การพัฒนาระบบการเฝ้าระวังสุขภาพและสิ่งแวดล้อมในโรงงานปั่นทออุตสาหกรรม เพื่อป้องกันการสูญเสียการได้ยินจากเสียงดัง

บทคัดย่อ

A research and development was designed to establish a model of health and environment monitoring system in factories with hazardous noise. The subjects were 396 textile workers exposed to noise with ages ranging from 18-54 years. Noise level of factory and hearing thresholds of workers were assessed. Behavior of using noise protection equipment (NPE) was observed. Workers’  knowledge about noise hazard was also assessed by using questionnaires. Data were analyzed and a model of health and environment monitoring system was established. Results showed that 46.5% of workers had abnormal hearing. Factors significantly associated with hearing capacity were noise level in workplace, sex and age. There was a positive relationship between age and hearing threshold in speech range frequencies. However, there was negative relationship between knowledge about noise hazard and hearing threshold in speech range frequencies. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between knowledge about noise hazard and behavior of using NPE. The model of health and environment monitoring system included using health record book, early feedback of hearing capacity to workers, giving NPE, giving occupational health education for individual and groups as well as participation of factory managers to brainstorm activities concerning noise level decreasing and noise hazard protection. After using this model, the mean score of workers’ knowledge about noise hazard was significantly higher than that of the workers before using the model. Prevalence of using NPE and correcting NPE using behavior were also significantly higher than those of the workers before using the model. The activities of noise level decreasing and noise hazard protection were established.