Noise induced-hearing loss compensation model for construction industry

Abstract

Noise—induced hearing loss (NIHL) is considered a chronic occupational disease with widespread prevalence among construction workers. Noise exposure is the main reason for NIHL to occur. Even though a strict regulation of permissible noise level for the industries has been introduced, NIHL cases among workers still increase annually. Severity of NIHL is influenced by multiple factors that should be incorporated to produce an accurate and comprehensive compensation system for construction related industries. The aim of this study is to develop a NIHL compensation predicting model for the construction industry. The study started by establishing the risk factors for NIHL. Subsequently, the relationship between risk factors and hearing loss was analysed and the coefficient value of the risk factors was evaluated. Finally, the NIHL compensation model was developed. NIHL risk factors data were obtained from the Malaysian Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) reports on the workers’ noise exposure, area noise, chemical and heat exposure, smoking habit, medical condition, risky hobby, and working environment site reports. Feedback from related industry and academic experts was also recorded. In addition, the Mann—Whitney U—test, correlation, and scatterplot study were executed to identify the association between risk factors and NIHL value. Three NIHL compensation models namely Models 1, 2, and 3 were developed using linear multiple regression methods based on the significant NIHL risk factors such as daily noise exposure, area noise, smoking habit, cardiovascular disease, and age. The best model was chosen by comparing the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) value of each model with an actual compensation value from SOCSO. Model 1 which consisted of daily noise exposure and the smoking habit was selected as the best model with the lowest MAPE value of 14.33 compared to Models 2 and 3 with MAPE values of 84.72 and 50.14, respectively. In conclusion, the study successfully proved the importance of the relationship between hearing impairment and NIHL risk factors by developing the three compensation NIHL models that can be utilised for monetary indemnity scheme in Malaysia.