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Hearing Conservation Programme Costs at Selected South African Companies
Oscar Rikhotso1, Thabiso John Morodi1, Daniel Masilu Masekameni2
1Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
Annals of Work Exposures and Health
|January 31, 2023
Summary
South African companies rarely include cost analysis in noise risk assessments. Hearing conservation program administration costs are substantial, highlighting the need for better decision-making models in occupational noise management.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Risk Management
- Industrial Hygiene
Background:
- South African legislation mandates cost analysis for occupational health hazards like noise.
- Cost analysis is crucial for informed decision-making in risk management processes.
- Hearing conservation programs (HCPs) aim to minimize noise-induced hearing loss and involve significant administration costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if cost analysis is integrated into noise risk assessments in South African companies.
- To establish the administration costs associated with hearing conservation programs.
- To explore the role of cost analysis in enhancing noise risk management.
Main Methods:
- A study involving four companies from the manufacturing and utilities sectors in South Africa.
- Administration of a hearing conservation program (HCP) cost questionnaire to occupational hygiene professionals and risk officers.
- Analysis of cost data, including expenditures on hearing protection devices and audiometry.
Main Results:
- None of the participating companies incorporated cost analysis into their noise risk assessment processes.
- Company A incurred significantly higher HCP administration costs (4,290,014 Rands) compared to the other three companies combined (970,685 Rands).
- Hearing protection devices represented the largest expense, while audiometry was the least expensive due to in-house services.
Conclusions:
- Cost analysis is underutilized in South African noise risk assessments, despite its importance in decision-making.
- Hearing conservation program expenditures are substantial and recurring, often internalized as direct costs.
- The occupational hygiene profession needs to develop advanced decision-making models for noise risk management beyond basic measurements and PPE recommendations.
