Application of noise control programme with using participatory method in a plant and outcome

Aim :The aim of this study were to evaluate the application of noise control programme, knowledge, attitudes and practice about noise, training about the using of the personal protective device, threshold shift of odiometric measurement and average points on checklist of noise control programme.Methods: The study was conducted in a refrigerator production plant which consists of 128 employees working in the exposure environment where the noise level is 80 dB(A) and over. According to the Kern?s method education of health effects of noise and personal protective device usage were prepared.The NIOSH standards used for the evaluation of threshold shift on odiometric measurements and the effects of noise control programme.Statistical analysis:The effects of the training course regarding the knowledge and attitudes were analysed by paired sample t test. The difference in the frequency of personal protective device usage between pre and post training courses was assessed by McNemar chi-square test.Results:The knowledge and attitudes of the workers about noise were found significantly increased 4 months after the initial training (p<0.001). The frequency of post training personal protective device usage was also increased significantly (p=0.001). Before the noise control programme the average point was 90.4, after six months later then the using of the noise control programme it became 132.6. After the control programme the significantly threshold shift was 7.9 %.Conclusion: The training course and noise control programme were found constructive to improve knowledge of the workers and positively affected the attitudes and practice of the workers with regard to protection from the noise.Key words:Noise, noise control programme, participatory methot, noise induced hearing loss ,