Zeng Lin, Chai Dong-Liang, Li Hui-Juan, Lei Zhuo, Zhao Yi-Ming
Research Center of Occupational Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Chin Med J (Engl). 2007 Apr 20;120(8):684-9.
Noise is widespread occupational hazard in iron and steel industry. Overhead-traveling cranes are widely used in this industry, but few studies characterized the overhead-traveling crane drivers' noise exposure level so far. In this study, we assessed and characterized personal noise exposure levels of overhead-traveling crane drivers in two steel-rolling mills.
One hundred and twenty-four overhead-traveling crane drivers, 76 in the cold steel-rolling mill and 48 in the hot steel-rolling mill, were enrolled in the study. Personal noise dosimeters (AIHUA Instruments Model AWA5610e, Hangzhou, China) were used to collect full-shift noise exposure data from all the participants. Crane drivers carried dosimeters with microphones placed near their collars during the work shifts. Work logs had been taken by the drivers simultaneously. Personal noise exposure data were divided into segments based on lines in which they worked. All statistical analyses were done using SPSS 13.0.
The average personal noise exposure (L(Aeq.8h)) of overhead-traveling crane drivers in the hot steel-rolling mills ((85.03 +/- 2.25) dB (A)) was higher than that in the cold one ((83.05 +/- 2.93) dB (A), P < 0.001). There were 17 overhead traveling cranes in the hot steel-rolling mill and 24 cranes in the cold one, of which carrying capacities varied from 15 tons to 100 tons. The average noise exposure level based on different lines in the hot and cold steel-rolling mills were (85.2 +/- 2.61) dB (A) and (83.3 +/- 3.10) dB (A) respectively (P = 0.001), which were similar to the average personal noise exposure in both mills. The noise exposure levels were different among different lines (P = 0.021).
Noise exposure levels, depending upon background noise levels and the noise levels on the ground, are inconstant. As the noise exposure levels are above the 85 dB (A) criteria, these drivers should be involved in the Hearing Conservation Program to protect their hearing.
噪声是钢铁行业普遍存在的职业危害。桥式起重机在该行业中广泛使用，但迄今为止，很少有研究对桥式起重机司机的噪声暴露水平进行特征描述。在本研究中，我们评估并描述了两家轧钢厂中桥式起重机司机的个人噪声暴露水平。
本研究纳入了124名桥式起重机司机，其中76名在冷轧钢厂，48名在热轧钢厂。使用个人噪声剂量计（中国杭州爱华仪器公司的AWA5610e型）收集所有参与者的全时段噪声暴露数据。起重机司机在工作班次期间将带有麦克风的剂量计佩戴在靠近衣领的位置。司机同时记录工作日志。个人噪声暴露数据根据他们工作的线路进行分段。所有统计分析均使用SPSS 13.0完成。
热轧钢厂桥式起重机司机的平均个人噪声暴露（L(Aeq.8h)）为（85.03±2.25）dB(A)，高于冷轧钢厂的（83.05±2.93）dB(A)，P<0.001。热轧钢厂有17台桥式起重机，冷轧钢厂有24台，其承载能力从15吨到100吨不等。热轧和冷轧钢厂不同线路的平均噪声暴露水平分别为（85.2±2.61）dB(A)和（83.3±3.10）dB(A)（P = 0.001），与两个厂的平均个人噪声暴露相似。不同线路的噪声暴露水平存在差异（P = 0.021）。
噪声暴露水平因背景噪声水平和地面噪声水平而异，并不恒定。由于噪声暴露水平高于85 dB(A)的标准，这些司机应参与听力保护计划以保护他们的听力。
