Effect of wearing hearing protectors on the audibility of railway warning signals – an experimental study

The effect of wearing hearing protectors on the audibility of warning signals has been evaluated for three specific railway-related jobs: track workers, train drivers and platform agents. Masked thresholds were measured in the laboratory, on railway agents with normal hearing, using warning signals and background noises typical of each job. Out of the 36 situations tested in total, statistical analyses showed that wearing earplugs improves the perception in 11 situations, deteriorates the perception in 10 situations and has no significant effect in 15 situations (as compared to no hearing protector). The deteriorations essentially concern signals which have no (or not enough) energy in the low-frequency range (ff相似文献   

护听器的特点、选用及其管理

护听器是一种保护听觉、使人免受噪声过度刺激的个体防护装备.为了预防在高噪声环境中的疲劳、听力损失或因此而可能导致的误操作和生产安全事故,工业企业噪声作业场所相关从业人员应配备适宜的护听器.全面了解护听器类个人防护用品的特点、正确掌握选用护听器类产品的原则和方法以及建立行之有效的管理体系是践行我国安全生产法、职业病防治法的重要环节.本文在简要分析护听器类产品的分类和特点的基础上,详细介绍了护听器的选择原则及如何选用护听器产品;最后讨论了护听器管理及人员培训的重要性.     

护耳器使用现状评述

研究表明：护耳器现场使用实际声衰减值低于实验室值,其原因是护耳器的实验室测量条件较为严格。工人在现场实际使用护耳器时,未能同实验室中的受试者一样佩戴护耳器,因而获得的护耳器声衰减比实验室所测得的值低。另一方面,在８小时强噪声环境中工作期间,未自始至终佩戴护耳器,则也达不到预期的保护听力的效果。笔者还综合分析和评述了护耳器现场使用时实际声衰减值降低的原因,并提出了一些有益的建议     

护听器声衰减值的3种测试方法

关于护听器声衰减能力的评价,目前有好几种方法都有大量文献充分地论证。本文介绍了3种标准化的评价方法：真耳听阈衰减法（Real～ear attenuation at threshold,PEAT）,真耳内置麦克风（Microphone in real ear,MIRE）,和声学仿真测量装置（Acoustical test fixture,ATF）方法。讨论了评价护听器声衰减能力,这3种方法各自的优缺点和适用范围。REAT方法是评价护听器声衰减值最准确的方法之一,目前被国际标准普遍采用。     

单兵用主动式听力保护技术研究现状分析

战场噪声是造成单兵听力损伤的重要原因,通常要求单兵处于大于85dBA的噪声环境中需佩戴听力保护装置。听力保护装置通常包括耳罩式和耳塞式。新型单兵用耳塞式听力保护装置具有听力保护、环境声音的监听、持续及脉冲噪声抑制、通信接入等多种功能。     

Most Comfortable Listening Level and Speech Attenuation by Hearing Protectors

Hearing protectors attenuate both the background noise and the useful sounds embedded in noise such as the sounds of speech and warning signals. An effective hearing protector is one that attenuates background noise while leaving sufficient energy of speech and warning signals to reach the ear of the worker. At present, however, there are no established criteria for assessing effective change in speech-to-noise ratio caused by hearing protection devices (HPDs). One such criterion could be a change in most comfortable (listening) level (MCL) for speech caused by the presence of HPDs. In this study the HPD-related shift in MCL for speech presented in quiet was measured and compared with two measures of noise attenuation: Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) and high–medium–low (H–M–L). The results indicate that the MCL shift may be a sensitive measure of speech attenuation by HPDs, which together with the appropriate H–M–L may describe technical properties of HPDs.     

An examination of antecedents to coal miners' hearing protection behaviors: a test of the theory of planned behavior

PROBLEM: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's [NIOSH] National Occupational Research Agenda (DHHS Publication No. 96-115) reports that approximately 50% of miners will experience hearing loss by age 50, compared to only 9% of the general population. The present investigation examines three antecedents believed to be associated with miner's use of hearing protection. METHOD: A posttest-delayed-posttest-control group field research design was employed to assess antecedents toward wearing hearing protection. RESULTS: Following the initial posttest, miners' attitudes and subjective norms were antecedents to intentions to wear hearing protection devices. Also, intentions toward wearing hearing protection predicted hearing protection behaviors. Approximately six weeks later, miners' attitudes and perceived behavioral control were each significant predictors of intentions to wear hearing protection and again, intentions were positively associated with hearing protection behaviors. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Our results indicate that appeals to normative influences may be the most effective antecedent to employ when persuading coal miners to wear hearing protection. However, messages designed to impact attitudes and perceived behavioral control were also effective.     

The effects of proximal and distal goals on performance on a moderately complex task

The effect of a proximal plus a distal goal was investigated relative to setting only a distal goal or urging participants to do their best. Young adults (N=39) were paid on a piece rate basis to make toys. An analysis of variance revealed that the amount of money earned by the participants who were urged to ‘do your best’ was significantly greater than the amount of money earned by the participants who were assigned a distal goal. However, the amount of money earned by the participants who were assigned proximal goals, in addition to a distal goal, was significantly greater than the amount of money earned by the participants in the ‘do your best’ condition. The correlation between perceived self‐efficacy and the amount of money earned was 0.45 (p<0.01). Perceived self‐efficacy significantly increased only for those participants in the proximal plus distal goal condition. Proximal goals, through self‐efficacy and performance feedback, appear to have focused attention on task appropriate strategies. The results suggest an informational explanation of proximal goals as opposed to a motivational one through goal commitment. Implications of these findings for mentoring and training are discussed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Drivers' judgments of the effect of headlight glare on their ability to see pedestrians at night

IntroductionSeveral studies have concluded that pedestrians typically overestimate their own conspicuity to approaching drivers at night. The present experiments extended this research by exploring the accuracy of drivers' judgments of pedestrian conspicuity while facing varying degrees of headlight glare.MethodIn Experiment 1, participants on an open road estimated their ability to see a roadside pedestrian in each of two clothing configurations and with each of three different glare intensities present. In Experiment 2, participants responded to a roadside pedestrian under the same open road conditions; the participants were naïve with regard to both the position of the pedestrian and to the clothing and glare manipulations.ResultsConsistent with earlier research, estimates of response distance were, on the average, over three times greater than actual recognition distance. The extent to which participants overestimated conspicuity was greater when the pedestrian wore a retroreflective vest, and participants incorrectly judged that headlight glare would not degrade drivers' ability to see a pedestrian wearing a retroreflective vest.Conclusions and Practical ApplicationsThese results confirm that road users' understanding of issues involving drivers' night vision is limited. These misunderstandings may result in road users behaving in ways that increase the risk of nighttime collisions with pedestrians.     

The Effects of Local Cooling on Thermophysiological Response in Participants Wearing Dust-Free Garments

This study was designed to find the effects of two kinds of dust-free garments with (A) and without (B) frozen gel strip (FGS), and half-naked clothing (brassiere and shorts; C) on thermophysiological parameters and on temperature and humidity within clothing. The heart rate, rectal, and skin temperatures as well as sweat rate and clothing microclimate were measured during 140 min in 9 healthy females. Inquiries were also made into the subjective rating of thermal, humidity, and comfort sensations. The main findings in our experiments are as follows: (a) Physiological parameters such as rectal and skin temperatures (chest and forehead), heart rate, and sweat rate were clearly lowest in garb C, intermediate in garb A, and highest in garb B throughout the experiment; (b) Temperature and humidity within clothing were lower in garb A than in garb B; (c) More than half of the 9 participants decreased thermal sensation by wearing garb A. These results suggest that the usage of FGS could improve the heat load in lightly working participants wearing dust-free garments.     

某飞机维修公司个人听力防护用品使用情况调查分析

为了解听力防护用品使用过程中的问题,提高我国噪声暴露工人听力防护用品的使用率和有效率,选择噪声危害较大的某飞机维修公司的员工,进行听力防护用品使用情况的问卷调查。结果显示:该公司为员工提供耳塞和耳罩两种听力防护用品;员工的听力保护意识、使用情况较好,使用率达95%,但对听力防护用品相关知识的了解不够全面;能够在工作中一直坚持使用的工人较少,仅占11%,影响工人工作时间使用听力防护用品时间长短的因素主要是其舒适性。调查分析提示:在未来听力防护用品的生产过程中,需要进一步加强和改善舒适性的技术;政府、企业和个人3方面共同参与,降低职业性噪声暴露对工人听力的损伤。     

Effects of load carriage and work boots on lower limb kinematics of industrial workers

Load and footwear condition are two crucial elements varying the kinematic responses during walking, which probably lead to chronic injury. Fifteen healthy male individuals with no obvious gait abnormalities participated in this study. Apart from a no-load condition, four external load conditions with two load levels were investigated. Work boots were compared with running shoes to determine footwear effects. Significant impacts were found for lower limb range of motion at certain joints when carrying loads. A greater hip and ankle flexion–extension while wearing the work boots indicated that participants needed to lift the leg higher to complete toe clearance off the walking surface. Work boots also increased the vertical excursion of the center of body mass, which may impact body balance and induce falling. No significant influencing pattern of carrying modes was found, which was probably due to the light load and relatively stable mode of shoulder carrying.     

Cooling Suits,Physiological Response,and Task Performance in Hot Environments for the Power Industry

Heat stress on workers working outdoors in the power industry may result in fatigue and deterioration in task performance. This research collected and analyzed data on task performance of workers working indoors and outdoors with and without a cooling suit. The task performance was compared on the basis of heart rate, oxygen consumption, tympanic temperature, subjective responses, productivity, and error rates. Based on One-Way Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) results, a significantly lower estimated working oxygen consumption was observed (p < .001) when the cooling suit was worn. The productivity was higher while workers wore the cooling suit as compared to no cooling suit (p = .011) whereas the error rates were significantly lower(p < .001). Also a significantly lower self-reported discomfort was observed in the neck and shoulders while working wearing the cooling suit (p = .004). This study concluded that wearing a cooling suit while working outdoors was associated with physiological benefits as well as improved task performance of the study participants.     

Cooling suits, physiological response, and task performance in hot environments for the power industry.

Heat stress on workers working outdoors in the power industry may result in fatigue and deterioration in task performance. This research collected and analyzed data on task performance of workers working indoors and outdoors with and without a cooling suit. The task performance was compared on the basis of heart rate, oxygen consumption, tympanic temperature, subjective responses, productivity, and error rates. Based on One-Way Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) results, a significantly lower estimated working oxygen consumption was observed (p < .001) when the cooling suit was worn. The productivity was higher while workers wore the cooling suit as compared to no cooling suit (p = .011) whereas the error rates were significantly lower (p < .001). Also a significantly lower self-reported discomfort was observed in the neck and shoulders while working wearing the cooling suit (p = .004). This study concluded that wearing a cooling suit while working outdoors was associated with physiological benefits as well as improved task performance of the study participants.     

Prediction of Duration Limited Exposure for Participants Wearing Chemical Protective Clothing in the Cold

The suitability of the IREQ (insulation required) index for predicting the thermal responses of 6 participants wearing chemical protective clothing was tested during exercise at -20 and -25 °C. IREQ was used to calculate duration limited exposure (DLE). Measured DLE correlated (r= .899, p < .001) with the predicted DLE. In exposures exceeding 40 min, however, the predicted DLE tended to be 10-20 min too short compared to the measured one. During short exposures the prediction was 5-20 min too long. The results show that IREQ overestimated the cold strain in participants wearing chemical protective clothing during cold exposures longer than 40 min. Nevertheless, predicted DLE never exceeded measured times and thus the prediction was always safe from the occupational point of view.     

Occupational noise exposure and hearing defects among sawmill workers in the south of Thailand

The aim of this study was to investigate occupational noise exposure and hearing defects among sawmill workers in the south of Thailand. Seven hundred sawmill workers participated, of which 335 (47.9%) were male. The mean age of the sawmill workers was 33.5 years (SD 10.2), and more than 60% were <35 years old; 75.1% of the workers had less than 5 years of work experience. Only about one in four workers (25%) had been trained in use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and half of the participants never or rarely wore PPE while working. The prevalence rate of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) was 22.8% (N?=?42). Male workers had significantly higher risk than female workers (odds ratio [OR]?=?2.21). Workers aged older than 25 years had significantly higher risks for NIHL (OR?=?3.51–12.42) than workers younger than 25 years. Sawing workers had higher risk for NIHL than office workers (OR?=?3.07).     

The impact of mandatory versus voluntary participation in the Alberta ignition interlock program

Research has demonstrated that participation in an interlock program significantly reduces the likelihood of subsequent driving while intoxicated (DWI) convictions at least so long as the interlock device is installed in the vehicle. Despite the growing number of jurisdictions that allow interlock programs and the demonstrated success of these programs, the proportion of DWI offenders who actually have the device installed is minimal. In an effort to increase the proportion of offenders using interlocks, some jurisdictions require offenders to install an interlock as a condition of license reinstatement whereas others merely offer offenders a reduction in the period of hard suspension if they voluntarily participate in an interlock program. The objective of the present study was to determine the extent to which voluntary interlock participants are more or less successful in terms of subsequent recidivism than those for whom interlock program participation has been mandated. The issue was addressed using data from the interlock program in Alberta, Canada, which provides for both mandatory and voluntary participation. The recidivism experience of voluntary and mandatory interlock participants was examined both during and after the period of interlock installation. Cox regression revealed that, after controlling for (or equating) the number of prior DWI offenses, the survival rates of DWI offenders who were ordered to participate in the interlock program did not differ from those of voluntary participants. These results suggest that further use of mandatory interlock programs should be just as successful as voluntary programs when offenders share characteristics with those studied in Alberta.     

The impact of mandatory versus voluntary participation in the Alberta ignition interlock program

Research has demonstrated that participation in an interlock program significantly reduces the likelihood of subsequent driving while intoxicated (DWI) convictions at least so long as the interlock device is installed in the vehicle. Despite the growing number of jurisdictions that allow interlock programs and the demonstrated success of these programs, the proportion of DWI offenders who actually have the device installed is minimal. In an effort to increase the proportion of offenders using interlocks, some jurisdictions require offenders to install an interlock as a condition of license reinstatement whereas others merely offer offenders a reduction in the period of hard suspension if they voluntarily participate in an interlock program. The objective of the present study was to determine the extent to which voluntary interlock participants are more or less successful in terms of subsequent recidivism than those for whom interlock program participation has been mandated. The issue was addressed using data from the interlock program in Alberta, Canada, which provides for both mandatory and voluntary participation. The recidivism experience of voluntary and mandatory interlock participants was examined both during and after the period of interlock installation. Cox regression revealed that, after controlling for (or equating) the number of prior DWI offenses, the survival rates of DWI offenders who were ordered to participate in the interlock program did not differ from those of voluntary participants. These results suggest that further use of mandatory interlock programs should be just as successful as voluntary programs when offenders share characteristics with those studied in Alberta.