Application of Risk Estimation of Noise-induced Hearing Loss Method in Evaluations of Occupational Disease Hazards in Construction Projects in China

Abstract

To protect the workers exposed to industrial noise, prevent and control the occurrence of noise-induced hearing loss, and reduce the incidence of occupational noise-induced deafness, a method and its application example were presented to assess the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Based on the data collected by occupational hygienic investigations and measurements, the consequences and probabilities of noise-induced hearing loss could be predicted by using the ISO 1999:2013(E) risk model when the appropriate frequency combinations of interest and fences have been chosen according to the need, and then the corresponding management measures should be taken. It shows that this method could be widely used in evaluations of occupational disease hazards in construction projects in China. It will provide the technical basis in aspect of hearing protection for enterprises, assessment organizations and administration to improve the occupational health management continuously, to give reasonable advices for enterprises to protect the workers’ hearing, and to supervise and inspect the industrial occupational healthsituations, respectively.