The Determinants Of Hearing Protection Device Use Among Noise Exposed Workers of Chirango Gold Mines

ABSTRACT

Background: Several workforces in the mining industry are exposed to noise in daily doses above 85dBA, which exposes them to the risk of Occupational Noise-induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL). When noise exposure levels of workers is eliminated or lowered, employees risk of Noise-induced hearing loss will be completely reduced (Edelson et al., (2009). Employees have to rely on hearing protection devices (HPD) among which include the use of ear plugs and ear muffs when it becomes evident that the noise source cannot be completely removed. The predictors of hearing protector device use that was assessed were socio-demographic, organizational level and cognitive-perceptual factors. Objective: The study aimed to assess the predictors of hearing protector device use amongst noise-exposed workers of Chirano Gold Mines Ltd (CGML). Methodology: Workers with noise exposure levels ≥ 85 dBA and whose work schedule was not less than 8 hours were involved. Predictors of Hearing Protector Use were assessed using questionnaires. Aside descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, multiple and ordinal logistic regressions were employed in assessing associations. Results: This study established that 46% of the employees always use hearing protection device whereas 54% use the hearing protection device on a less frequent basis because they do not spend much time in a noisy area. Interpersonal influence and HPD climate were the predictors that had significant influence on the use of HPD (p-value