HCP  in Industries

The  mushrooming  of  industries  around  the  metropolitan  cities  has  led  to  a  marked  increase  in  migration  of  the  rural  population  to  the  cities.   The  population  exposed  to industrial  noise  has  thus  increased  considerably.   Hence it  becomes  imperative  that  we  adhere  to  a  very  strict  HCP  in  industries.

Noise measurement is usually done for two reasons: to determine whether there is a need for a hearing conservation program and to obtain information to control noise at the source. For this, two measures are important: one the noise level in decibels (dBA) and two, the time of exposure.

If the noise level at the location is 90 dBA but the exposure time is less than eight hours, there is no need for a hearing conservation programme, 90 dBA is the maximum permissible exposure level (PEL) for an 8-hour workday.  If the exposure continues for more than eight hours, the accepted level in decibel falls accordingly.

Measurements should be made at the level of the exposed person’s ears and at the location where he/she usually works at various times of the day over a period of a month to determine an average level for that particular location.  Instruments called noise dosimeters are generally used for the purpose.  These accumulate the total dosage over an 8-hour period.  A general safe rule to follow is that, if an area is above the chosen criteria, regardless of the time of exposure, the individual should be protected.

A complete hearing conservation programme must involve some arrangements for medical direction and intervention.  Even though an  industrial hearing  conservation programme is  primarily related to prevention of hearing loss from noise exposure, it must also include provisions to determine losses from other causes.  Referrals to an otologist are made for the purpose of determining and conducting follow up action.

Conducting hearing tests but making no provisions for treatment  and follow up action is useless.  The tests merely provide the information that determines what subsequent action must be taken.  Such an action cannot be completed without medical interpretation and intervention.