A preliminary study of occupational noise exposure among leaf blower and grass cutter workers in public university

Abstract

Many occupational noise exposure studies have been conducted in various occupational sectors. However, in Malaysia, there are limited numbers of study on grass cutter workers and there is no study on leaf blower workers. Thus, this preliminary study was conducted to assess both occupational noise exposure among leaf blower and grass cutter workers by measuring occupational noise exposure, determining sound power level of the machines and conducting interview session. A total of 20 workers were selected from a public university as study subjects. Noise dosimeter and sound level meter were used to measure the occupational noise exposure and sound pressure level of all machines in determining their sound power levels respectively. Most of the workers were exposed to daily noise dose and time-weighted average (TWA) noise level which exceed the permissible limits. All machines recorded a high sound power level and several workers showed prevalence symptoms of hearing loss. This preliminary study revealed that most of the workers are exposed to excessive occupational noise exposure and at high risk of acquiring noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).