- Title
- Perceptions of employees at an automotive-manufacturing company regarding the use of hearing -protection devices
- Creator
- Ngcipe, Thanduxolo Kemsley
- Subject
- Hearing aids
- Date Issued
- 2020
- Date
- 2020
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Masters
- Type
- MCur
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46360
- Identifier
- vital:39592
- Description
- Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) develops as a result of continuous excessive noise-exposure levels above 85 dB(A) occupational exposure limit (OEL), over an average period of eight hours per day. Many employees incur hearing loss during a period of five to ten years of employment. Noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented and even be eliminated if the exposed employees adhere to the proper and consistent use of hearing protection devices (HPDs). However, non-compliance makes it impossible to eliminate NIHL. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of employees working in an automotive manufacturing company with regard to the use of HPDs and to make recommendations to the company’s management in relation to the findings of the study. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used to conduct this study. The research sample comprised all employees working in noise-zone areas above 85 dB(A). Purposive sampling was used to select the research sample. The data were collected by using in-depth interviews. The data analysis was conducted by using Tesch’s method of data analysis. A pilot study was conducted before the main study. Ethical considerations were adhered to throughout the study. The main findings revealed that the participants at the automotive manufacturing company were knowledgeable about the use of different types of HPDs that are used in their work environment even though some participants do not use it all the time. Most employees were aware of the hazardous noise levels emitted by hydraulic presses in their areas, however, some employees become accustomed to the level of noise and ignore using HPDs. Some employees reported use of their preferred types of HPDs. However, issues like comfort design and work-related communications were factors influencing the use of HPDs. In conclusion, it is evident that the people were knowledgeable about the types of hearing protection devices that are used in their areas and the reasons for them. However, the study findings revealed that the employees are not directly involved in selecting the type of HPDs with which they are comfortable. This could have a negative effect on the employees’ morale and their compliance with the use of HPDs. Based on the research findings, the recommendations were made, according to training and future research.
- Format
- xii, 100 leaves
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
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NMU School of Clinical Care Sciences
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | Ngcipe, TK 205037356 Dissertation April 2020.pdf | 944 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |