Occupational noise exposure of utility workers using task based and full shift measurement comparisons

INTRODUCTION: The main purpose of this study was to determine if a combination of area noise measurements and task activity diaries give a reasonable estimate of full-shift dosimeter measurements in a cohort of utility workers. Few studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of using task-based noise exposures to estimate full shift time weighted average (TWA) noise exposures. METHODS: Estimates of full shift time TWA noise exposures for a group of utility workers (n = 224) were calculated using dosimeter measurements. Area noise measurements using a sound level meter were used to recreate the TWA for each personal dosimetry sample based on detail provided in the task activity diary for each sample. Full shift TWA noise exposures were compared to corresponding area noise measurements using simple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Associations between full shift TWA measurements and task-based area measurements were closely associated, with R(2) values above 0.85 for all job roles. DISCUSSION: Task-based noise exposure analysis has the potential to be widely used in the utilities industry. While full-shift monitoring to determine TWA exposures is useful, the changing work environment, variability in tasks and equipment, and varying workday hours, limit the ability of the 8-hr TWA to accurately characterise the exposures and associated health risks for utility workers.