices (HPD) in the two manufacturing electronic equipment (metal) industries. The present study was carried out among industrial workers and included a sample of 130 workers, site 1 (n=52) and site 2 (n=78) from two metal industries located in south eastern Iran province of Kerman. In order to attend the objectives of the current study, noise levels evaluation was determined throughout all different work stations in both industries. The results of the study revealed that noise levels in 75% of the stations are higher than limits used for assessment of noise for community response. The results of that study indicated that noise levels in the workplace are (66%) very high, (28%) high and only 6%low. Workers having higher education are much aware of the health impact due to occupational noise. Chi-square analysis indicated that the difference in educational background and not wearing HPD was significant and also a significant relationship was also observed between the impact of occupational noise on the health and education status. This research has clearly demonstrated that the workers in both the metal industries included in this study are at high risk of developing noise induced hearing loss and other associated ailments due to excessive occupational exposure to noise. There is a need to develop and apply a well-defined, comprehensive and enforceable training programs and noise regulation. The study revealed that the workers having higher education (9-12 grades) are much aware of the health impact due to occupational noise exposure. There is a need to establish a hearing conservation programs in both industries, the components of such program include noise assessment, use of hearing protection devices, audiometric and increasing awareness among the workers about the adverse effects of noise.　 　  

PACS numbers: 43.50