Noise exposure and hearing conservation practices in an industry with high incidence of workers' compensation claims for hearing loss.
BACKGROUND
Washington State has experienced a striking increase in workers' compensation claims for hearing loss.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study examined noise exposures and hearing conservation practices in one industry with a high rate of hearing loss claims. We evaluated 10 representative foundries with personal noise dosimetry, management interviews, employee interviews, and existing audiometry.


RESULTS
Noise levels routinely exceeded 85 dBA. All companies were out of compliance with hearing conservation regulations. Most employees with important findings on audiograms were not aware of their findings. There was a significant positive correlation between management-interview scores and worksite-average employee-interview scores (r = 0.70, P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Companies where more effort is put into hearing conservation program activities can achieve a greater positive impact on employee awareness. However, there were broad deficiencies even in the better programs in this sample, suggesting that workers in this industry probably face a continuing substantial risk of occupational hearing loss.
Daniell
William E
WE
Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-7234, USA. bdanielle@u.washington.edu
Swan
Susan S
SS
McDaniel
Mary M
MM
Stebbins
John G
JG
Seixas
Noah S
NS
Morgan
Michael S
MS
D000328:Adult; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*