STUDY OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SAFETY IN STEEL RE-ROLLING MILL WITH REFERENCE TO HIGH NOISE LEVEL AND TEMPERATURE

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the exposure to noise and temperature in a steel re- rolling mill. The measured noise and temperature values were then compared with international standards set by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Our results indicate that temperature level was high at two places of the mill i.e. furnace and re-rolling mill sections with the average value of 67 °C and 39°C respectively, which exceeds OSHA limit of 25-30 °C for comfortable working temperature. The average noise level at furnace section was satisfactory but that at the re-rolling mill was found to be 102 dB, whereas OSHA has set the limit to be 92 dB for 6 hours work shift. A pair-wise t-test indicated that the noise level at all factory zones was signifcantly different than that of administration section with a p-value < 0.0001. The re-rolling noise level was found to be extremely signifcant, followed by furnace and unloading section. Likewise the indoor factory heat level is also signifcant from outside air temperature. The interview survey revealed that the workers exposed to these chronic conditions in the factory are suffering from post work irritability, headache, fatigue, eye infection and heat exhaustion. It was therefore, recommended that the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA) should strictly implement and follow-up on the occupational safety laws, adopt shift rotation and ensure reduction in the length of exposure of each worker i.e. 1.5 to 2 hours instead of 6 hours work in these working conditions.