On the Issue of Assessing the Levels of Noise and Vibration Impacts on Workers of Industrial Enterprises of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Introduction. Ensuring safe and comfortable working conditions is one of the most important tasks in the organization of modern production processes that have a direct impact on employee productivity, injuries and occupational diseases. Despite all the efforts made both at the state and departmental levels, the current state of occupational safety and health of industrial workers in the Republic of Kazakhstan continues to remain at an insufficiently high level. The main cause of occupational injuries and occupational diseases is the impact on working personnel of dangerous and harmful production factors, one of which is an increased level of noise and vibration from production equipment. The authors analyze statistical data on the number of cases of injuries, their types and causes of occurrence in workers by sectors of the economy of the republic. The influence of noise and vibration on the health of workers is considered. It is found that an increased level of noise and vibration effects causes injuries to a lesser extent, and occupational diseases to a greater extent. The work objective is instrumental measurement of noise and vibration levels in the workplaces of production sites of a machine-building enterprise and assessment of working conditions there to develop effective measures to reduce the harmful effects on the health of workers.Materials and Methods. Statistical data on occupational injuries and occupational diseases were used as basic information, as well as the results of instrumental measurements of the level of noise and vibration effects on workers using the methods set out in GOST ISO 9612-2016 and GOST 31319-2006, taking into account Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan of February 16, 2022 № KR DSM-15 «On approval of hygienic standards to physical factors that have an impact on a person».Results. The results of the conducted research allowed us to conclude that about 22.6% of workplaces at production sites are characterized by harmful and dangerous working conditions in terms of noise and vibration effects on workers.Discussion and Conclusion. Based on the results of the study, a plan of priority measures was developed to reduce the harmful effects of increased noise and vibration in the workplace. The authors also recommend a special working regime, benefits and additional payments to employees for working conditions that do not meet safety requirements.