Occupational Noise Exposure in Mechanical and Maintenance Workshops in a Food Industry: Case Study

Occupational noise exposure in industrial environments presents considerable hazards to workers' health and welfare. This case study analyzes the noise levels in the Maintenance & Workshop units of a small-scale food industry in Saudi Arabia, and assesses the related health impacts. The research indicates that noise levels are often above the advised safety limits, with several locations recording measures over 85 dBA, hence increasing the risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), cardiovascular complications, and psychological distress. Survey data indicates that around 32% of employees claimed that they suffer from hearing impairment, while a considerable number claimed cardiovascular and mental health problems.