Occupational Health Problems Associated with Noise Exposure and Control Measures Among Structural Welding Workers in Bonny LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Occupational, Health Problems, Structural Fabrication, Control Measures, WorkersAbstract
Structural welding and fabrication are critical to the development of large-scale infrastructural projects and equipment that power urban cities. This study assessed the occupational health problems associated with noise exposure and control measures among workers in the structural welding and fabrication industry in Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State. The research design adopted in this study was a descriptive survey design. The study population comprised an estimated 250 structural welding and metal fabrication workers in Bonny Local Government Area. The study sampled all consisted of the entire population of structural welders. Therefore, the sample size of 250 was used. A census sampling technique was adopted. A self-structured test instrument was used for data collection. All analyses were done with the aid of Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS V-27). Each finished test instrument was allocated a unique code. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages (%), mean, and standard deviation for noise level, and other research issues. The null hypotheses were tested at the.05 alpha level using inferential regression statistics. The study found that 99.9% of respondents (42.9%) were exposed to harmful levels of noise. Noise exposure had a significant impact on workers' physical, physiological, social, and mental health. The result showed a good level of control measures utilised by the workers. It was recommended that the government, through the Ministry of Environment, must engage in frequent sound level monitoring to confirm workers’ exposure levels are within the acceptable limits set by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.
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