- The Relationship between Noise Exposure Level in Worksite and Workers' Stress symptoms.
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Kyung Ok Park, Myung Sun Lee
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Korean J Prev Med. 1996;29(2):239-254.
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- Health services on industrial noisy environment have been provided only for noise-induced hearing loss management until now. But gradually, modern diseases and death have come to be related to stress and mental health deeply, therefore noise-induced mental disorder, like a stress became very important. In this point, the purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between noise exposure level in worksite and workers' stress symptoms. This study included a survey of 786 manual workers selected from 89 worksites in 21 factories in Puchon. The results were as follows: 1. For demographic characteristics, most of the workers were males(80.8%), the 20~29 years old were 34.5% and those who graduated from high school were 65.3%. The workers whose monthly income ranged from 500,000 to 800,000 won were 37.5% and who have a religion were 47.9%. 2. For occupational characteristics, workers who had worked 1~5 years in the factories were 33.0%. Those who felt much for them workload were 43.9% and who worked more than 8 hours a day were 73.9 %. Those who were dissatisfied with their job and pay were 31.9% and 50.6%. The workers who responded ventilation condition of their worksites were bad were 51.9% and the dissatisfied with working environment of their wofksites were 45.9%. 3. Workers who were suffering from tinnitus were 53.3% and those who perceived hearing loss were 50.l%. Persons who reported they always wore earplugs at work were 35.4%. Those who felt earplugs bigger than their ears were 30.6% and those who experienced eardiseases caused by earplugs were 25.6%. 4. For the noise exposure level in worksite, workers who were exposed to 80-90dB were 30.3%, 90-100dB were 26.4% and 50~70dB were 19.2%. 5. workers' stress symptoms were significantly related to marital status and their monthly income p< 0.05). Workers who were single and had lower monthly income showed higher PSl (Psychiatric symptom Index) scores than those who were married and had higher monthly income. Higher PSl scores were also significantly related to l~2 days night-work per week, much for them workload, dissatisfaction with their job, and bad relationship with their bosses and coworkers. 6. Higher PSl scores were significantly related to severe tinnitus and perceived hearing loss p<0.001). Workers who felt the earplugs they use did not fit their ears showed significantly higher PSl scores(p<0.01). Workers who reported that they did not feel they need earplugs showed significantly higher PSl scores(p<0.05). Increased experience of eardisease caused by earplugs that did not fit were also significantly related to higher PSl scores(p<0.001). 7. The higher noise exposure level in worksite from 80dB was, the more severe stress symptoms including PSl subparts were reported; Anxiety, Anger, Depression, and cognitive disorder(p<0.001). 8. According to the results of stepwise multiple regression analysis, factors affecting workers' PSl scores were perceived hearing loss(R2=0.160), noise exposure level jn worksite(R2=0.110), relationship with coworkers, amount of workload, monthly income and relationship with bosses orderly and the total R2 of this 6 factors was 0.371. 9. The most significant factors that have impact on manual workers' stress symptoms were perceived hearing loss and noise exposure level in worksite, especially noise exposure level in the worksite was the most affective factor on the depression symptom.
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Summary
- A Study on the Physical and Mental Health Factors affecting Industrial Accidents.
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Myung Sun Lee, Jaehoon Roh, Young Hahn Moon
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Korean J Prev Med. 1989;22(3):355-367.
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- This study examined the physical and mental health factors affecting the industrial accidents of 142 injured and 1,212 uninjured workers in the shipbuilding industry from 1986 to 1988. The results acquired from the Todai Health Index (THI) and from analysis of the health examination were as follows: 1. Among the personal characteristics of the workers, the educational level of injured workers was significantly lower than that of the uninjured workers. 2. Among the physical characteristics, vision and R hrer Index of the injured workers were lower than those of the uninjured workers, and the difference was statistically significant. On the other hand, the differences in height, weight, hearing function, hematocrit, blood pressure, urine test, and X-ray findings were not statistically significant between the injured and uninjured workers. 3. The score of the THI questionnaire on the physical and mental health of the injured workers was higher than that of the uninjured workers, and the difference was statistically significant. 4. Form the THI score, the industrial workers had complained more about mental health than physical health and there was a statistically significant relation with the industrial accidents. 5. The relative risk expressed in terms of the odds ratio was 2.9 for poorer vision, 2.7 for a lower educational level, 2.2 for a higher THI score and 1.6 for overdrinking. 6. Educational level, vision, and the THI score were selected as significant factors influencing industrial accidents based on a log-linear model. According to the results of this model by logistic analysis, the odds ratio of industrial accidents was 1.8 for a lower educational level, 1.7 for poorer vision, and 1.6 for a higher THI score. 7. By event history analysis with the dependent variable as the duration of work at the time of the industrial accident, educational level, age, R hrer Index and THI score were the statistically significant variables selected, and the hazard rate of industrial accident occurrence was 0.24 for a lower educational level, 0.92 for age, 0.99 for a lower R hrer Index and 2.72 for a higher THI score. As we have seen, educational level and THI score were the most significant factors affecting the hazard rate of industrial accidents. Vision, R hrer Index, age, and drinking behavior were also statistically significant variables influencing industrial accidents. Therefore, in order to prevent industrial accidents, it is necessary to establish a health management plan for industry which can objectively evaluate not only the physical but also the mental health of the workers. If we use this type of study as a prospective study design, we can determine the relative risk of physical and mental health factors on industrial accidents. Furthermore, it is expected that this type of study will provide workers at high risk with more precise basic data for a health management plan for industrial accident prevention.
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