Use and effectiveness of hearing protection in construction

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of data on noise exposure and hearing protection device (HPD) use among construction workers drawn from several large datasets covering nine construction trades. A unique combination of one-minute dosimetry noise exposure level and simultaneous self-reported HPD use data were evaluated, as were occupational and non-occupational HPD use data collected by questionnaire as part of a longitudinal noise and hearing loss study among apprentices. Direct HPD attenuation measurements were also made on workers at their worksite. Workers reported using HPDs less than one-quarter of the time they were exposed above 85 dBA, the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit. Workers who reported always using HPDs in high noise were found to wear them only one-third of the time their exposures exceeded 85 dBA. Direct attenuation measurements indicated that workers achieved more than 50% of the rated attenuation of their HPD on average, but that the variability in achieved attenuation was large. Lastly, when the measured HPD attenuation level and use time data were combined, the effective protection afforded by HPDs was less than 3 dB on average, though there was substantial variation among the different trades. These results demonstrate the need for better hearing conservation programs in construction.