Wearing conditions of personal hearing protectors in a steel plant

Abstract

All workers from a steel mill answered a questionnaire on their use of personal hearing protectors. As many as 225 out of 327 workers were using protectors daily (Regular Users: RU), while 74 never wore them (Non Users: NU). Three types of protection were employed among the RU: foam inserts (N = 128), earmuffs (n = 73) and foam inserts with earmuffs (N = 24). Nearly half of the RU have been wearing a protector during 3 h or more daily, some up to 8 h. The protector was said to be removed and fitted again seven times or more daily among at least 28% of the users. RU considered they were normally working with their hands soiled with oil, grease or dust in a proportion of 83%. One out of four reported having suffered at one time or another from serious discomfort or pain in or around their ears because of the protector. RU also stated in a proportion of 86% that verbal communication was essential to the fulfillment of their work while communication was said by 62% among them to be more difficult when wearing the protector. Some workers further asserted that they had to remove their protector when they had to communicate verbally. Motives for not using any protector among NU are also analyzed in relation with the noise exposure conditions, the nature of the work performed and reported physical intolerances. Implications for hygiene standards, effective protector insertion or placement, workload and work organization are discussed.