NOISE EXPOSURE PROFILE AND NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS RISKS OF SELECTED ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN GHANA

Objective:Hearing loss is common among construction workers. This study explored the occupational noise exposure levels of selected road construction workers anddetermined the noise-induced hearing loss risk levelsMethodology: It was cross-sectional, exploratory and task-based using dBadge2 PRO noise dosimeter. Convenience sampling was employed in selecting the workers studied. The study population involved carpenters and operators of concrete mixers, bulldozers, excavators, pay-loaders, pneumatic tyre rollers, steel rollers and asphalt-producing plant monitored from seven construction firms actively working in Ashanti and Ahafo Regions, Ghana.Results:This study found that seven out of nine workersgroups (77.8%) recorded average noise levels ≥85dBA (ISO/NIOSH limit). The peak noise from all equipment exceeded the ISO/NIOSH limit by 35.7dBA–57.6 dBA. The highest was recorded from bulldozers, followed by, carpenters, excavators, pneumatic tyre rollers, asphalt-production plant, pay-loaders, concrete mixers, small steel roller and heavy steel rollers. Conclusion:The peak, maximum and impulse noise levels indicate that all the worker-groups (100%) are at increased risk of noise-induced hearing loss. Construction managers should deploy quieter equipment, mufflers and sound-dampening mats inside the engines of heavy-duty equipment to attenuate engine noise and also enforce appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) use.