Variability and Determinants of Occupational Noise Exposure Among Iron and Steel Factory Workers in Tanzania

BACKGROUND: Machines, processes, and tasks in the iron and steel factories may produce noise levels that are harmful to hearing if not properly controlled. Studies documenting noise exposure levels and related determinants in sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania are lacking. The aim of this study was to document noise exposure and to identify determinants of noise exposure with a view to establishing an effective hearing conservation programme. METHODS: A walk-through survey was conducted to describe the working environment in terms of noise sources in four metal factories (A–D) in Tanzania. Noise measurements were conducted by both personal, full-shift noise measurements (8 h) using dosimeters and area measurements (10-s measurements) using a sound level meter. A total of 163 participants had repeated personal noise measurements (Factory A: 46 participants, B: 43, C: 34, and D: 40). Workers were randomly selected and categorized into 13 exposure groups according to their job. Linear mixed effects models were used to identify significant determinants of noise exposure in the furnace section and the rolling mill section. RESULTS: The average personal noise exposure in the four factories was 92.0 dB(A) (range of job group means; 85.4–96.2 dB(A)) (n = 326). Personal exposure was significantly higher in the rolling mill section (93.0 dB(A)) than in the furnace section (89.6 dB(A)). Among the job groups, the cutters located in the rolling mill section had the highest noise exposure (96.2 dB(A)). In the furnace section, furnace installation (below the ground floor), manual handling of raw materials/billets/crowbars, and billet weighing/transfer were significant determinants explaining 40% of the total variance in personal noise exposure. In the rolling mill section, the size of the cutting machine, steel billet weight and feeding re-heating furnace explained 46% of the total variance in personal noise exposure. The mean noise level of the area measurements was 90.5 dB(A) (n = 376). CONCLUSION: Workers in the four iron and steel factories in Tanzania were exposed to average noise of 92.0 dB(A), without using hearing protection, implying a high risk of developing hearing loss. Task and factory level determinants were identified in the furnace and the rolling mill sections of the plant, which can inform noise control in factories with similar characteristics.