Verifying the Attenuation of Earplugs in an Auto Parts Factory in China

Details

• Personal Author:
  Gong W ; Morata, Thais C.
• Description:
  This study compared methods used to predict the attenuation of earplugs with the results from objective attenuation measurements. Personal noise measurement and earplug fit-tests were performed on 385 workers from an auto parts factory. All participants used one type of pre-molded earplugs. 78.2% of workers had LAeq8h above 85 dB(A). The mean Personal Attenuation Ratings (PAR) was 7 dB (median 5 dB, SD 7.2 dB), well below the earplug's single number rating (SNR) of 25 dB and de-rated SNR (15 dB). No PAR increment was detected with increasing LAeq8h (F = 0.657, p = 0. 709). Neither the noise attenuation rating (indicated in the product's label) nor the de-rated value predicted the level of hearing protection device attenuation obtained by the workers who were wearing earplugs. Objective measurements of earplug attenuation could improve the effectiveness of hearing conservation programs. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Automobiles Ear Hearing Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Noise Noise, Occupational Occupational Health Protective Clothing Safety Sense Organs
• Keywords:
  Automotive Industry Ear Protection Ear Protectors Ears Factory Workers Hearing Conservation Hearing Protection Humans Manufacturing Noise Levels Noise Measurement Sound Attenuation Workers

  More +
• ISSN:
  0736-2935
• Publisher:
  Institute of Noise Control Engineering
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062218
• Citation:
  Inter-Noise 2020: Advances in Noise and Vibration Control Technology, the 49th International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, August 23-26, 2020, Virtual Event. Reston, VA: Institute of Noise Control Engineering, 2020 Oct; :2662-2668
• Contact Point Address:
  Thais C, Morata, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1090 Tusculum Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45226, United States
• Email:
  tmorata@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2021
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction ; Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Inter-Noise 2020: Advances in Noise and Vibration Control Technology, the 49th International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, August 23-26, 2020, Virtual Event
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:484ad2dfff0dad59d2e122884f43d5bb6f5d7e1eb3e9facdb09bcd2a6cdc3e0062991944b92d911fe3bcad88756be3d7222a55e6255e1f11ee17e06746f53365
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225513/cdc_225513_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 332.82 KB ]