Noise Exposure Assessment and Estimated Excess Risk of Cabin Personnel in the Locomotive-CC205

Abstract

Train is one of the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation. However, currently there are still some types of locomotive designed to be opened (such as CC201); hence, the generated noise can potentially affect the health of the workers, particularly cabin personnel (i.e. train driver and assistant of driver). The objective of this study are to analyze the noise levels exposed to cabin personnel and to estimate the excess risks of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in the locomotive. The cabin personnel were considered as exposed group while the office workers of the train station (Poncol Station) was the control group. The noise levels were measured continuously during the working hours using noise dosimeter. The audiometry test was also conducted to both case and control group. The data were analyzed using chi-square statistical test and NIOSH 1998 method of excess risk estimation. The measured noise exposure level in the locomotive-CC205 during the working hours (4-5 hours) ranged from 71.2 dBA until 123.4 dBA. However, the excess risks of the respondents were only 0.75% higher than the control group. This might be due to the short working period of the participants (no more than 10 years). The noise exposure to the case group workers were higher than time-weighted average noise level. Based on the chi-square statistical test, it is concluded that the noise levels affect the noise-induced hearing loss of the cabin personnel.