Introduction
Noise is a chaotic blend of noises of varying loudness and frequency that can harm health (Goetsch, 2019). A noise source is any process that causes a local change in pressure or mechanical vibrations in solid, liquid, or gaseous parts (Mamat & Naim, 2020). In production, noise sources can come from engines, turbines, different kinds of tools, and other installations with moving parts. Due to noise being a serious workplace hazard, workplace conditions should often comply with regulations. For example, OSHA establishes regulatory limitations for occupational noise exposure. Such restrictions are dependent on a laborer’s average over an 8-hour workday. The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for loud sounds is 90 dBA for all employees during an 8-hour shift (CDC, n.d).
Impact of Noise
Long-term noise exposure causes irritation, migraine, disorientation, loss of memory, heightened tiredness, reduced appetite, and sleep disruption. Extended exposure to loud noise at levels that exceed the allowable limits can result in a man being extremely ill with a sound disorder, more specifically sensorineural hearing loss.
(Mamat & Naim, 2020). Noise should be considered the cause of hearing loss, some nervous diseases, decreased productivity at work, and in some cases loss of life.
Safety and Health Management Strategies
They are aimed at changing the technology of processes and the design of machines that are a source of the noise. Measures of this sort involve replacing loud operations with noise-free versions, replacing shock operations with shock-less variants, and replacing repetitive motions with rotating ones (Aliabadi et al. 2018).
The professional list of recommendations is primarily targeted at minimizing the vibration and noise of equipment, particularly the kind with massive oscillating areas, by covering them with noise and vibration-absorbing material, such as rubber, asbestos, cardboard, etc. (Doutres et al., 2022). For instance, sound-proofing linings for components, grinders, dampening gasket devices under the straightening plate, and the employment of braces and supports in the production of figured pieces.
The main goal of preventing the harmful effects of noise in the workplace is, first of all, to establish the maximum permissible noise level, which, during daily (except weekends) work, but no more than 40 hours a week during the entire work experience, should not cause diseases or health abnormalities detected by modern research methods in the process of jobs or long-term life of the present and subsequent generations. The use of mufflers to absorb noise during air exhaust reduces aerodynamic noise by 50-80 dB (Aliabadi et al. 2018).
Steps to Involve the Students in the Training
I want to emphasize that the training takes place at the enterprise and is followed by a knowledge check of labor protection requirements. The knowledge is checked by the members of the commission established at the enterprise from among the responsible specialists who have received special training in occupational safety at the training center. Moreover, without having passed occupational safety and health training, and knowledge testing, no employee of the organization can be allowed to work independently.
Hands-on Training
To properly build the process of teaching occupational safety requirements, a curriculum and a training program on occupational safety for each of the working specialties, separate for managers and specialists, must also be developed. The training should be organized in the form of lectures, video tutorials, seminars, and practices. Later, the obtained knowledge should be used in practice. The duration of the training program is not regulated, but in case of changes in local acts or the introduction of new ones, it should be revised. For practice, a commission is created to evaluate the knowledge of employees on labor protection rules.
Slides for Actual Training Program with Employees
Also, the main preventive measure in production aimed at reducing noise is the effective protection of workers from the adverse effects of noise, which requires the implementation of a whole range of organizational, technical, and medical measures at the stages of design, construction, and operation of manufacturing enterprises, machinery, and equipment. Training new employees is an important aspect of the company, as it avoids several problems (Doutres et al., 2022). This is reflected in the fact that employees will have all the necessary competencies to comply with the rules for their protection of themselves (Aliabadi et al. 2018). Due to this, it will be possible to avoid injuries and deterioration of workers’ health. On the other hand, conducting occupational safety training is an important process from the point of view of legislation. This contributes to the fact that the company will be able to avoid serious problems if an accident happens to an employee.
HPDs as the Last Line of Protection
Employees will typically obtain minimal advantage from HPDs unless considerable attention is taken to implementing a hearing protection program (Aliabadi et al. 2018). Whenever fitted properly, the ideal hearing protection is approved by the employee and used appropriately.
Managers’ Role in the Effectiveness of Training
Managers should play a major role in training their employees, and performance management help them in this. In essence, managers play the role of a mentor, although this may be an informal process that gradually deepens the understanding and develops the skills of employees. The task of employee development is one of the key competencies of any line manager. Each manager must be certified to possess this competence. Some managers cope with the task of development much better than others. For those who do not cope, this task is included in the individual development plan. For example, they should learn how to solve the problem of non-compliance with the expectations of the results of the work of several employees, better determine the training needs of employees or develop individual development plans.
Conclusion
It is made immediately after the completion of the program using feedback tools (response sheets, interviews, collages, targets, and barometer). The first impression and the general opinion of the participants about the training (its parts, aspects) and the trainers are evaluated. Participants’ progress is determined by comparing the initial level of their knowledge, skills, and attitudes with the final one. To do this, even at the design stage of the training, it is necessary to develop clear measurement methods that are clear to everyone – the coach, the training group, and the head of the organization. The assessment of this level is carried out after a short period after the completion of the course – so that trained workers have time to find the application of new knowledge and skills. The influence of the training results on the development of the organization is studied. The main attention is paid to whether training has had a positive impact on reducing costs, and increasing labor productivity, and safety.
References
Aliabadi, M., Biabani, A., Golmohammadi, R., & Farhadian, M. (2018). A study of the real-world noise attenuation of the current hearing protection devices in typical workplaces using Field Microphone in Real Ear method. Work, 60(2), 271–279. Web.
CDC. (n.d.). Reducing noise exposure: Guidance & regulations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
Doutres, O., Terroir, J., Jolly, C., Gauvin, C., Martin, L., & Negrini, A. (2022). Towards a Holistic Model Explaining Hearing Protection Device Use among Workers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 5578.
Goetsch, D. L. (2019). Occupational safety and health for technologists, engineers and managers. Pearson.
Lu, Y., Zhang, Z., Yan, H., Rui, B., & Liu, J. (2020). Effects of occupational hazards on job stress and mental health of factory workers and miners: A propensity score analysis. BioMed Research International, 1-9.
Mamat, S. N. S., & Naim, F. (2020). Noise Exposure and Perceived Hearing Symptoms of Metal Fabrication Workers in Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Manufacturing Industry. Malaysian Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences, 16, 135–143.