Development and pilot test of hearing conservation training for construction workers.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Audiology
• Safety Engineering

Background:

• Construction workers have low hearing protection device (HPD) usage rates.
• HPD training is often not provided in construction settings.
• Developing effective hearing conservation programs is crucial for this industry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot test a hearing conservation training program for construction workers.
• To assess the impact of the training on HPD usage and worker attitudes.

Main Methods:

• A theoretical model guided the training program's design for effectiveness and flexibility.
• Training effectiveness was evaluated using noise dosimetry and a survey on HPD beliefs and attitudes.
• The program was pilot tested at a single construction site with 23 workers.

Main Results:

• Post-training, the percentage of time workers used HPDs during noise above 85 dBA nearly doubled.
• This increase in HPD usage was statistically significant.
• The training positively influenced workers' attitudes towards HPDs.

Conclusions:

• Basic, model-based training can significantly increase HPD use in construction.
• This approach is effective even with complex noise exposures.
• The findings support the implementation of similar training programs to enhance hearing conservation.