OSHPN
OSHPN
Call for Action
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a significant occupational health hazard that affects workers exposed to high levels of noise in industries. The Government of Nepal has prescribed noise standards to protect workers from NIHL, but the implementation of these standards and regular audiometry examinations remains a challenge. As an OSH Professional, I call upon government officials, trade unions, industry, professionals, academicians, and all stakeholders to prioritize the implementation of noise standards and promote audiometry training in Nepal.
Audiometry examinations play a critical role in detecting early signs of NIHL and preventing further damage to workers' hearing. Regular audiometric testing can help identify early signs of hearing damage and prevent further damage, improving workplace safety and health, and increasing productivity and efficiency. The benefits of audiometry examinations include reduced NIHL cases at the workplace, avoiding costly compensation claims and legal action, and demonstrating management commitment towards a Health & Safety culture. However, the constraints of audiometry examinations include the need for specialized equipment, trained personnel, and standardized reporting mechanisms. The disadvantages include the potential for false positives or negatives and the need for regular testing to monitor changes in hearing.
The enforcement of job rotation in high exposed noise hazards and regular inspection, provisions in job description, coordination, reporting, research, inspection, and facilitation are essential in ensuring the effective implementation of the policy. Employers are required to provide audiometric testing at no charge to relevant employees in order to monitor the hearing of workers exposed to hazardous noise levels. Regular training and education for OSH personnel, the provision of various types of hearing protection devices and training in their proper use and insertion, baseline and annual audiometric testing, records management, and follow-up procedures as necessary are essential for the enforcement of noise standards.
The training on Audiometer Operation and Reporting conducted by Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Nepal at Kathmandu Medical College, supported by the ILO Country Office, Nepal, is a valuable contribution to promoting best practices in audiometry examinations and reporting. The training program provides attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to address noise-related hazards in their workplaces, emphasizing the importance of addressing noise-related hazards in the workplace, providing practical examples and case studies to illustrate the concepts and emphasize the importance of implementing appropriate noise control measures.
The government of Nepal has established the standard of permissible exposure limit (PEL) for noise in the workplace, as published in the Nepal Gazette on 15 April 2017. This standard, based on an eight-hour time-weighted average, sets the PEL at 90 dBA for all workers during an eight-hour workday. The notification, in accordance with Section 36 of the Labour Act,( 1992 of the time which is revised in year 2017) , empowers the government to determine safety standards in the workplace. The PEL for noise is structured with a 5 dBA exchange rate, meaning that for every 5 dBA increase in noise level, the allowable exposure time is halved. For instance, the PEL ranges from 95 dBA for four hours to 115 dBA for 15 minutes a day, with no exposure permitted above 115 dBA. The monitoring procedure for noise levels follows the guidelines of the International Standard ISI 1996 and 1999.
Occupational noise-induced hearing loss is a significant concern arising from exposure to high noise levels. The government's initiative to set PEL standards aims to mitigate the risks associated with excessive noise in the workplace. Noise levels exceeding the established PEL can lead to distractions, unsafe working conditions, and potential hearing loss among workers. High noise levels over prolonged periods of time can lead to permanent hearing loss, say various reports.
The government has also recommended the minimum light illumination level for workplace depending on the types of work and place. The lux (unit of illumination) should not be less than between 10 and 100. Emergency exit and emergency pathways shall have 10 lux, inactive storage 20 lux, rough active storage and warehouse 50 lux, machine work 100 lux, checking and sorting 300 lux, weaving dark coloured woolen goods 500 lux and jewellery and watch manufacturing 1000 lux. Any local light, that is to say, an artificial light designed to illuminate, particularly the area or part of the area of work of a single operative or small group of operatives working near each other, shall be provided with a suitable shade of opaque material to prevent glare with other effective means by which the light source is completely screened from the eyes of every person employed at a normal working place, or shall be so place that no such person is exposed to glare therefrom, said the notification.
I call upon all stakeholders to prioritize the implementation of noise standards and promote audiometry training in Nepal. Regular audiometric testing, training and education for OSH personnel, the provision of various types of hearing protection devices, and regular inspections are essential for the enforcement of noise standards and the prevention of NIHL. Let us work together to prioritize the health and safety of workers in Nepal.