Noise Exposure in Small-Scale Grinding Mill Operators in Zimbabwe

Many developing countries have experienced an increase in the number of Small Scale Enterprises (SSE). Workers in these SSE are exposed to a myriad of occupational health and safety hazards. Noise has been identified as one of these hazards. One of the adverse health effects of noise exposure is Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) or hearing impairment. The magnitude of NIHL is normally a function of the noise level and the period of exposure. This book gives an insight on the prevailing noise levels in small scale grinding mills in Bulawayo , the second largest city in Zimbabwe. It also looks at the the working shifts and noise control measures in place at these grinding mills and the consequent potential for cases of NIHL. The findings should be useful to SSE operators, Health and Safety statutory bodies and Workers Compensation funds.