Steel companies make a lot of noise

It said research had shown that 43 out of 108 (40%) employees interviewed could not remember when last they were trained on noise levels or ways of preventing hearing loss.

Asked to demonstrate the correct way of fitting their hearing protectors, 62% of the workers could not do so.

The research, which was conducted on behalf of the labour department, found that readings at one foundry went as high as 102dB (A) and at a sister plant up to 98dB (A).

At one steel plant's plate process and cutting section, a reading of 106dB was recorded.

None of the names of the eight companies' surveyed was provided in the research results.

The research showed that at six of the companies, the occupational health nurses' audiometry certificates were valid at the time the survey was conducted, and in two companies the nurses' certificates had expired and had not been renewed.

The eight sites visited complied with the requirement to designate areas in the workplace as noise zones with appropriate signage.

However, it was noted that some signage needed to be cleaned or refurbished.

In general, noise control engineering options were not used to their fullest advantage, although some companies adopted good controls. For example, one company installed double glazing in control rooms and fitted three doors to keep out noise out.

Changing flame heater nozzles to reduce noise was another engineering control practice observed during the study.

The researchers found that reusable earplugs were not being used properly and there was no proper storage for hearing protection devices.

The companies had information and training programmes for workers that were carried out by qualified health and safety officers or qualified trainers.

The study followed the labour department's comment that immediate intervention was needed in the iron and steel industry, after compensation totalling R194m was paid to workers in the 2011/2012 financial year.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge