Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 89-0026-2495, Hamilton Fire Department,Hamilton, Ohio

摘要

In response to a request from the Deputy Chief for Operations and Administration,an investigation was begun into possible hazardous noise exposures conditions faced by members of the Hamilton Fire Department (SIC-9224), Hamilton, Ohio during their work activities. Six fire stations were maintained throughout the city, manned by approximately 100 fire fighters. Noise surveys were conducted which indicated that the 24 hour cumulative noise doses were generally less than the amount allowed under any of the environmental evaluation criteria used by NIOSH. However, portions of the analyses indicated that there were noise levels that greatly exceeded the exposure limits for brief periods of time. These were usually associated with emergency response runs of the fire vehicles. Analysis of the audiometric data collected for 90 of the firemen indicated a decline in hearing ability in the high frequency sound region, characteristic of noise induced hearing loss. The author concludes that a health hazard existed for fire fighters. The author recommends that measures be taken to reduce the noise exposure to the fire fighters and help prevent any further loss of hearing.