A survey of current status of noise hazard on offshore oil platforms

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the noise distribution characteristics, workers' exposure to noise, and protective measures against noise on offshore oil platforms. Methods: Six offshore oil platforms with a similar scale of production from China National Offshore Oil Corporation were selected from June to October, 2015 to conduct a field investigation of occupational health and detection of risk factors for occupational diseases and to know the current status of noise hazard on offshore oil platforms. Results: Among the 373 sites for noise measurement, 69.7% had a noise level of ≥80 dB (A) ; among the 196 sites for noise measurement in the area with noisy equipment, 86.7% had a noise level of ≥80 dB (A) ; among the 177 sites for noise measurement in the area without noisy equipment, 50.8% had a noise level of ≥80 dB (A) . The actual sound attenuation of earplugs used on platforms was 18.6 dB (A) , and if they were worn correctly, they had a maximum value of noise protection of 103.6 dB (A) . The workers engaged in indoor operation were exposed to noise for 0.5~1.0 hour per day, and the 40 h/week equivalent sound level (weekly noise exposure, LEX, w) met the requirements in GBZ 2.2-2007 Occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents in the workplace Part 2: Physical agents[85 dB (A) ]. The workers engaged in outdoor operation were exposed to noise for 6.0~8.0 hours per day, and the over-standard rate of LEX, w was 53.7%. The noise exposure level showed a significant difference between the two groups, and indoor operation workers had a significantly lower noise exposure level than outdoor operation workers[ (69.8±3.4) dB (A) vs (85.5±3.5) dB (A) , P<0.05]. Conclusion: Noise sources on offshore oil platforms show the characteristic of centralized distribution, and noisy equipment have a great impact on the area without noisy equipment. The noise exposure level differs significantly between workers engaged in indoor and outdoor operation, and noise protection mainly relies on personal protective supplies.