Occupational noise exposure in Canada's salmonid aquaculture industry

Abstract

Occupational injuries and diseases are of great concern in aquaculture. The current literature on occupational health and safety in aquaculture have focused on physical hazards such as slips, trips and falls but have ignored the risk of excessive noise exposures. This study aimed to document noise exposures and hazardous noise sources at aquaculture facilities, as well as identify short-term solutions to high exposures experienced by employees. Data was collected at four facilities from different sectors of the aquaculture industry; all focused on salmonids. Noise sources were identified at each facility and analyzed in narrow-band frequency. Noise exposures at each facility were also measured and compared with the regulatory limits of an 8-h time-weighted averaged, A-weighted, 85 dB exposure level. Exposures were highest within the vicinity of machinery rooms of all facilities and during feeding operations at the salmon farm. Workers at the salmon farm were at a much higher risk of excessive noise exposure than employees at the other three facilities due to the tasks performed and the equipment used. The appropriate hearing protection was suggested for each employee to be worn during certain tasks or within the vicinity of noisy machinery on site.