Occupational hazard
Workers in noisy coal washeries have been shown to suffer considerable hearing loss. According to one study, 20 per cent of washery workers had mildly handicapped hearing -- hearing loss becomes a handicap when the ability to hear conversational speech is impaired -- while the others developed slight hearing impairment. Among unexposed workers, only 30 per cent developed slight impairment, while the remaining had no significant hearing loss (Indian Journal of Environmental Protection, Vol 12 No 5).
Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause heart ailments, hypertension, ulcers, insomnia, irritability and the inability to think and perform assigned tasks. The results of the study are not conclusive, but it does suggest noise levels in washeries should be reduced.
Related Content
- Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate
- Addressing the impact of climate change on women farmers’ health in South Asia
- Plastic waste in road construction- a path worth paving?: application of dry process in South Asia
- Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding explosion in a pharma company, Valsad, Gujarat, 15/03/2023
- Extreme heat: preparing for the heatwaves of the future
- Report on behalf of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Haldia refinery regarding flash fire leaving 3 dead and 44 injured, 06/01/2021