Study of noise exposure at the ground operations of King Abdul Aziz International Air port

Airport ground service operators are oftenly exposed to unsafe noise levels. The Saudi Arabian Airlines [SAUDIA] has been aware of this problem among their air Traffic Control Coordinators [TCC] and urged this study with the objectives of assessing the magnitude of the problem of occupational noise exposure of TCC in King Abdul-Aziz International Airport [KAAIA] during the travel peak season of the summer vacation of 2003G, and recommending noise control strategy and remedial actions. Noise was measured around "large planes" and "small planes" work stations and in other locations used by TCC, and their Time weighted Averages [TWAs] were computed. Noise levels higher than the recommended TLV of 85 dB[A] exist around planes, particularly at airplane's rear right side, due to operation of servicing vehicles and auxiliary air conditioning equipment. However, the computed TCC-TWA noise levels indicate that the shift-work-schedule which was recommended to be implemented by SAUDIA has successfully reduced their noise exposure to acceptable levels. Even though, it has been recommended to encourage SAUDIA operators to wear ear protectors where noise level higher than 85 dB[A] exist, and to subject them to periodical audiometric testing to detect the extra-auditory-sensitive individuals and to protect SAUDIA from false claims

Study of improving work in the main sacrifice facility during Hajj season

Animal [mostly sheep] sacrifice for [Had'ie], [Fad'ie] and [Sadaka] had created many environmental problems at the Holy Muna area, until the Sacrifice Benefiting Project [SBP] was established to handle nearly one half of the sacrificed animal [640,000 sacrifices] under controlled conditions in 6 [Model] sacrifice facilities. The work operations in the Me'aesam [Model] facility No. 1, which had been equipped for processing 300,000 sacrifices, was studied in order to have them optimized, as well as the labourers work schedule and the use of sacrifice products. The facility was surveyed, together with reviewing and analysing data of a previously conducted motion-time study of operations. The time required for hanging the sacrificed sheep on rack and the time required for hide removal are the longest among the 14 present operations, and both operations hold the others [i.e. bottle necking]. Different operation alternatives were tried, and the best among them, considering easiness, practicability, cost-effectiveness and fulfillment of Islamic rules, includes only 10 operations with considerable change in operations sequence, but none in the hardware; however, requires increase in labour-force to the two [bottle-neck] operations, with reductions in others, making up a total labour increase of 20%. The total basic time of all operations is reduced by 43.6%, with increase in production by 37.8%, which may be further raised to 83.8% if the work schedule is increased from 10.5 work shifts on [Tashrik] days to 14 shifts. This can be achieved by adding 3 shifts before and 0.5 shift after [Tashrik] as may be allowed by [Shafie Madh-hab]; however, this would require the issue of a religious [Fatwa]. Moreover, the wastes, representing 53% of the sheep weight, could be optimally processed; visceras may be washed, packed and distributed for human use; blood may be collected while anticoagulated, dried and used as poultry ration; hides may be removed carefully under supervision, cleaned, salted and sent for tanning; stomach and intestine contents and other wastes may be treated and used as animal rations and organic manures, as well as for manufacture of animal fat, medicinals and other articles; meanwhile, eliminating the environmental impact of their disposal

Appraising safety performance in king Abdul Aziz university campus facilities

The present study was conducted to appraise safety in different facilities of King Abdul-Aziz University [KAUU] Campus, particularly in laboratories including students dormitories. It was concluded that safety conditions at KAAU campus are needed to be improved. This conclusion has been reached considering construction features, layout, furniture, ventilation, illumination, electrical safety, equipment arrangement and operation, safe storage and handling and disposal of hazardous materials, fire safety, safety equipment and safety practices within the campus. Moreover, safety situation in prefabricated buildings was worse than in concrete structured buildings due to the aging of the former and overlooking of safety standards

Study of illumination in Jeddah metallurgical industries

The present study was conducted in 10 metallurgical industries in Jeddah, including 40 departments performing sheet works, machining, assembly, inspection and painting, with the objectives of testing the compliance of illumination levels with the recommended standards, exploring contributing factors to discovered anomalies, and recommending remedies for deficient illumination areas. Results indicated that illumination is satisfactory during day in 65% of the 40 surveyed departments, while at night, it is not satisfactory in 90% of the 19 department that have night shifts. A 1: 10 windows and open doors area to floor area ratio seems to be a decisive factor for satisfactory illumination during day time. Deficient illumination levels are mainly attributed to improper layout distribution of light fixtures, fusion of many lamps and deficient illumination of others, accumulation of dust and dirt on luminaires, window glass, ceilirgs and walls, and low reflectance of surrounding articles. Recommendations to remedy these deficiencies were suggested

Study of noise pollution during hajj

Noise was assessed during Hajj season of 1417 H [March-April, 1997G] in 10 locations where pilgrims stay when performing Hajj. The results demonstrated existence of noise pollution problem as revealed from comparing noise levels there before and during Hajj days with corresponding noise backgrounds. This problem has been attributed to Hajj activities including stationary, mobile crowds, moving traffic masses, and other sources of noise. An outline for a control strategy to abate the problem was presented

Study of illumination in King Abdul Aziz university campus

The present study was conducted in the Campus of King Abdul-Aziz University [KAU] with the objectives of testing the compliance of illumination levels in the different facilities with the recommended standards, exploring causes of discovered anomalies and recommending remedies for deficient illumination areas

Study of noise pollution in Jeddah schools

Noise was measured in classrooms of a stratified random sample of 20 schools in Jeddah. The mean "Average" Leg levels [60-89.2 dB[A]] highly exceed the recommended maximum levels [42-55 db[A]]. Noise is higher in the classes adjacent to the streets than in those facing the school courts, particularly at the busy areas, and in the schools of the busy areas than of the semi-busy and of the residential areas But, noise is lower in the pre-cast structure schools than in the concrete schools due to the better insulating characteristics of the former, and the higher noise induced by the window-type air conditioning units use and in the latter However, the students' recreational activities have equal noise impact in the primary, intermediate and secondary schools It has been recommended to build schools in low-noise background location to reduce transmitted noise by proper city planning, traffic engineering and improved construction characteristics, and to properly select and maintain the air conditioning systems

Analytical study of the safety records of a leading seaport in the GCC

The pertinent records of the year 1411 H [1990/1991] for a leading seaport of a member state of GCC were examined for appraising safety performance there. The recorded accidents during this year included 270 accidents without injuries, 58 first-aid accidents and 138 work injuries [leading to absence off work] and 4 fatalities. The injury frequency rate there [3.41] is comparable with similar agencies, while the Severity rate [725.2] is considerably higher. Collision of transport, lifting and material handling equipment represents the major type of work accident [58.9%], while the highest injury rates occurred in maintenance and Operation of marine equipment, followed by loading and unloading, then housekeeping Meanwhile, the rate of accidents showed considerable increase :a- during summer months, b- during the peak months of the Gulf. war followed by re-export of war equipment, c- in the middle days of the week, d- during the 4th and 8th hours of shift, with a sharp decrease during and after lunch hours, and, e- among workers performing highly technical jobs; however, decreased by gaining experience with the long duration of employment. Most of the accidents could be prevented by proper training of workers and appropriate supervision, since their cause was unsafe acts due to lack of attention and/or of supervision

Child labour in Egypt. I. Occupational and socio-economic aspects

The present study comprised 1000 child and young workers in small and medium-size industries in Alexandria, as well as 250 control subjects. Almost all young workers work for more than 40 hours/week and suffer from fatigue. Workers' family needs rather than the lack of family care is the responsible factor for sending the child to work, and the economic problems seem to be the underlying factor for all other problems of child labour. Work improves labourers socio-economic status and smoking habit, and provides a chance for their personal contacts and interactions, which are reflected on their level of intellectual. capabilities; however, it has some impact on their food habits affecting their achievement of balanced diet; and no drug addiction exists among all the studied subjects. Noise and dust represent the main occupational exposures [84.4% and 55.8% respectively], followed by exposure to heat [25.3%], vapors and gases [10 4%] and biological materials [9.0%], and nearly 2/3 of the workers have combined exposures. Work injuries occurred to 18.4% of the workers and 7.4% had more than one injury during employment; however, nearly 1/3 of the injuries required absenteeism off work and/on hospitalization. The injuries have been typically related to industrial operations, occurring mostly to hands and fingers [80.4%], and are mainly attributed to lack of training [63.0%]. The health services presented to the workers are very poor. The study has been concluded 'by recommending making the work safe, free from hazards, and ergonomically fit to children, providing educational and training services, covering young workers by social security, and revising legislation of child labour

Child labour in Egypt. II. Impact of work environment on health

The studied population [1000 children and young workers and 250 controls] were interviewed for health complaints and subjected to extensive medical investigations. Health problems are more encountered among the workers than in the controls, which has been attributed to the impact of work on health and to the low socioeconomic background that compels the children to work, which may constitute a potential health problem from the start. The significant health problems include : a] Respiratory system complaints, attacks of cough, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and reduction in FEV[1.0]/FVC; b] cardiovascular abnormalities including palpitations, sinus tachycardia, anemia, vertigo and syncope. C] gastrointestinal abnormalities including .dyspepsia and parasitic infestations; d] neuropsychiatric complaints; and e] other health problems including urinary tract infections, backache, visual impairment repair of hernia and nocturnal enuresis. The study has been concluded by recommending the use of primary health care approach to child labour, emphasizing the importance of pre-employment and periodical medical examinations for protecting this vulnerable group from work hazards, and expanding the efforts of family planning to reduce family size

Study of noise pollution in Jeddah hospitals

The present study was conducted on a sample of 6 hospitals in Jeddah to investigate the status of noise pollution there, and as related to community background noise, operational activities hospital size and operational concepts [public vs private]. Generally, the levels of noise in the clinics, patient rooms, offices, waiting areas and corridors significantly exceed the recommended standard. The noise levels in the machinery rooms significantly exceed the levels in offices, waiting areas and corridors which, in turn, significantly exceed the levels in clinics and patient rooms. Background community noise has a little impact on indoor noise due to the construction characteristics of the hospitals' buildings. However, "operational noise" from machinery and from the move of public [patients, attendants and employees] significantly contribute to indoor noise. Proper site location, city planning, traffic engineering, building construction, equipment selection, construction and equipment maintenance, and system management have been recommended for the abatement of hospital noise pollution

comparative environmental and medical study of dust exposure in jute and cotton mills in Burma

Jute is extensively cultivated and processed in Burma, as well as [lower-grade] cotton. This study was conducted there to compare dust exposure in jute and cotton mills, to study the acute and chronic effects of dust exposure on workers, and to establish exposure-response relationship. A sample of 799 male and female workers in two jute mills and two cotton textile mills, as well as a control group of 153 matching subjects, was examined, and dust exposure in the work environment was evaluated. Very high dust concentrations existed in the early stages of jute processing and sorting, which were reduced when jute fibers got cleaner, as in drawing and spinning, and were related to the grade of the processed fiber. Much lower concentrations of dust existed in the cotton mills, but exceeded the TLV [ACGIH] only in openning and cleaning and in carding operations. However, byssinosis occurred only in workers exposed to cotton dust, particularly among males, and its prevalence was related to the level and duration of dust exposure. Chronic bronchitis, cough and wheezing occurred at higher rates among all workers than in the control, while irritation to nose and throat, eyes and skin prevailed only among jute workers. A significant reduction in FVC, FEV[1.0] and PEF [before and during shift] was observed in workers compared to control subjects, and was related to workers' exposure and age; however, this reduction was not related to symptoms of different respiratory conditions. [Cheroots] smoking was found to be an important potentiating factor in the occurrence of non-specific respiratory diseases and reduction in FEV[1.0], particularly among jute workers

Occupational combined exposure to carbon disulfide and lead

This study comprises 118 workers exposed to CS[2] vapour, 90 exposed to CS[2] vapour and Pb fumes [combined-exposure workers], 96 exposed to Pb, and 94 control subjects. They were subjected to medical examination, performance of ECG, measurement of pulmonary function and biomonitoring of blood Pb and/or urinary iodine azide. Signs presenting significantly high prevalence among combined exposure workers included: pain in hands and feet, decrease or absence of knee and ankle reflexes, decrease of FEV[1.0] /FVC and predicted FEV[1.0] hypotension, increase of heart rate and sinus tachycardia, and decrease in level of cholesterol. However, presented data indicated precipitation of ischaemic heart diseases due to chronic Pb exposure. It has been suggested that the combined exposure to CS[2] and Pb has an additive effect on the heart rate and prevalence of sinus tachycardia; although it appeared to cause hypotension and reduction in the level of cholesterol which have been suggested to be further investigated

Occupational safety and health in the construction of the High Dam of Egypt: part II, follow-up of health hazards

This is a follow-up study of environmental and health problems in the construction of the High Dam of Egypt, presenting simple methodology in planning and implementation which was intended to help in the development of health services in a well known heavy construction project. Its publication would demonstrate ways and means that may guide similar projects in developing countries. The High Dam project lasted from 1962 to 1967. Environmental and health evaluations were undertaken in 1962, 1965 and 1966. These comprised measurement of heat, noise, dust and exhaust gases, as well as medical examination of a sample of 230 workers in different operations. The findings revealed that workers were exposed to extremely unfavourable air and globe temperature [up to 40 - 50°C and 40 -62°C respectively]; noise up to 98 - 103 dBA, carbon monoxide, aldehyde [s] and nitrogen oxides up to 50 - 500 ppm, 1.6 -6.3 ppm and 0.7 - 15.0 ppm; and air-borne dust ranging from 3 to 370 times the recognized exposure limit at the time. Occupationally related diseases such as pneumoconiosis, chronic bronchitis and emphysema prevailed in 4.5 - 5.8%, 33 - 35% and 5 - 10% respectively of workers exposed in various operations. Endemic diseases, mainly schistosomiasis, gastrointestinal disease and eye infections prevailed at high rates among examined workers. The study was concluded by presentation of a plan of work for occupational and non-occupational health care of workers in similar projects in developing countries

Impact of industrialization on productivity and socioeconomic patterns of the rural community in Egypt: II- a comparative study of socioeconomic status of flax processing workers in rural and urban communities

This study was conducted to substantiate the conclusions stated in [Part I] that industrialization would improve the socio-economic status of a rural community, while benefit from rural ethics relative to productivity and worker-management relationship, and, also, to further support the approach of enhancing industrialization of rural communities. The study was conducted on samples of workers involved in flax processing and included: 350 workers in an urban community employed in a flax mill, 454 workers in a rural community using semi-mechanical technology and 456 workers in a rural community using primitive work methods. Results have shown that [semi-mechanization] of flax processes increased workers productivity and both their monthly and per capita income, and reduced physical exertion. Such improvements were reflected in workers in the form of better housing, better nutritional status, more stability in work and better general economic status. In the urban community, in spite of the highest monthly and per capita incomes, the relative high expenditure led to poor housing conditions, poor nutritional status and poor economic status among the workers of this community. However, these workers received Health Insurance medical services which was reflected in their health status which was better than that of workers in rural communities. It has thus been concluded that industrialization of rural communities would improve the socio-economic status of workers; however, this needs to be substantiated by provision of proper health services in order to optimize its impact

Guidelines for industrial hygiene practice by health inspectors in developing countries

Occupational health services in developing countries are not developed at the same rate of industrialization; in the meantime, the size of the occupational health problems is considerably underestimated. One of the major problems is the acute shortage of professional staff. The training and utilization of such personnel requires making maximum use of the relatively low skilled personnel, continuous training and career development, and optimal utilization of individuals with specialized training. The scope of health inspection should consider compliance with regulations, advising employers, encouraging employer-worker collaboration, prevention of diseases, promotion of workers health and safety, and promotion of environmental conditions for the comfort of the workers and consequent increasing job efficiency. The inspection services and routine surveys are directed towards implementing this in the workplaces in towns, as well as in the remote areas; while research is only undertaken for unique problems. The optimal development and operation of the health inspection program considers, first, investigating the actual needs and existing possibilities in the country, followed by creating favourable organizational climate wherein responsibilities are clearly defined and conflicts minimized between the concerned organizations, and creating liaison with concerned non-governmental agencies, particularly the educational institutions and the community health and safety organizations. The frequent use of external resources such as visiting experts and corresponding institution increases program effectiveness. Emphasis is placed on the education of employers and employees and on creating confidence between them and the inspectors. Simple appropriate methods for evaluation of workers exposures should be developed and used whenever possible. Equipment and facilities may be submitted at three levels of activity: [a] recognision, [b] minimum evaluation, and [c] definitive evaluation. Operation manuals, including hazards inventory procedures, evaluation methods and control measures must be developed. The program should be subjected to continuous self-evaluation of all levels of operations

study of air pollution in Alexandria

The present study was conducted in 1975 to assess the magnitude of the problem of air pollution in Alexandria, determine major sources of pollution and their contribution to the overall problem and evaluate the role of metreological features of the city on this problem. Samples of settled deposits and total suspended particulate [TSP], as well as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, were collected from 12 stations distributed throughout Alexandria, and were further-analysed for sulfate, nitrate, chloride, other water-soluble fractions, organic matters, minerals and trace elements. Results revealed: [a] higher level of total deposits on the city than the acceptable one especially in the industrial sector; [b] higher levels of TSP, and sulfate content, than the acceptable levels; [c] variation of the levels of sulfate, nitrate, chloride, organic matters and ash, and the trace elements sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, lead, zinc and copper in the different sectors of the city as related to industrial and human activities there; [d] variation of the levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide as related to industrial and traffic activities and to dispersion of the pollutants by prevailing wind; and [e] that the prevailing metreological conditions have a major impact on the levels of the pollutants. It has been recommended to: [a] limit establishing new industries in only the southern sector of Alexandria [e.g. Amria], [b] transfer industries presenting major pollution sources into this zone with subsequent installment of air pollution control equipment, [c] proper management of traffic, [d] examination of vehicle engines and control of impaired ones, [e] proper management of construction, and [f] management of city cleaning

Byssinosis and other respiratory conditions as related to dust exposure in mechanical flax processing in Egypt

This study comprised half [n =224] of the workers in a typical flax processing factory in Egypt. Byssinosis was present in 45.1% of the workers, 38.0% of them had their FEV[1.0], reduced >/= 10% and 96.9% had the predicted FVC

environmental and medical study of byssinosis and other respiratory conditions in waste cotton processing in Egypt

In the present study all workers in a waste cotton processing plant located in Alexandria [n=185] were examined and their dust exposure evaluated. Results of the study showed that workers in waste cotton processing are exposed, to considerably high levels of dustiness. Byssinosis prevailed in 26.5% of examined workers and 26.7% of them had their FEV[1.0] reduced by more than 10% on the first work day after the weekend. Both the rate and grade of these syndromes increased with duration of exposure. Smoking significantly affected the FEV[1.0] reduction. The prevalence of byssinosis and FEV[1.0] reduction has been shown to be related to dust concentration and composition of dust; the relation with dust concentration seems to be curvilinear

Study of cement dermatitis and other occupational dermatoses among workers in the building trades of Egypt

This study was performed on 938 workers involved in building construction and 220 control subjects. Each subject was interviewed for personal, family and medical histories and subjected to dermatological examination and patch testing with potassium dichromate. Most of the occupational dermatoses prevailed at considerably higher rates than in other countries that was attributed to the manual nature of the building construction in Egypt. However, cement eczema occurred at a considerably lower rate [1.8%] that was partially related to racial factors and to the mulatto colour of the Egyptians. The past history of allergy, the poor hygienic conditions and the hot climate were found to be important predisposing factors. A close association between chromium hyper sensitivity and cement eczema was demonstrated that is affected by the sweating condition, the atopic background and the use of chrome-tanned foot-wear